🔍

Mount Coolum

QLD 4573 • Rest of QLD

4,545
Population (2021)
$87,880
Median Household Income
5.00 km²
Area
$450/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeach LifestyleNational ParkSunshine CoastScenic

About Mount Coolum

Mount Coolum is a coastal suburb on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, 115 kilometres north of Brisbane and 17 kilometres north of Maroochydore. Named after the distinctive 207-metre volcanic dome at its centre, the suburb is home to approximately 4,500 residents. The mountain, protected within Mount Coolum National Park, is a popular hiking destination offering panoramic coastal views.

The suburb offers a relaxed beach lifestyle with direct access to sandy beaches along the Coral Sea. The Sunshine Motorway provides easy access to Maroochydore and Brisbane, while nearby Coolum Beach offers cafes, restaurants, and surf culture. Mount Coolum attracts families, retirees, and sea-changers seeking quality coastal living. The area combines natural beauty with convenient access to the Sunshine Coast's amenities, schools, and the expanding Sunshine Coast Airport.

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

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4573
Urban Area
Maroochy
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fairfax
State Electorate
Maroochydore
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.56°, 153.08°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
5.00 km²
Elevation
108m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$450
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,863
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.9%

40 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Sunbus routes — Coolum Beach, Maroochydore, Nambour 20-30 mins to Maroochydore

Commute to Brisbane

Distance
115 km
By Train
No train - bus to Nambour then train (~2.5 hours total)
By Bus
Not practical for Brisbane commute
By Car (Peak)
90-120 mins via Bruce Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
75-90 mins via Bruce Highway

🛣️ Most residents work locally or in Maroochydore (17km). Sunshine Coast Airport 15km south.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Beach and hiking trails accessible on foot. Shopping requires car for most residents.

🛒 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 Mount Coolum. 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
4,265
Census 2021
4,545
▲ 6.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,320
Personal Income 2021
$42,016
▲ 22.4% 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
$42,016 / yr
$808/wk
Household
$87,880 / yr
$1690/wk
Family
$109,200 / yr
$2100/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,478
Born Overseas 853

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 264
  • 2. New Zealand 148
  • 3. South Africa 60
  • 4. Canada 39
  • 5. Germany 30
  • 6. Scotland 30
  • 7. United States 23
  • 8. Papua New Guinea 15
  • 9. India 13
  • 10. Brazil 12

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,108
Australian 1,680
Irish 654
Scottish 598
German 318
Italian 120
Dutch 114
Australian Aboriginal 75
Welsh 52
New Zealander 49

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,633
Both parents born in Australia
1,033
Both parents born overseas
648
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
53.0%
Christianity
38.3%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.4%
Judaism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
238 (5.2%)
5-14 years
525 (11.6%)
15-19 years
253 (5.6%)
20-24 years
186 (4.1%)
25-34 years
474 (10.4%)
35-44 years
649 (14.3%)
45-54 years
748 (16.5%)
55-64 years
644 (14.2%)
65-74 years
488 (10.7%)
75-84 years
249 (5.5%)
85+ years
86 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Coolum known for? +

Mount Coolum is known for the Coolum Rock (Mount Coolum), an ancient volcanic plug that provides a popular hiking trail with panoramic Sunshine Coast views, and for Coolum Beach, a popular surf beach. The suburb also has the Hyatt Regency resort and is close to Sunshine Coast Airport.

How far is Mount Coolum from Brisbane? +

Mount Coolum is approximately 115 kilometres north of Brisbane, about a 90-minute drive via the Sunshine Motorway. Maroochydore (approximately 17 km south) is the main regional centre, and Sunshine Coast Airport is approximately 15 km away.

Does Mount Coolum have public transport? +

Mount Coolum has Sunbus services connecting to Maroochydore and Noosa. There is no direct train; residents typically drive to Nambour (approximately 20 km west) for Sunshine Coast Line rail services to Brisbane. A car is the most practical option.

What is the population of Mount Coolum? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mount Coolum has a population of approximately 4,545 residents, a coastal community with a mix of permanent residents, retirees, and holiday visitors.

Is Mount Coolum a good place to live? +

Mount Coolum offers a desirable coastal lifestyle with the unique backdrop of the Coolum Rock, a surf beach, and easy access to Sunshine Coast Airport and Maroochydore's amenities. It particularly suits retirees, families, and those who work on the Sunshine Coast or can work remotely.

What is the postcode for Mount Coolum? +

The postcode for Mount Coolum, QLD is 4573.

What is the average income in Mount Coolum? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Mount Coolum is about $808 per week (around $42,000 per year). The median household income is $1,690 per week and the median family income is $2,100 per week.

What is the age profile of Mount Coolum? +

The median age in Mount Coolum is 44. The largest age group is 45–54 (748 residents, around 16%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Mount Coolum a safe area? +

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

In Mount Coolum, the median weekly rent is $450, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,863 (2021 Census).