🔍

Mooloolaba

QLD 4557 • Rest of QLD

8,202
Population (2021)
$78,312
Median Household Income
4.00 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeach LifestyleTourist DestinationFamily-FriendlyRetiree Popular

About Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba is a popular beachside suburb on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, located approximately 95 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of around 8,200 residents, it features a mix of permanent residents, retirees, and a vibrant holiday-maker community. The suburb enjoys a subtropical climate with warm weather year-round and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere and welcoming community.

The suburb offers an enviable beach lifestyle with its famous patrolled beach, the Mooloolaba Esplanade, SEA LIFE aquarium, and excellent dining and café options. It attracts young professionals, families, and retirees who enjoy the waterfront lifestyle, with easy access to Underwater World, local markets, and boutique shopping. The area is well-serviced with a Coles supermarket and a variety of restaurants along the esplanade.

Mooloolaba falls under postcode 4557 and is governed by Sunshine Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Maroochydore electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4557
Urban Area
Maroochy
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fisher
State Electorate
Maroochydore
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.69°, 153.12°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
4.00 km²
Elevation
4m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,762
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.4%

150 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Landsborough
18 km
Sunshine Coast Line (QR)
Woombye
12 km
Sunshine Coast Line (QR)
Nambour
15 km
Sunshine Coast Line (QR)

Bus Services

  • 600 — Maroochydore, Caloundra 20-40 min
  • 615 — Landsborough Station 35 min
  • 610 — Nambour 30 min

Commute to Brisbane

Distance
95 km
By Train
2h 15min (train + connecting bus)
By Car (Peak)
1h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 15min

🛣️ No direct train - bus to Landsborough then train to Brisbane

Walkability Very Walkable

Excellent walkability along esplanade and beach area; most daily errands possible on foot

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Mooloolaba Street & Venning Street Mooloolaba 4557 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, which contains Mooloolaba. 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
7,730
Census 2021
8,202
▲ 6.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$35,152
Personal Income 2021
$43,836
▲ 24.7% 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
$43,836 / yr
$843/wk
Household
$78,312 / yr
$1506/wk
Family
$104,364 / yr
$2007/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

⚖️ Compare Mooloolaba With

🏘️Noosa Heads
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,649
Born Overseas 2,091

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 501
  • 2. England 419
  • 3. India 101
  • 4. South Africa 95
  • 5. Brazil 77
  • 6. Philippines 62
  • 7. United States 62
  • 8. Canada 53
  • 9. Nepal 45
  • 10. Germany 42

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,656
Australian 2,546
Irish 1,120
Scottish 990
German 496
Italian 282
New Zealander 153
Dutch 152
Australian Aboriginal 136
Indian 104

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,345
Both parents born in Australia
2,344
Both parents born overseas
1,024
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
46.4%
Christianity
42.9%
Hinduism
1.4%
Buddhism
1.1%
Islam
0.5%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
304 (3.7%)
5-14 years
782 (9.5%)
15-19 years
354 (4.3%)
20-24 years
463 (5.6%)
25-34 years
1,169 (14.3%)
35-44 years
1,062 (12.9%)
45-54 years
1,069 (13.0%)
55-64 years
1,225 (14.9%)
65-74 years
1,121 (13.7%)
75-84 years
499 (6.1%)
85+ years
152 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mooloolaba known for? +

Mooloolaba is known for its beautiful surf beach, vibrant Esplanade strip lined with cafes and restaurants, the SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast aquarium, and being one of the Sunshine Coast's most popular visitor and residential destinations. The town has a fantastic weather and ocean lifestyle.

How far is Mooloolaba from Brisbane? +

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

Does Mooloolaba have public transport? +

Mooloolaba is served by Sunshine Coast bus routes connecting to Maroochydore and surrounding areas. The Nambour train station provides the nearest rail access to Brisbane.

What is the population of Mooloolaba? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mooloolaba has a population of approximately 8,202 residents within the Sunshine Coast Council local government area.

Is Mooloolaba a good place to live? +

Mooloolaba is one of Queensland's most desirable coastal addresses, offering world-class beach access, an active outdoor lifestyle, excellent dining, and the vibrant Sunshine Coast community. It suits those who prioritise beachside living, though property prices reflect its premium status.

What is the postcode for Mooloolaba? +

The postcode for Mooloolaba is 4557.

What is the average income in Mooloolaba? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Mooloolaba is about $843 per week (around $43,800 per year). The median household income is $1,506 per week and the median family income is $2,007 per week.

What is the age profile of Mooloolaba? +

The median age in Mooloolaba is 44. The largest age group is 55–64 (1,225 residents, around 15%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Mooloolaba a safe area? +

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

In Mooloolaba, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,762 (2021 Census).