Parks of Alexandra Headland

Nelson Park

Stretching between Mari and Okinja Roads, Nelson Park was created in 1979 from a parcel of low lying land gifted by the Presybterian Church.

It was named after Norman Nelson – a founding youth leader of the Presbyterian Church who had pursued the vision to purchase the lands for the Church from the estate of Thomas O’Connor.  

This park was re-gazetted as a reserve for drainage purposes in 1989 with a retardation basin covering one third of the park. It has great facilities including an upgraded securely fenced and sheltered children’s playground, with BBQ and picnic shelters inside the fence. 

One island features the Sisters by Choice bronze sculpture featuring a black swan (the emblem of Maroochydore) and an egret (the symbol of Xiamen, the Sunshine Coast's sister city in China.  They are taking off in flight, symbolising the Sunshine Coast and Xiamen's co-operative relationship.

The other island is accessible by bridge to a Rotunda and there is a walking path around the shallow lake which is fed by runoff from surrounding creeks and drains.

The park has a variety of bird life including black swans, egrets, shags, fantails, pacific black ducks, ibis coots, dusky swamp hens, Australian wood ducks, grebes, Australian darters, and doves.  There is abundant life in the water, too, with eels and barramundi and tadpoles and frogs. The water lilys provide cover for water life to hide and dragon flys to land.

Since 2014 Nelson Park has been home to the Alex Community Garden.  

In 2018 a "First 5 Forever Story seat" was installed. The seat is very colourful and features artwork from the book ‘Josephine Wants to Dance’. It’s part of a series of similar seats across the region.

Alex Forest Conservation Park

This is a beautiful remnant of the coast forest that once extended from the Buderim hilltop to the sea.

This park features a pleasant walking track, bridges, seating and species identification plates. 

You can enter from either the end of Oloway Crescent, Mari Street, or Tranquil Place.

Buhk Family Park

Located on the northern side of Alex Surf Club, Buhk Park was named in 1986 in honour of the Buhk Family. William Frederick Karl Buhk or "Old Bill" was one of the 24 founding members of the Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club, and his son Bill who became a life member after years of service.

The park was included in the foreshore improvements opened in 2015 and is adjacent to the Alex Skate Park.

Wilkes Family Park

Also named in honour of longstanding members of the Surf Lifesaving Club - the Wilkes family from Woombye. Whilst two of the Wilkes boys were founding members, all five brothers and two sisters were active early members.

It includes barbecue facilities and an upgraded children’s playground.

Boris Beach Park

Located at the southern end of Alex Beach (between Access 163 & 164) this eroded grassy bank provides some shade and protection for those watching surfers at the Corner.  It’s named after a Holzer Family pet alsation who guarded this area for many years.

Trotter Park

Bounded by Boolarong Cres and Alexandra Parade, this small grassed area is named after Dr Jimmy Trotter who had a practice and residence in Boolarong Crescent for many years. 

The area commemorates the service of soldiers from the 22nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 5th Division who camped here during WWII. 

It also contains the Hooper Pine Tree - a WWI memorial.

Churinga - Alex Bluff Park

This parkland, just south of The Corner, was once an unofficial camping ground, but  in 1972 it was resumed for a Port & Harbour Reserve  and a navigation beacon was erected.

It’s now part of the very popular coastal pathway, for walking and cycling. The northern end was named Churinga Park after the 1974 Churinga Tree Walk Committee (led by Elizabeth Daniels and Betsan Coates of Booloorong fame) that encouraged beautification of the foreshore. A garden was laid out around the base of the light, and the rock wall with steps built to protect the northern part of the Headland - which had been washed away by heavy seas in 1974.

The Bluff Lookout

The Bluff Lookout halfway up the Hill was officially opened in 2005. Developed by Maroochy Council in consultation with Alex Mal Surf Club it is put to good use for monthly surf competitions, and provides a great venue for surf watching.

Bukatilla Barbeques and Rotunda

This popular picnic area with outstanding views of the northern beach was refurbished in 2016.

Conservation Bushland

The area of dense bush opposite Mandin St on the ocean side at the northern end of this park is designated as a Conservation Pest Control Area. It was planted in 1990 in response to the poisoning of a number of pandanus trees.

Alex Bluff Foreshore Park

Picnic Park at the Top of the Headland

Located off Alexandra Parade opposite Buderim Avenue at the top of the Headland, this is arguably the best viewing area in Alex.

With spectacular views of Mooloolaba Bay and out to Old Woman Island, this park was created in 1966 when the intersection of Alexandra Parade and Buderim Avenue was re-aligned, and the original O’Connor Park was resumed.

Off street parking is available and at least five regional memorials are placed on the site, including most recently the ex-HMAS Brisbane memorial.  

The original O’Connor Park shelter or picnic sheds were moved here, and other viewing platforms, toilet block and barbecue areas were added to this public picnic park. 

There is easy access from here to the beginning of the Alex Rocky Foreshore, or to the Cove below.