The area is noted for its diverse environment and is one of Queensland's top five ecotourism destinations.[3]
Geography
Currimundi is located on the northern boundary of the Caloundra area.[4]
Currimundi Lake is a saltwater lake situated beside Currimundi Beach. North of the lake is the Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park. Nicklin Way, the main road between Caloundra and Maroochydore, crosses Ahern Bridge over Currimundi Lake. The Ahern Bridge was named after John Ahern, a firefighter who saved many lives and won a bravery award. Currimundi attracts many tourists in the holidays and the beach is patrolled by Surf Life Saving Australia on weekends and school holidays.[5]
The shopping centre at Currimundi is called the Currimundi Markets.[6]
The area has a high degree of biodiversity and includes coastal heath, open forest, woodland, low closed forest with rainforest species, sedgeland and casuarina dune plant communities.[18]
Currimundi Lake is recognised by the Sunshine Coast Region Council as an important coastal asset for both the community and the local wildlife, and so regular maintenance is undertaken in order to protect waterways and manage erosion.[19] Furthermore two local community groups, Currimundi Catchment Care Group Inc and Friends of Currimundi Lake work in cooperation and with the Sunshine Coast Council to improve the Currimundi Catchment and care for the environment.[20]
In 2004 Currimundi won the annual "Queensland's Cleanest Beach" award.[4]
In 2023 Currimundi Lake was identified as one of Queensland's top five 'ecotourism' destinations, having experienced a 325% increase in visitors post the COVID-19 Pandemic.[3]
In popular culture
The lake features in a children's book, The Oobleegooblers of Lake Curramundi by Kath Dewhurst, published in 1977, which is based on a local Aboriginal story.[21]