🔍

Golden Beach

QLD 4551 • Rest of QLD

5,646
Population (2021)
$60,008
Median Household Income
2.82 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirementFamily-FriendlyWaterfrontLifestyle

About Golden Beach

Golden Beach is a coastal suburb of Caloundra on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, approximately 97 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of 5,646 and a median age of 55, it is a popular retirement and lifestyle destination. The suburb stretches along the Pumicestone Passage, offering calm waterfront living with views across to Bribie Island. Golden Beach is part of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and covers an area of 4.2 square kilometres.

The suburb is known for its tranquil waterfront setting along Pumicestone Passage, which provides excellent fishing, kayaking, and walking along the esplanade. Golden Beach has a small shopping village with essential services, while the Caloundra CBD is just 2 kilometres away for more extensive shopping and dining. The area attracts retirees and downsizers with its relaxed pace of life, as well as families who appreciate the safe swimming beaches and proximity to schools. Pelican Waters golf course and the Caloundra Indoor Stadium are nearby recreational highlights.

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

📍 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
-26.82°, 153.12°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
2.82 km²
Elevation
4m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,907
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
55 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 609 — Caloundra to Landsborough Station 25-30 min
  • 615 — Caloundra to Mooloolaba 45 min

Commute to Brisbane

Distance
97 km
By Train
~90 min (bus to Landsborough + train)
By Bus
~2 hours
By Car (Peak)
75-90 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ Nearest train station is Landsborough (~15 km). Bus connects to Landsborough for Sunshine Coast Line trains to Brisbane. Direct bus services also available.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The local shopping village and waterfront esplanade are walkable, but a car is needed for most services in Caloundra and beyond.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, which contains Golden 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
5,575
Census 2021
5,646
▲ 1.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,496
Personal Income 2021
$34,216
▲ 20.1% 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
$34,216 / yr
$658/wk
Household
$60,008 / yr
$1154/wk
Family
$77,428 / yr
$1489/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,369
Born Overseas 918

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 289
  • 2. New Zealand 212
  • 3. South Africa 43
  • 4. Scotland 33
  • 5. Philippines 30
  • 6. Germany 29
  • 7. Netherlands 21
  • 8. Thailand 14
  • 9. United States 14
  • 10. Canada 13

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,646
Australian 2,020
Irish 792
Scottish 746
German 412
Italian 130
Australian Aboriginal 116
Dutch 106
New Zealander 82
Welsh 43

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,556
Both parents born in Australia
1,091
Both parents born overseas
666
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.1%
No Religion
38.8%
Buddhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.1%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
168 (3.0%)
5-14 years
494 (8.7%)
15-19 years
244 (4.3%)
20-24 years
184 (3.3%)
25-34 years
369 (6.5%)
35-44 years
568 (10.1%)
45-54 years
735 (13.0%)
55-64 years
858 (15.2%)
65-74 years
1,025 (18.2%)
75-84 years
707 (12.5%)
85+ years
295 (5.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Golden Beach known for? +

Golden Beach is known for its calm Pumicestone Passage waterway, excellent fishing and sailing, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle near Caloundra on the southern Sunshine Coast. The suburb is popular with retirees and families who value watersports and beach access.

How far is Golden Beach from Brisbane? +

Golden Beach is approximately 90 kilometres north of Brisbane, with a drive time of around 85-95 minutes via the Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway.

Does Golden Beach have public transport? +

Golden Beach is served by Sunshine Coast bus routes connecting to Caloundra and the broader coastal network. The nearest train is at Landsborough or Beerwah.

What is the population of Golden Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Golden Beach has a population of approximately 5,646 residents within the Sunshine Coast Council local government area.

Is Golden Beach a good place to live? +

Golden Beach offers a peaceful, relaxed coastal lifestyle on the Pumicestone Passage with excellent fishing, sailing, and waterway access. It is popular with retirees and families seeking affordable southern Sunshine Coast living.

What is the postcode for Golden Beach? +

The postcode for Golden Beach is 4551.

What is the average income in Golden Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Golden Beach is about $658 per week (around $34,200 per year). The median household income is $1,154 per week and the median family income is $1,489 per week.

What is the age profile of Golden Beach? +

The median age in Golden Beach is 55. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,025 residents, around 18%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 36% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Golden Beach a safe area? +

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

In Golden Beach, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,907 (2021 Census).