The Mooloolah River flows through the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, approximately one hour and fifteen minutes north of Brisbane, passing through Mooloolaba and the surrounding suburbs before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The river offers a genuine "choose your own adventure" character, with distinctly different experiences depending on which direction paddlers head from their launch point.

Heading upstream, the river transitions from suburban waterways into a quieter natural corridor, with national park on one side and bush reserve on the other once paddlers pass under Kawana Way. A 6-kilometre section of the river adjoins Mooloolah River National Park, protecting remnants of coastal lowland habitat. The muddy mangrove banks along this stretch support a wide variety of birdlife, with recorded sightings including Pied Oystercatcher, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Striated Heron, Pied Cormorant, White-faced Heron, and Sacred Kingfisher. Heading downstream, paddlers can explore a network of canals around Mooloolaba and Minyama, passing luxury waterfront homes, marinas, wharves, and parks.

The river is considered suitable for intermediate kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, with a mix of calm and more challenging sections. Beginners may find the upstream sections more manageable, while the full river experience warrants some prior paddling experience.

Several launch points are available. The Outrigger Island boat ramp at Minyama, off Brisbane Road, provides access to the upper river and has undergone significant upgrades including car-trailer parking. Additional boat ramps are located at La Balsa Park in Buddina (at the intersection of Harbour Parade and Adaluma Avenue) and at Parkyn Parade in Mooloolaba. A new all-abilities pontoon has been planned for Charles Clarke Park in Mooloolaba, designed specifically for non-motorised craft and intended to provide DDA-compliant access to the Mooloolah River kayak trail.

Guided cultural canoe tours operate on the river in partnership with First Nations guides, departing from The Wharf at Mooloolaba on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am. These tours cover approximately 2 kilometres upstream into the mangrove ecosystems, exploring how the landscape was traditionally used for hunting and foraging. The tours use two- and three-person canoes with adaptive equipment available, and are open to participants aged 12 and above.

Paddlers should be aware of commercial fishing vessels, marina traffic, and other motorised watercraft operating in the lower river and harbour areas near Mooloolaba.