🔍

Coolum Beach

QLD 4573 • Rest of QLD

9,152
Population (2021)
$83,200
Median Household Income
27.32 km²
Area
$450/wk
Median Rent
CoastalSurfingFamily-FriendlyNatural BeautyRelaxed Lifestyle

About Coolum Beach

Coolum Beach is a picturesque coastal town on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, located 118 kilometres north of Brisbane and 27 kilometres northeast of Nambour. With a population of over 9,100 residents, it combines relaxed beachside living with natural beauty, dominated by the iconic Mount Coolum rising 208 metres in the south. The town's name derives from the indigenous Kabi Kabi word 'gulum' meaning 'blunt' or 'headless', referencing the mountain's distinctive shape.

Life in Coolum Beach revolves around the ocean, surf culture, and outdoor recreation. The patrolled beach is popular with families and surfers, while walking trails through Mount Coolum National Park attract bushwalkers. The town has a thriving café culture, local markets, and hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Schools include Coolum State School and Coolum State High School. Coolum attracts retirees, young families, and sea-changers seeking an affordable Sunshine Coast lifestyle away from busier tourist areas.

Coolum Beach falls under postcode 4573 and is governed by Sunshine Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ninderry electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4573
Urban Area
Maroochy
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fairfax
State Electorate
Ninderry
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.53°, 153.07°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
27.32 km²
Elevation
3m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$450
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,000
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
45 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.6%

85 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Nambour
18 km
Sunshine Coast Line to Brisbane

Bus Services

  • 620, 622 — Maroochydore/Nambour via coast 25 min to Maroochydore
  • 631 — Noosa via coastal route 40 min to Noosa Heads

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
118 km
By Train
2.5-3 hours (bus to Nambour then train)
By Bus
3+ hours via connections
By Car (Peak)
1.5-2 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5 hours

🛣️ No direct train; most commuters to Brisbane drive or work remotely. Local employment in tourism and trades.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Village centre walkable with shops, cafés, and beach access; car helpful for wider area

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    South Coolum Road Coolum Beach 4573 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, which contains Coolum Beach. 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
8,497
Census 2021
9,152
▲ 7.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,592
Personal Income 2021
$39,988
▲ 19.0% 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
$39,988 / yr
$769/wk
Household
$83,200 / yr
$1600/wk
Family
$102,856 / yr
$1978/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 7,085
Born Overseas 1,665

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 464
  • 2. New Zealand 348
  • 3. South Africa 78
  • 4. Germany 64
  • 5. Scotland 64
  • 6. United States 61
  • 7. Brazil 41
  • 8. Canada 36
  • 9. Ireland 32
  • 10. France 30

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 4,266
Australian 3,254
Irish 1,372
Scottish 1,254
German 601
Italian 309
Dutch 211
Australian Aboriginal 167
New Zealander 105
French 92

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,421
Both parents born in Australia
1,986
Both parents born overseas
1,310
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.1%
Christianity
40.7%
Buddhism
1.0%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
443 (4.8%)
5-14 years
1,064 (11.6%)
15-19 years
494 (5.4%)
20-24 years
366 (4.0%)
25-34 years
893 (9.8%)
35-44 years
1,248 (13.6%)
45-54 years
1,350 (14.8%)
55-64 years
1,338 (14.6%)
65-74 years
1,126 (12.3%)
75-84 years
567 (6.2%)
85+ years
262 (2.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coolum Beach known for? +

Coolum Beach is known for its spectacular surf beach, the iconic Mount Coolum National Park (an ancient volcanic plug great for hiking), a vibrant café and restaurant strip on Beach Road, and the relaxed coastal community vibe of the Sunshine Coast.

How far is Coolum Beach from Brisbane? +

Coolum Beach is approximately 100 kilometres north of Brisbane CBD, with a drive time of around 90-100 minutes via the Sunshine Motorway.

Does Coolum Beach have public transport? +

Coolum Beach is served by Sunshine Coast bus routes connecting to Maroochydore and other centres. The Nambour train station (approximately 20 km) provides rail connections to Brisbane.

What is the population of Coolum Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Coolum Beach has a population of approximately 9,152 residents within the Sunshine Coast Council local government area.

Is Coolum Beach a good place to live? +

Coolum Beach is one of the Sunshine Coast's most desirable beachside communities, offering a surf beach lifestyle, Mount Coolum walks, vibrant café scene, and a welcoming coastal community. It suits families, retirees, and those seeking a relaxed Queensland beach lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Coolum Beach? +

The postcode for Coolum Beach is 4573.

What is the average income in Coolum Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Coolum Beach is about $769 per week (around $40,000 per year). The median household income is $1,600 per week and the median family income is $1,978 per week.

What is the age profile of Coolum Beach? +

The median age in Coolum Beach is 45. The largest age group is 45–54 (1,350 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Coolum Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Coolum Beach 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 Coolum Beach? +

In Coolum Beach, the median weekly rent is $450, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,000 (2021 Census).