See also information about Memorials

Nelson Park

Preferred entrance and parking is off the end of Katoa Street, but the park stretches between Mari and Okinja Roads.

Created in 1979 from a parcel of low lying land gifted by the Presybterian Church and named after Norman Nelson – a founding youth leader of the Presbyterian Church who had pursued the vision to purchase the lands for the Presbyterian Church from the estate of Thomas O’Connor.   This park was regazetted as a reserve for drainage purposes in 1989 with a retardation basin covering one third of the park.

This park has great facilities including an upgraded secure fenced sheltered children’s playground (2017) 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 symbolizing 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 all 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 swamphens, 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 and is part of a series of similar seats across the region.

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Alex Forest Conservation Park

A beautiful remnant of the coast forest that once extended from the Buderim hilltop to the sea, with a pleasant walking track, bridges, seating and species identification plates.  Take the signed Livistonia Track past a splendid stand of rose gums (Eucalyptus Grandis) and over the creek to a contemplative seat in a grove of cabbage tree palms. (Livistonia Australis)

You can enter from either the end of Oloway Crescent or Mari Street in Alex, with access also from Tranquil Place.see more

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Buhk Family Park

Alexandra Parade (northern side of Surf Club)

Named in 1986 in honour of the Buhk Family, specifically William Frederick Karl Buhk or “Old Bill” who 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.

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Wilkes Family Park

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

A recent overhaul by the SCRC includes a modern refurbishment of the barbecue facilities and an upgraded childrens playground.  Surrounded by car parking.

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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 is named after a Holzer Family pet alsation who guarded this area for many years.

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Trotter Park

Bounded by Boolarong Cres and Alexandra Parade.

This small grassed area is named after Dr Jimmy Trotter who had a doctors practise 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 erected. Now part of the very popular coastal walking and cycling path, the northern end was named Churinga Park after the 1974 Churinga Tree Walk Committee (led by Elizabeth Daniels and Betsan Coates of Booloorong fame) who 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.

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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.

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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.

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Alex Bluff Foreshore Park – or Picnic Park at the Top of the Headland

Alexandra Parade opposite Buderim Avenue at the Top of the Headland.

The best viewing area in Alexandra Headland, with spectacular views of Mooloolaba Bay and out to Old Woman Island, this park at the top of the Hill was created in 1966 when the intersection of Alexandra Parade and Buderim Avenue was re-aligned, and the original O’Connor Park (donated by Thomas O’Connor who began the development of this seaside resort) 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.    Easy access from here to the beginning of the Alex Rocky Foreshore, or to the Cove below Mooloolaba Caravan park.

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