🔍

Caloundra

QLD 4551 • Rest of QLD

3,932
Population (2021)
$50,960
Median Household Income
3.31 km²
Area
$360/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirement-FriendlyTourism HubSunshine CoastBeachside

About Caloundra

Caloundra is a coastal suburb and the central business district of the Caloundra urban centre on the southern Sunshine Coast in Queensland, approximately 95 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of around 3,932, it serves as the commercial and cultural heart of the broader Caloundra area. The suburb sits on a headland overlooking the Coral Sea, with Bribie Island just 200 metres offshore, and its name derives from the Kabi language.

Bulcock Street forms the main shopping strip, offering a charming mix of boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and essential services. The suburb boasts multiple beaches including Bulcock Beach, Kings Beach, and nearby Moffat Beach, making it a magnet for tourists and lifestyle seekers. Caloundra attracts retirees, young families, and sea-changers from Brisbane who want coastal living with good amenities, a vibrant arts scene, and a relaxed Sunshine Coast atmosphere without the bustle of the Gold Coast.

Caloundra falls under postcode 4551 and is governed by Sunshine Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Caloundra electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4551
Urban Area
Caloundra
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fisher
State Electorate
Caloundra
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.80°, 153.13°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.31 km²
Elevation
10m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$360
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,600
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
58 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.6%

155 state housing + 35 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Landsborough
18 km
Sunshine Coast (Nambour) Line
Beerwah
22 km
Sunshine Coast (Nambour) Line

Bus Services

  • 600 — Maroochydore via Mooloolaba (high frequency) 55-65 min
  • 605 — Landsborough Station 30-35 min
  • 607 — Caloundra West & Bells Creek 15-20 min
  • 602/603/604 — Local Caloundra area services 10-25 min

Commute to Brisbane

Distance
95 km
By Train
1h 45min - 2h (bus to Landsborough + train)
By Car (Peak)
1h 30min - 1h 45min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 10min - 1h 20min

🛣️ No direct train to Caloundra; bus 605 connects to Landsborough station for QR Sunshine Coast Line trains to Brisbane. Route 600 is the main coastal bus service.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Bulcock Street CBD and beachfront are very walkable; outer residential areas require a car for shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Sunland Shopping Centre Cnr Bowen Avenue & First Avenue Caloundra 4551 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, which contains Caloundra. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
329.4 / 100k
2yr Down 17.9% 10yr Down 30.4%
Motor vehicle theft
167.5 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 28.8%
Non-FV assault
473.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 152.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
13.8 / 100k
2yr Down 20.0% 10yr Up 12.7%
Steal from vehicle
314.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.3% 10yr Down 26.9%
View all offence categories for Sunshine Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,917
Census 2021
3,932
▲ 0.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,584
Personal Income 2021
$30,368
▲ 18.7% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$30,368 / yr
$584/wk
Household
$50,960 / yr
$980/wk
Family
$71,396 / yr
$1373/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,787
Born Overseas 856

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 217
  • 2. New Zealand 207
  • 3. Scotland 36
  • 4. Nepal 26
  • 5. United States 26
  • 6. South Africa 21
  • 7. Germany 20
  • 8. India 18
  • 9. Philippines 18
  • 10. Canada 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,746
Australian 1,295
Irish 534
Scottish 469
German 245
Australian Aboriginal 99
Italian 67
Dutch 60
New Zealander 58
Welsh 37

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,238
Both parents born in Australia
950
Both parents born overseas
434
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.3%
No Religion
38.8%
Buddhism
1.0%
Hinduism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.3%
Islam
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
103 (2.6%)
5-14 years
236 (6.0%)
15-19 years
156 (4.0%)
20-24 years
162 (4.1%)
25-34 years
347 (8.8%)
35-44 years
347 (8.8%)
45-54 years
447 (11.4%)
55-64 years
632 (16.1%)
65-74 years
673 (17.1%)
75-84 years
546 (13.9%)
85+ years
285 (7.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Caloundra known for? +

Caloundra is known for its multiple patrolled beaches including Bulcock Beach and Kings Beach, its charming Bulcock Street shopping and café strip, and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland views from its elevated position. It is a popular retirement and tourism destination on the southern Sunshine Coast.

How far is Caloundra from Brisbane? +

Caloundra is approximately 95 kilometres north of Brisbane CBD, a drive of about an hour via the Bruce Highway.

Does Caloundra have public transport? +

Caloundra is served by Sunshine Coast Transit bus routes with connections to Maroochydore and Landsborough railway station. The planned Sunshine Coast Mass Transit project will improve connectivity further.

What is the population of Caloundra? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 3,932 residents in Caloundra itself, though the broader Caloundra urban area has a significantly larger population. The suburb is the commercial and civic hub for the southern Sunshine Coast.

Is Caloundra a good place to live? +

Caloundra offers an excellent lifestyle for retirees, families, and beach lovers who want a coastal town with full urban services just an hour from Brisbane. Its mix of beaches, dining, natural scenery, and community events makes it one of the Sunshine Coast's most popular residential areas.

What is the postcode for Caloundra? +

The postcode for Caloundra is 4551, covering the Caloundra urban area on Queensland's southern Sunshine Coast.

What is the average income in Caloundra? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Caloundra is about $584 per week (around $30,400 per year). The median household income is $980 per week and the median family income is $1,373 per week.

What is the age profile of Caloundra? +

The median age in Caloundra is 58. The largest age group is 65–74 (673 residents, around 17%). Around 13% of residents are under 20 and about 38% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Caloundra a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Caloundra is part of the Sunshine Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Caloundra? +

In Caloundra, the median weekly rent is $360, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,600 (2021 Census).