🔍

Palmwoods

QLD 4555 • Rest of QLD

6,357
Population (2021)
$90,376
Median Household Income
23.88 km²
Area
$430/wk
Median Rent
HinterlandTrain AccessVillage CharacterRuralScenic

About Palmwoods

Palmwoods is a picturesque hinterland town on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, located 8 kilometres south of Nambour and about 103 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of around 6,400, this charming village takes its name from the Piccabeen Palm groves that once dominated the area. Nestled in rolling green hills just 15 minutes from the beach and the scenic Blackall Range, Palmwoods offers the best of both worlds—rural tranquility with coastal accessibility.

The town retains a genuine village atmosphere with boutique shops, cafes serving excellent coffee, and the famous milkshakes and burgers that draw visitors from across the region. Palmwoods railway station on the North Coast Line provides direct connections to Brisbane and Gympie, making commuting feasible. The surrounding area features pineapple farms, the Eudlo Creek National Park, and easy access to hinterland attractions like Montville. The suburb attracts families, tree-changers, and those seeking a slower pace of life without sacrificing convenience.

Palmwoods falls under postcode 4555 and is governed by Sunshine Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Nicklin electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4555
Urban Area
Maroochy
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fisher
State Electorate
Nicklin
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.69°, 152.96°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
23.88 km²
Elevation
29m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$430
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,878
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
43 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Eudlo
4 km
Not walkable
Woombye
4.5 km
Not walkable
Nambour
8.4 km
Not walkable

Bus Services

  • 631 — Nambour to Landsborough via Palmwoods 20 min to Nambour
  • 615 — Maroochydore connection Varies

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
103 km
By Train
1 hr 50 min to Roma Street
By Car (Peak)
1.5-2 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 15 min

🛣️ Train upgrade planned with Palmwoods station improvements. Direct line to Brisbane with beautiful scenery.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Town centre is walkable but most residents need a car for shopping and school runs.

🛒 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 Palmwoods. 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
5,676
Census 2021
6,357
▲ 12.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,564
Personal Income 2021
$38,792
▲ 22.9% 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
$38,792 / yr
$746/wk
Household
$90,376 / yr
$1738/wk
Family
$103,532 / yr
$1991/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,981
Born Overseas 1,108

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 395
  • 2. New Zealand 234
  • 3. South Africa 52
  • 4. United States 37
  • 5. Ireland 31
  • 6. Germany 21
  • 7. Philippines 21
  • 8. Scotland 21
  • 9. Zimbabwe 19
  • 10. Canada 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,132
Australian 2,314
Scottish 841
Irish 806
German 473
Italian 147
Australian Aboriginal 141
Dutch 122
New Zealander 89
Chinese 53

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,856
Both parents born in Australia
1,331
Both parents born overseas
853
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.0%
Christianity
44.4%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.1%
Hinduism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
325 (5.1%)
5-14 years
856 (13.5%)
15-19 years
397 (6.2%)
20-24 years
300 (4.7%)
25-34 years
666 (10.5%)
35-44 years
784 (12.3%)
45-54 years
906 (14.3%)
55-64 years
855 (13.4%)
65-74 years
690 (10.9%)
75-84 years
391 (6.2%)
85+ years
174 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Palmwoods known for? +

Palmwoods is known for its charming village character, avocado farming heritage, weekend markets, and position on the Sunshine Coast railway. The village has a thriving community with local cafes, parks, and the iconic Kondalilla National Park nearby.

How far is Palmwoods from Brisbane? +

Palmwoods is approximately 90 kilometres north of Brisbane, with a train journey of around 70-80 minutes from Palmwoods station on the Sunshine Coast Line.

Does Palmwoods have public transport? +

Palmwoods has its own railway station on the Sunshine Coast Line, providing regular services to Brisbane CBD, Nambour, and the Sunshine Coast. This makes it one of the better-connected Sunshine Coast hinterland towns.

What is the population of Palmwoods? +

According to the 2021 Census, Palmwoods has a population of approximately 6,357 residents within the Sunshine Coast Council local government area.

Is Palmwoods a good place to live? +

Palmwoods is a wonderful hinterland village offering a relaxed semi-rural lifestyle with train access to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. It suits families and lifestyle seekers who value community character, hinterland nature, and the Sunshine Coast's beautiful surroundings.

What is the postcode for Palmwoods? +

The postcode for Palmwoods is 4555.

What is the average income in Palmwoods? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Palmwoods is about $746 per week (around $38,800 per year). The median household income is $1,738 per week and the median family income is $1,991 per week.

What is the age profile of Palmwoods? +

The median age in Palmwoods is 43. The largest age group is 45–54 (906 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Palmwoods a safe area? +

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

In Palmwoods, the median weekly rent is $430, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,878 (2021 Census).