🔍

Pelican Waters

QLD 4551 • Rest of QLD

7,393
Population (2021)
$80,704
Median Household Income
8.33 km²
Area
$540/wk
Median Rent
CoastalMaster PlannedFamily-FriendlyRetireesAffluent

About Pelican Waters

Pelican Waters is a master-planned residential suburb of Caloundra on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, located approximately 96 kilometres north of Brisbane and 7.7 kilometres south-west of the Caloundra town centre. Established in 1995, the suburb has grown rapidly into a thriving waterfront community with a population of 7,393 (2021 census), spread across 8.4 square kilometres within the Sunshine Coast Regional Council area. The suburb is defined by its extensive canal network fronting the Pumicestone Passage, offering direct boat access to Moreton Bay and Bribie Island, and is characterised by modern homes, parks, and a resort-style waterside setting.

Pelican Waters attracts families, retirees, and sea-changers who are drawn by its safe streets, waterfront lifestyle, and proximity to Sunshine Coast beaches and hinterland. The suburb features a local shopping village, café precinct, medical facilities, and the Pelican Waters Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course set among the canals. Residents enjoy kayaking, boating, and fishing from their backyards, while Caloundra's beaches—including Kings Beach and Bulcock Beach—are just a short drive away. Primary schooling is available locally, with secondary students attending schools in Caloundra and Sippy Downs.

Pelican Waters 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
-26.83°, 153.10°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
8.33 km²
Elevation
2m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$540
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,200
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
55 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 607, 609 — Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore 15-40 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
96 km
By Train
No direct train; bus to Caloundra then coach to Brisbane ~2 hours
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 20 min – 1 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr – 1 hr 20 min

🛣️ Via Bruce Highway (M1). Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore) about 30 min away.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Walkable within the suburb for local shops and parks; car required for Caloundra CBD and beyond

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    100 Pelican Waters Boulevard Pelican Waters 4551 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, which contains Pelican Waters. 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
6,277
Census 2021
7,393
▲ 17.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,304
Personal Income 2021
$34,892
▲ 11.5% 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
$34,892 / yr
$671/wk
Household
$80,704 / yr
$1552/wk
Family
$89,284 / yr
$1717/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,303
Born Overseas 1,825

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 675
  • 2. New Zealand 357
  • 3. South Africa 118
  • 4. Scotland 68
  • 5. Germany 48
  • 6. Thailand 38
  • 7. United States 33
  • 8. India 30
  • 9. Netherlands 29
  • 10. Ireland 25

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,539
Australian 2,498
Scottish 933
Irish 923
German 466
Italian 180
Dutch 132
Australian Aboriginal 124
New Zealander 87
Chinese 83

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,185
Both parents born in Australia
2,090
Both parents born overseas
861
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
57.7%
No Religion
35.2%
Buddhism
1.0%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
225 (3.0%)
5-14 years
801 (10.8%)
15-19 years
427 (5.8%)
20-24 years
235 (3.2%)
25-34 years
349 (4.7%)
35-44 years
532 (7.2%)
45-54 years
1,078 (14.6%)
55-64 years
1,264 (17.1%)
65-74 years
1,491 (20.2%)
75-84 years
821 (11.1%)
85+ years
172 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Pelican Waters QLD located? +

Pelican Waters is a suburb of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 96 km north of Brisbane CBD and 7.7 km south-west of Caloundra town centre.

What is Pelican Waters known for? +

Pelican Waters is known for its master-planned canal estate lifestyle, with waterfront homes offering direct boating access to the Pumicestone Passage and Moreton Bay. It also features the Pelican Waters Golf Club and a relaxed resort-style community atmosphere.

What is the population of Pelican Waters? +

Pelican Waters had a population of 7,393 people at the 2021 census, making it one of the larger suburbs in the Caloundra area of the Sunshine Coast.

Are there schools in Pelican Waters? +

Pelican Waters State School provides primary education within the suburb. Secondary students typically attend schools in Caloundra or Sippy Downs.

How far is Pelican Waters from Brisbane? +

Pelican Waters is approximately 96 km north of Brisbane, typically around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes by car via the Bruce Highway (M1) outside peak hours.

What is the average income in Pelican Waters? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Pelican Waters is about $671 per week (around $34,900 per year). The median household income is $1,552 per week and the median family income is $1,717 per week.

What is the age profile of Pelican Waters? +

The median age in Pelican Waters is 55. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,491 residents, around 20%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 34% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Pelican Waters a safe area? +

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

In Pelican Waters, the median weekly rent is $540, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,200 (2021 Census).