Australia’s Sunshine Coast is ideal for overseas buyers looking for a relaxed, family-friendly vibe in…yes, the sun! With a dazzling choice of beaches that you can swim in all year long and wonderful nature to explore, here are ten reasons why your dream home really could be along Australia’s Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast is in South East Queensland, Queensland. It encompasses several costal hubs, including Caloundra, Kawana Waters, Maroochydore, Noosa Heads, Nambour and Maleny. The area is served by the Sunshine Coast Airport, though many also arrive from Brisbane airport.
1. The sun really does shine here
Welcome to the Sunshine Coast!
If you are thinking of buying along somewhere called the Sunshine Coast, chances are you are a sun-seeker. So, you’d really hope that the area lives up to its name…And don’t worry, it does! (It has about 300 days of sunshine a year). The climate of the Sunshine Coast is humid subtropical – in other words, it has hot, rainy summers and very mild, relatively dry winters. Don’t forget the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, so winter is from June to August. July is the coldest month with a minimum of 9°C and a maximum of 22.2 degrees. While the summer lasts from December through to March, January is the warmest month with an average daily maximum of 29 degrees.
2. You can swim all-year round
Love nothing more than to feel the salt water on your skin? Not the biggest fan of water that makes your teeth chatter and your lips blue? With a home on the Sunshine Coast, you can splash to your heart’s content all-year round. The average sea temperature ranges from 27°C in January to 20°C in September. The best time of year to swim is from December to May.
3. A truly amazing pick of beaches
Fun at Currimundi Lake Beach.
Stretching for 60km, the Sunshine Coast consists of pristine white sandy beaches, secluded bays and craggy, wilder spots. A favourite for families is Currimundi Lake with its shallow waters making it well suited to young learners. It is complete with a playground and shady areas, perfect for picnics. Mooloolaba beach and its cool collection of cafes often sees it ranking as one of the best beaches in Queensland. Then, head to Sunshine Beach for whale and dolphin spotting.
Plus, there’s plenty of opportunity to embrace snorkelling, surfing, kayaking and boogie-boarding. As well as a calm, leisurely dog walk or cycle along the beach.
4. The magnificent Glass House mountains
Enjoy hiking in your new home.
The Sunshine Coast is home to the eleven peaks of the majestic Glass House mountains. They contain a variety of terrain, from rocky peaks to steep hill slopes to swamps. You can spy beautiful native animals, such as the glossy black cockatoo, kookaburras, cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas and peregrine falcons. It is a brilliant spot for hiking, horse-riding and mountain bike rides.
5. Noosa Natural Park
Combining both beautiful nature and coast, Noosa Natural Park includes the scenic headland at Noosa Heads, heath plains and high dunes around Lake Weyba (a large, shallow, saltwater lake in the Noosa River system), Emu Mountain and coastal lowlands extending south towards Coolum Beach. This is the place for stunning coastal walks.
6. Australia Zoo
Hi Koala!
Adore Australia for its unique wildlife? With a home on the Sunshine Coast, you’ll get to explore the very best of it. Established in 1970 and run by the famous Irwin family, the Australia Zoo houses 1,200 animals, including those from the African Savannah, South-East Asia, Bindi’s island, and, of course, Australian favourites like the Kangaroo and the Tasmanian Devil.
7. Brisbane is not too far away
When you need a city, Brisbane is not too far away.
Even if you prefer beach living to city living, it is always useful to have a bustling city nearby. It may be that you choose to work in Brisbane and commute from your Sunshine Coast. Or, that the Sunshine Coast becomes your go-to spot for wonderful weekends away. Brisbane is an hour and twenty minutes away from the Sunshine Coast by car. The next fastest option is the train, which is a two hour journey.
8.Get all your bits and bobs at Eumundi Market
Eumundi market!
Once you have gone through the process of buying, the fun part is to decorate! (Well, for some people anyway, some may feel less than fussed about choosing between a light grey and dark grey table). Still. Advertising itself as the “best and biggest artisan market in Australia”, the Eumundi Market is a truly remarkable place to shop. If you are looking for new home furnishings, you’ll be able to choose glassware, bed linen, pottery, hanging art and candles. It is a foodie haven too, with a choice of donuts, ice cream, fresh lemonade and bagels. As well as food and flavours from the world over.
As well as stocking up on linen and donuts, Eumindi Market is a great location to really embrace your new neighbours. It is full of hubbub with events and live music.
9. Property on the Sunshine Coast is growing in popularity
Since 2020, there’s been a sea-change in where Australian buyers look to own a home. Due to the rise in remote working and lockdowns causing people to value the great outdoors more than ever before, many Australians shifted their property prospects out of the city and into coastal towns and the countryside. So, if you are looking to invest in an up-and-coming area, the Sunshine Coast could be the place.
10. A family-friendly atmosphere
If you are moving to Australia with kids or are hoping to start a family once you move out there, you’ll be pleased to know just how family-friendly the Sunshine Coast is. As well as offering an outdoorsy lifestyle, it has a top-quality education system. There’s a choice of public and private schools. And the University of Sunshine Coast, opened its doors in 1996 and stands today as one of Australia’s top-rated universities.
Neighbourhoods to look for a home on the Sunshine Coast
If you’re after a home in a popular urban area with plenty of cafes, beaches and shops to enjoy, the neighbourhoods of Maroochydore, Coolum beach and Caloundra may be worth looking into. While Buderim offers amazing views, as it sits on a mountain. Sippy Downs is a popular choice with students and young professionals, as it is close to the Sunshine Coast University. While Gympie, a growing town, has more affordable property options.
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