Maroochydore is one of the largest resort towns of Maroochy Shire, Queensland. It sits where the Maroochy river meets the Pacific coast, north of Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba. At the 2006 Australian census the town’s population was 13,707. Maroochydore is also one of the principle commercial centres for the Sunshine Coast, supporting many shops, restaurants and services and providing plenty of employment opportunities. The Maroochydore retail complex the 'Sunshine Plaza' with more than 220 different shops is the largest of its kind anywhere in the Sunshine Coast.

Like nearby Mooloolaba and Coolum, the town began in the 1850s as a timber, transportation and sawmilling centre, supporting the development of Brisbane. In the 1850s and 60s, Salvation Army camps held around the river mouth eventually spawned a resort culture, and all-round access improving with roading projects in the 1960s. It is the resort culture that now has the area thriving and almost swallowing up its neighbours Alexandera Headlands and Mooloolaba to the south.

Education is well catered for families moving to Maroochydore. There are several schools to choose from there, 2 primary, 3 high schools/colleges and 4-5 technical colleges or TAFEs, arts and business schools.