Brilliant Sunshine Coast holiday destination for couples and families
Table of Contents
Are you interested in visiting Coolum Beach? Then please check out my post about this fabulous Sunshine Coast holiday destination in Queensland.
To make it easier for you to follow, below is how the post has been structured.
1. Introduction
2. Where is Coolum Beach?
3. How to Get to Coolum Beach
4. Best time to visit Coolum Beach
5. What facilities do they have at Coolum Beach
6. Things To Do At Coolum Beach
7. Tours and Excursions
8. Coolum Accommodation
9. Coolum Restaurants
10. Coffee
11. Final Thought
After reading the article I hope you will plan to visit this spectacular Australia beach destination!
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Read Time: 9 Minutes
Introduction
Visitors to Coolum Beach well and truly hit the holiday jackpot.
Nestled at the southern end of a glorious 15 km stretch of coastline that runs all the way up to Sunrise Beach, this spectacular Sunshine Coast beach is known for its excellent surf break – which the accomplished professional surfer Julian Wilson calls home.
It is also a popular spot for walking, exploring rock pools and swimming, with the local surf club being operational here since 1919.
As the main beach in Coolum, its always lively in this coastal town. However, due to its wide expanse of sand, it never feels as crowded as other places like Mooloolaba or Noosa, and at any given time many visitors are either on the grassy parklands or parade of shops that lie adjacent to the beach.
Moreover, many holiday accommodation providers have properties that directly overlook the Coral Sea just behind the Coolum Board Walk.
This means you can also get to soak up the laid-back coastal views of this happening Queensland beach community from the comfort of a private balcony. Brilliant morning sunrise anyone?
You’ll be pleased to read there are several ways to get to Coolum Beach depending on your starting point.
Where is Coolum Beach?
The coastal town of Coolum Beach is one of many beaches you can visit on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, residing about 130 km north of Brisbane.
Flanked by the Coral Sea, it is nestled in between the sleepy suburb of Yaroomba and the livelier Peregian, with Point Arkwright nestled at its most southern point.
The town is built on land, for whom the traditional owners of the land are the ‘Yinneburra’ or ‘Inabara’ clan of the Undanbi tribe of indigenous people. They are members of a bigger group known as Gubbi Gubbi or Kabi Kabi.
It gets its name from the aboriginal term for ‘kulum’ or ‘gulum’, which means ‘headless’ or ‘blunt’, in reference to the magnificent shape of Mount Coolum that hovers over the beach in the background.
Distance from Coolum Beach to Other Queensland Destinations
How to Get to Coolum Beach
Should you fancy a holiday or day trip to this fabulous Sunshine Coast beach destination, you’ll be pleased to read there are several ways to get to Coolum Beach depending on your starting point.
Coolum Beach can easily be reached by car from Brisbane or Gympie and beyond. To do this, you will probably need to take the Bruce Highway or Sunshine Motorway to get to the David Low Way, which runs directly along the beachfront.
Typically, it should take you approximately a 1-hour and 15-minute drive from Queensland’s state capital city. You can find the quickest available route by using an app like Waze or Google Maps.
If you are travelling from further afield, the nearest airport is the Sunshine Coast Airport, which is located approximately 10 kilometres south of Coolum Beach in the suburb of Marcoola. The likes of Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas run regular services throughout the day.
From the airport, you can take a taxi, shuttle bus or hire a car to reach Coolum Beach. Many car rental hire companies operate directly from the airport, so to save time you might want to pre-book with them.
For those intending to travel by bus, several services including Greyhound Australia run from Brisbane.
Additionally, local buses from various parts of the Sunshine Coast regularly operate. Check out the Translink timetable for more details.
Should you want to take a train, the closest station to Coolum Beach is Nambour. Again, check out the Translink timetable for more details. Once you arrive in Nambour, you can take a bus or Uber to Coolum.
Best Time to Visit Coolum Beach
On average, the Sunshine Coast enjoys at least seven hours of sunshine per day for around 300 days every year, with temperatures averaging out at about 25.5 degrees throughout the year. This means that Coolum Beach is a destination you can visit all year round.
It’s worth noting that the summer months of December to February can be characterised by high humidity and the mercury regularly topping 30 degrees Celsius. It is also representative of the rainy season, so storms and prolonged heavy downpours are not uncommon.
