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Cooloola Cove

QLD 4580 • Rest of QLD

2,921
Population (2021)
$42,016
Median Household Income
13.53 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirement FriendlyAffordableRelaxedRegional
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About Cooloola Cove

Cooloola Cove is a coastal locality in the Gympie Region, located 228 km north of Brisbane and 52 km northeast of Gympie in the Wide Bay-Burnett region. With a population of around 2,900 and a median age of 60+, it is popular with retirees and sea-changers seeking an affordable coastal lifestyle. Owner-occupancy is high at 77%, with predominantly detached houses and a family/single household mix.

The suburb offers a relaxed, low-key coastal atmosphere near Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Strait. Residents enjoy access to local parks including Centenary Of Federation Park with BBQ facilities. The Veterans & Community Hall serves as a social hub and houses a memorial wall for Vietnam War veterans. Nearby Tin Can Bay provides schools, shops, and the famous wild dolphin feeding experience. For extensive shopping and services, Gympie is a 30-minute drive.

Cooloola Cove falls under postcode 4580 and is governed by the Gympie Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wide Bay, while state elections fall under the Gympie electorate.

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📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4580
Urban Area
Cooloola
LGA / Council
Gympie
Federal Electorate
Wide Bay
State Electorate
Gympie
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.99°, 152.99°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
13.53 km²
Population Density
216 /km²
Elevation
22m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4580

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4580, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$28,976
Median 2023–24
$37,833
▲ 30.6% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$51,097

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4580; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$20,956
Personal Income 2021
$22,516
▲ 7.4% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

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

Personal
$22,516 / yr
$433/wk
Household
$42,016 / yr
$808/wk
Family
$47,788 / yr
$919/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,172
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
62 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Gympie North
52 km
North Coast Line (limited services)

Bus Services

  • Cooloola Connect — Gympie 50-60 min

Commute to Gympie

Distance
52 km
By Bus
50-60 min (limited service)
By Car (Peak)
35-40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30-35 min

🛣️ Regional area with limited public transport; car essential; Brisbane is 2.5 hours by car

Walkability Car-Dependent

Limited local amenities; Tin Can Bay nearby for essentials; car required for most activities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Cnr Nautilus And Queen Elizabeth Drives Cooloola Cove 4580 QLD

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,633
Census 2021
2,921
▲ 10.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
565 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.2%
Motor vehicle theft
340.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 116.8%
Non-FV assault
646.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 47.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.5 / 100k
2yr Down 56.6% 10yr Up 328.2%
Steal from vehicle
406.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 74.9%
View all offence categories for Gympie →

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,207
Born Overseas 462

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 179
  • 2. New Zealand 95
  • 3. Philippines 26
  • 4. Germany 20
  • 5. South Africa 20
  • 6. Netherlands 19
  • 7. Scotland 15
  • 8. Ireland 11
  • 9. Italy 8
  • 10. United States 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,305
Australian 1,090
Irish 353
Scottish 317
German 232
Australian Aboriginal 131
Dutch 54
Italian 46
Filipino 30
Maori 28

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

1,857
Both parents born in Australia
548
Both parents born overseas
265
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.0%
No Religion
40.0%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.1%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
85 (2.9%)
5-14 years
216 (7.4%)
15-19 years
108 (3.7%)
20-24 years
51 (1.7%)
25-34 years
151 (5.2%)
35-44 years
200 (6.8%)
45-54 years
321 (11.0%)
55-64 years
526 (18.0%)
65-74 years
852 (29.2%)
75-84 years
368 (12.6%)
85+ years
54 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cooloola Cove known for? +

Cooloola Cove is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere close to Tin Can Bay, the Great Sandy Strait, and the Great Sandy National Park. The area is popular with retirees and lifestyle seekers drawn to its affordable waterfront proximity.

How far is Cooloola Cove from Brisbane? +

Cooloola Cove is approximately 228 kilometres north of Brisbane, a drive of about 2.5 hours via the Bruce Highway.

Does Cooloola Cove have public transport? +

Cooloola Cove has limited public transport, with bus connections to Gympie. For most daily needs, a private vehicle is required. Gympie railway station is the nearest rail connection to Brisbane.

What is the population of Cooloola Cove? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 2,921 residents in Cooloola Cove, an established coastal locality in the Gympie Regional Council area.

Is Cooloola Cove a good place to live? +

Cooloola Cove is popular with retirees and those seeking affordable coastal living within a natural setting near the Great Sandy Strait. The nearby dolphins of Tin Can Bay and access to the national park add to its appeal.

What is the postcode for Cooloola Cove? +

The postcode for Cooloola Cove is 4580, covering the Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove area of the Gympie Region.

What is the average income in Cooloola Cove? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cooloola Cove is about $433 per week (around $22,500 per year). The median household income is $808 per week and the median family income is $919 per week.

What is the age profile of Cooloola Cove? +

The median age in Cooloola Cove is 62. The largest age group is 65–74 (852 residents, around 29%). Around 14% of residents are under 20 and about 44% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cooloola Cove a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Cooloola Cove is part of the Gympie 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 Cooloola Cove? +

In Cooloola Cove, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,172 (2021 Census).