Coolum Beach.

Like many suburbs of the Sunshine Coast, life at Coolum Beach revolves around the water. The beach is pristine and is known for having one of the best surfing breaks in the area. It’s ideal for swimming and patrolled year-round, making it a family-friendly haven, and dogs are welcome too at the north end. Locals can often be spotted strolling the boardwalk, and the large beachside park has a playground and plenty of space to relax.

It is not just the beach that draws people into the outdoors. Coolum Beach has water sports aplenty, coastal walks, and Point Perry lookout, a popular picnic and whale-watching spot. The Mt Coolum National Park has a bushwalking trail with stunning scenery, as does Emu Mountain.

Shops, boutiques and day-to-day amenities line The Esplanade. It’s also the centre of Coolum’s foodie scene, with cafes and restaurants serving up cuisines from around the world. Coolum also hosts events throughout the year, such as music festivals, and there are many more entertainment options in hubs like Noosa, a 15-minute drive away.

When locals need to leave the leafy streets of Coolum, it’s easy to get around. The Bruce Highway offers access to the coastal town, and buses run regularly. For domestic travel, the Sunshine Coast Airport is close by.