Additionally, as it is the school and summer holidays, the area can be much busier than in other seasons and holiday accommodation prices are at their highest.
For this reason, you might want to time your visit to Coolum Beach to take place around the summer shoulder season months of October to November and March to April. At this time, the weather is still very pleasant to walk around in shorts and t-shirts and there are fewer visitor numbers, due to work and school commitments. The prices of Coolum resorts and holiday rentals tend to be much cheaper too.
While the winter months of June to August are the coolest months of the year, temperatures rarely drop below 15°C during the day. These months also coincide with the whale migration season, which means it is a prime time to spot whales making their way up to Cairns on the Coral Sea. You’ll find some of the best Coolum holiday accommodation deals available at this time too.
You’ll want to spend a lot of time on the beach and the Coolum Esplanade. However, there are plenty of tours and excursions you can go on when you fancy some time away from either.
What facilities do they have at Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach is a family-friendly holiday hotspot that provides tourists and day-trippers with a good range of facilities and amenities to make their visit as enjoyable as possible.
The beach is patrolled by the Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club and you can get to it via access points 68 to 81. In Tickle Park, which resides directly behind it, you’ll find toilets, a children’s playground, skate park and plenty of seating, picnic tables and barbecue areas.
There is decent parking available in the main car park at Tickle Park. However, this often get full up, so I would recommend parking opposite the bowls club, which is located on Elizabeth Street. To get to it, turn left at the roundabout by McDonalds.
During the volunteer patrol season, there is accessible matting on weekends at the beach. There is also an off-leash dog area between access points 68 and 72 where your four-legged friend can run free. It is located just to the north of the Coolum Beach Holiday Park around the Lions Park and Norrie Job Park area.
Directly opposite the beach is a long parade of cafes, takeaway food outlets, restaurants, coffee shops and boutique stores.
Distance from Coolum Beach to Other Australia Destinations
Things To Do At Coolum Beach
There are plenty of things to see and do during your time at Coolum Beach. One of the most popular activities is, of course, spending time on the beach, swimming in the Coral Sea, surfing the waves, or simply lounging in the sun.
However, if you are looking to do a bit of exploring, Coolum has a number of operators who will rent out equipment like stand-up paddleboards, surfboards and kiteboards that will enable you to explore the coastline via the water.
If you would prefer to stay on dry land there is also a scenic coastal walking trail, including the Coolum Boardwalk, which you can stroll along. This undulated path offers breathtaking views of the water and surrounding hinterland.
Be sure to have your Android or Smartphone at the ready, as there are plenty of Insta-worthy photo opportunities waiting to be taken. Also, wear a hat as there is not much in the way of shade along it.
A little bit away from the beach at Coolum, another popular attraction is the nearby Mount Coolum National Park. If you hike the trail that leads to the summit, you” enjoy incredible panoramic views of the surrounding area and coastline.
Tours and Excursions
You’ll want to spend a lot of time on the beach and the Coolum Esplanade. However, there are plenty of tours and excursions you can go on when you fancy some time away from either.
Both Viator and Get Your Guide offer a wide selection of all activities and day trips, which you might consider if you want to see other parts of the Sunshine Coast.
Outlined below are some of the most popular ones offered by Viator.
Here are some other options from Get Your Guide.
Whichever tour you decide to book, I recommend doing that early to avoid disappointment because they often sell-out quickly.
In recent years the Sunshine Coast has really lifted its game when it comes to the standard of food available at its various cafes and restaurants
Coolum Accommodation
When it comes to Coolum Beach accommodation there are a variety of resorts and holiday rentals you can choose to stay at during your visit to this popular Sunshine Coast beach destination.
You can click here to or see a full list of accommodation options that are currently available.
However, one place you should consider is the Coolum At The Beach. As it is located on the David Low Way, it offers a convenient place to stay directly over the road from the beach. The rooms here are well equipped and spacious and there is a good selection of facilities onsite, including four swimming pools, a barbecue area and fitness centre.
This hotel is very close to the Coolum Beach Holiday Park, which is adjacent to the surf club. It is set on a pristine beachfront and offers a good selection of powered sites and villas, as well as three amenity blocks and two laundry areas.
