This surfing and golfing mecca on the Sunshine Coast is home to some of the most notable beaches in the area. With a local population of just over 7,000 people, Coolum Beach is the perfect coastal location for those chasing the laid-back lifestyle of the coast.
While areas like Noosa and Mooloolaba are becoming increasingly popular with international tourists, Coolum Beach remains somewhat shielded from the chaos. With highrise apartment buildings still a rarity, Coolum Beach offers a more laid-back feel than its more more popular neighbours.
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KEY STATISTICS FOR COOLUM
Median apartment price
$395,000
Median apartment rental value
$380
Median house price
$676,000
Median house rental value
$490
Transport
Buses run throughout Coolum Beach and there are plenty of cycling paths.
Things we love…
- The nearby suburb of Maroochydore which is the Sunshine Coasts CBD is currently undergoing a major rejuvenation period with the commencement of earthworks at the 53-hectare ‘Bright City’ CBD. This exciting development is sure to have a positive impact on property prices in neighbouring Coolum Beach.
- The 2nd runway at the Maroochydore airport will improve accessibility and will certainly have a positive impact on Coolum Beach which is a short drive away.
- Coolum Beach boasts some of the best surfing waves on the Sunshine Coast.
- The area has a lively cultural vibe, without being as touristy as its neighbours Noosa and Mooloolaba.
- Limited availability of new apartments has helped to keep demand strong.
But remember that…
- There is not much in the way of public transport during quieter times of the day.
- Coolum Beach is over 25 minutes away from the closest university, University of the Sunshine Coast.
- Job opportunities in Coolum Beach aren’t as prevalent as other coastal suburbs.
Location & Transport
Coolum Beach sits at almost the exact halfway point between Mooloolaba Spit and Noosa Headland. With both popular esplanade strips accessible within less than 20 minutes, access to the Sunshine Coast’s premiere social hubs is easy. The Sunshine Coast airport is only ten-minutes drive from Coolum Beach, providing direct flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland. The Sunshine Motorway and Yandina Coolum Road provide Coolum Beach with great accessibility to the rest of the coast and to Brisbane. A trip from Coolum Beach to the Brisbane CBD by car takes just over an hour and a half.
In terms of public transport, the closest train station is a 25-minute drive away in Nambour, however, local buses do run frequently throughout the suburb, with regular routes to Mooloolaba and Noosa as well. Coolum Beach also offers a slew of bike paths throughout the suburb which provide the most convenient way to get around without a car.
Lifestyle
While there are a few beach-retreat style resorts and holiday parks peppered throughout Coolum Beach, the area consists primarily of locals. This suburb is very popular with families, which make up nearly 59 percent of the population. Coolum Beach is also popular with downsizers, with older couples and singles making up over 21 percent of residents in the area. Freehold homes make up the majority of the property market in Coolum Beach, with under a third of dwellings being apartments or townhouses. While smaller, boutique-style apartment buildings are becoming more popular in this area, separate homes are still fetching a premium price — especially those with ocean views.
Parkland runs adjacent to the beach across the majority of the suburb, with beautiful walking tracks very popular with locals. Stumers Creek provides a great spot for a family afternoon by the water and has an off-leash dog area, so your furry friend feels included too.
Coolum Village provides a range of retail options, amenities and well-know Coolum Surf Club is a great spot for a sunset beer .
Education
As Coolum Beach is popular with families, there are a number of locals schools that service the area. Coolum State School educates students from Prep to Year 6 and is located just off the highway on Yandina Coolum Road. Coolum State High School sits much closer to the beach and down the Peregian Springs end of Coolum Beach on Havana Road East. For those interested in a private high school, Coolum Beach Christian College is located about ten minutes out of town in Yandina.
In terms of tertiary education, the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Sippy Downs campus is just over 25-minutes drive away.
Developments
Development in Coolum Beach is generally rather small scale, with boutique apartment buildings and small townhouse developments being the most common offering over the last few years. There is currently strong demand for luxury apartments in Coolum Beach, with only a limited number of projects available in the area.
Currently, Coolum Beach is experiencing strong sales for new apartments, with most new developments selling out before construction commences. It is expected this demand (predominantly from downsizers) will continue in this sought-after area.
Looking to the future, the Coolum Beach economy is expected to benefit tremendously from the development of the Maroochydore CBD, as are all Sunshine Coast suburbs. This 53-hectare site will be developed over the next 20 years. As a part of this development, there are also plans for a light rail system on the Sunshine Coast, with early-stage plans already in place that could dramatically improve transport connectivity to and from the Coolum Beach area.
