Sunshine Beach

QLD 4567 • Rest of QLD

2,480
Population (2021)
$90,220
Median Household Income
1.90 km²
Area
$495/wk
Median Rent
CoastalPremiumBeach LifestyleCafé CultureFamily-Friendly

About Sunshine Beach

Sunshine Beach is an upmarket coastal suburb in the Shire of Noosa, Queensland, located just 1.8 km southeast of Noosa Heads and 137 km north of Brisbane. With a population of 2,480 (2021 census), it's one of the Sunshine Coast's most desirable beachside communities. The suburb features pristine patrolled beaches, stunning ocean views from hillside properties, and proximity to Noosa National Park.

The village atmosphere centres around a charming shopping precinct with cafés, restaurants, and boutiques catering to the café society lifestyle. Families are well-served by Sunshine Beach State School, St Thomas More Primary School, and Sunshine Beach State High School. The area attracts professionals, retirees, and holiday-makers drawn to its relaxed coastal lifestyle, natural beauty, and easy access to Hastings Street and Noosa Junction.

Sunshine Beach falls under postcode 4567 and is governed by Noosa Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Noosa electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
4567
Urban Area
Noosa
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.40°, 153.11°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1.90 km²
Elevation
59m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$495
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.1%

22 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 626 — Noosa Junction, Noosa Heads 5-10 min
  • 620 — Tewantin, Noosaville 15-20 min
  • 631 — Nambour, Sunshine Coast University 45-60 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
137 km
By Bus
2.5-3 hours via Nambour interchange
By Car (Peak)
2-2.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5-2 hours

🛣️ No direct train; nearest rail at Nambour (45 min by bus). Most commuting is local within Noosa/Sunshine Coast.

Walkability Very Walkable

Village shops, beach and schools accessible on foot; hilly terrain

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Noosa Local Government Area, which contains Sunshine Beach. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
212.7 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
144.5 / 100k
Non-FV assault
360.5 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
6.6 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
262.5 / 100k

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,460
Census 2021
2,480
0.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$38,376
Personal Income 2021
$46,904
22.2% 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
$46,904 / yr
$902/wk
Household
$90,220 / yr
$1735/wk
Family
$110,708 / yr
$2129/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,642
Born Overseas 682

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 188
  • 2. New Zealand 127
  • 3. Brazil 41
  • 4. Germany 34
  • 5. United States 28
  • 6. Canada 19
  • 7. Italy 14
  • 8. South Africa 14
  • 9. France 13
  • 10. Hong Kong 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,154
Australian 658
Irish 402
Scottish 347
German 176
Italian 99
French 59
Dutch 46
Welsh 31
New Zealander 27

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,200
Both parents born in Australia
734
Both parents born overseas
384
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.9%
Christianity
36.2%
Buddhism
1.7%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
92 (3.7%)
5-14 years
225 (9.1%)
15-19 years
130 (5.2%)
20-24 years
92 (3.7%)
25-34 years
254 (10.2%)
35-44 years
264 (10.6%)
45-54 years
386 (15.6%)
55-64 years
421 (17.0%)
65-74 years
399 (16.1%)
75-84 years
176 (7.1%)
85+ years
36 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sunshine Beach known for? +

Sunshine Beach is renowned for its stunning surf beach, upmarket village atmosphere, and exclusive coastal lifestyle. It sits within Noosa Shire and is one of Queensland's most prestigious beachside addresses, known for boutique cafés, restaurants, and direct beach access.

How far is Sunshine Beach from Noosa Heads? +

Sunshine Beach is located just 1.8 kilometres south of Noosa Heads along the coastline, making it a short walk, cycle, or drive to the Noosa Heads shopping and entertainment precinct.

Does Sunshine Beach have public transport? +

Sunshine Beach is served by Translink bus services connecting it to Noosa Heads, Noosaville, and Noosa Junction. The nearest railway station is Cooroy, approximately 20 kilometres away. A car is recommended for broader travel.

What is the population of Sunshine Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sunshine Beach has a population of approximately 2,480 residents. This relatively small population reflects the suburb's compact size and premium real estate values.

Is Sunshine Beach a good place to live? +

Sunshine Beach is widely considered one of the Sunshine Coast's most desirable places to live, offering a relaxed coastal lifestyle, excellent surf, and a charming village community. It suits those seeking an upmarket beachside environment.

What is the postcode for Sunshine Beach? +

The postcode for Sunshine Beach, Queensland is 4567.

What is the average income in Sunshine Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Sunshine Beach is about $902 per week (around $46,900 per year). The median household income is $1,735 per week and the median family income is $2,129 per week.

What is the age profile of Sunshine Beach? +

The median age in Sunshine Beach is 49. The largest age group is 55–64 (421 residents, around 17%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Sunshine Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sunshine Beach is part of the Noosa 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 Sunshine Beach? +

In Sunshine Beach, the median weekly rent is $495, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).