If you are looking to self-cater, Coolum Caprice is an excellent choice. Offering self-contained apartments near the beach with fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities, it counts a spa pool, heated swimming pool, games room and sauna among its amenities.
Elsewhere, The Point Coolum, situated at Point Arkwright, is another decent choice, if the Coolum Caprice is fully booked out.
Things to do in Coolum Beach
Coolum Restaurants
In recent years the Sunshine Coast has really lifted its game when it comes to the standard of food available at its various cafes and restaurants. I’m happy to say Coolum Beach has more than kept up with this trend and there are now some very good places to eat in the area.
Along the David Low Way there are several terrific eateries that cater to all tastes. These venues range from the likes of McDonalds and Subway to more specialised and hip independent venues.
One of the most popular is the Coolum Beach Hotel. Located close to the Coolum Beach Caravan Park, there are no rooms available in this establishment. But they do offer a selection of gastro pub classic meals such as burgers, steaks and salt & pepper calamari that will appeal to families. They also have an excellent bar offering a huge range of alcoholic drinks.
Another notable place to visit is Alley Cat. This Coolum Beach Cafe prides itself on offering delicious chows, smooth brews and great vibes, in an indoor and outdoor setting. If you go there at lunch try the eggs benny with bacon. For dinner, the crunchy snapper tacos are superb.
If you are into Thai food, Coolum Thai Spice is an authentic restaurant that offers a delicious range of traditional dishes, such as green curry and pad Thai. Alternatively, My Place is an upscale value that presents a menu of delicious dishes, which may included duck confit and barramundi, depending on the season.
Coffee
Similar to its dining scene, Coolum Beach has a thriving coffee culture, with many cafes and coffee shops on or around the David Low Way serving up a delicious selection of brews.
One of the best places to enjoy a latte or cappuccino is at the aforementioned Alley Cat. They serve up a delicious selection of coffees made with an Allpress Espresso Blend.
A few doors down from it, Park Lane Coffee operates out of a hole in the wall, selling Tim Adams Specialty Coffees that are perfect to take to the beach.
Elsewhere, on Birtwill Street, Coolum Corner, is a funky cafe with a good vibe, while Rock Hop Espresso, located opposite the bowls club, is a nice quiet spot to enjoy your beverage.
For those wanting to stick to something they know, Coolum Beach also has a Coffee Club.
Final Thought
There are plenty of excellent beaches on the Sunshine Coast you can visit on a Queensland holiday or day trip, and Coolum Beach is right up there with the best of them.
Quieter than Mooloolaba, Noosa and Caloundra, but busier than the likes of Sunshine Beach, Peregian and Kawana, its fabulous mix of stunning beach, excellent restaurant and cafe scene and good selection of holiday accommodation, should appeal to even the most discerning of tourists.
But don’t take my word for it. Why not go and check it out for yourself?
FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about visiting Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
How Far Is Coolum Beach from Brisbane?
Coolum Beach is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, approximately 130 km from the CBD in Brisbane. It will take you about 90 minutes to drive there, mostly on the Bruce Highway.
Can you swim at Coolum Beach?
This Sunshine Coast beach is patrolled year round by Coolum Beach surf lifesavers so it is a popular spot for swimming. Like any beach though you'll need to exercise caution as there are rips in the ocean on occasion.
Is Coolum better than Caloundra?
While Coolum has the feel of a small, intimate coastal town, Caloundra is a lot more spread out. In terms of beaches, Coolum's stretches for 15 kms, making it perfect for long beach walks. By contrast Caloundra comprises several beaches dotted around headlands. Coolum Beach is probably better if you fancy a relaxing beach day, although Caloundra offers various changes of scene, so you can visit their more regularly.
Is Coolum Beach better than Noosa?
The beach at Coolum is the perfect spot for sunbathing, beach walking and generally relaxing. The beaches of Noosa offer this too, although has the added benefit of boutique shopping, bushwalking and better nightlife. You are more likely to find a free parking space at Coolum as well.
Is Coolum Beach family-friendly
Coolum is a very family-friendly beach to visit on the Sunshine Coast as it offers safe swimming, a wide beach to relax on and several accommodation options. The area also has lots of shops, cafes and restaurants and there are decent parking options available too. As Coolum Beach is not known for its nightlife, much of the action happens during the day, which adds to the appeal for families.
