Less talked about than its noisy southern neighbour, the Sunshine Coast is home to Noosa and stretches roughly 60 km up the Queensland coast, from Pelican Waters to Tewantin. Beaches, rainforest, volcanic peaks and a genuinely relaxed pace, it’s one of the best places in Australia to stop moving for a while. Here are ten reasons to settle here.
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It’s easy to get to
The Sunshine Coast sits about an hour north of Brisbane. Trains and buses run daily between the two, and the fare is modest, the train to Nambour or Landsborough plus a connecting bus is the cheapest way in.
Sunshine Coast Airport at Maroochydore is right in the middle of the region, with direct flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland. Since the new runway opened, it handles international services too, which makes getting in and out considerably easier than it used to be.
And you’re within easy reach of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and Rainbow Beach, the main departure point for the island, is around two hours north. That makes a long weekend on the world’s largest sand island entirely doable.
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Beautiful Beaches & Hinterland
Opposite to the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast is a real paradise for people looking for calm and serenity. Living there gives a feeling of eternal holidays. Locals are chilled and nice.
This part of the Coast boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. From the iconic Noosa Main Beach with its pristine sands and clear waters to the quieter, more secluded spots like Sunshine Beach and Coolum Beach, there is a stretch of coastline for everyone. From the clear waters of Noosa Main Beach and Sunshine Beach to serene hinterland escapes like Maleny and Mapleton, you get a mix of coastal and forest life.
The climate is hard to beat
The Sunshine Coast has a subtropical climate: mild winters, warm summers, and a lot of blue sky in between. Locals will warn you that winter is freezing, take that with a pinch of salt. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 20 °C, and plenty of people swim year-round.
Summer is genuinely hot, pushing past 30 °C, with humid afternoons that often end in a spectacular storm. The region is also relatively sheltered: cyclones tend to track further north, and hail is rare.
The sting in the tail: summer here means humidity, mosquitoes and a UV index that will burn you in fifteen minutes. Winter from roughly May to September, is when the Sunshine Coast is at its absolute best: 22–25 °C, dry, clear, and whales passing offshore.
Various landscapes
Sunshine Coast is famous for its stunning beaches, which offer opportunities for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. Noosa Heads Beach is particularly popular and offers a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. But you can also take a dip into waterfall or even climb a mountain.
The Sunshine Coast is also surrounded by national parks, nature reserves, and rainforests. This means that residents can enjoy hiking, bird watching, camping, and other outdoor activities in spectacular landscapes.
The Glasshouse Mountains are situated south of the coast and have some incredible views to admire the sunset. Inland, the little town of Montville offers a particular and unique atmosphere. Its little shops all more original than others and the views from the restaurants’ terraces are a must see on the Coast.
A dynamic local life
Sunshine Coast hosts numerous events all year round. Festivals, concerts and any other kind of events are often set up. Also many markets take place every week, during the day and sometimes at night (Ex: Eumundi Markets). There are numerous local markets, community events, and festivals that foster a strong sense of community and provide opportunities to connect with others.
Sunshine coast offers many cafés, bars and restaurants of all kinds and for all budgets. Going out is often cheaper than in big cities but customer service and quality of choice stay excellent.
Maroochydore’s Sunshine Plaza boasts 345 stores including major retailers, cinema, and dining options. It’s the region’s biggest shopping hub.
Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Noosa or Caloundra are the places to go to if you want to have a bit of a party. You will find many restaurants, bars and night clubs.
A perfect place to have a family
Between city and countryside, the Sunshine Coast is a perfect place to have your family. The area is calm and feels secure. The crime rate is extremely low. Locals, with a strong community spirit, follow the law and watch their neighbourhood.
The diversity of landscapes is also a great bonus for families. It is possible to spend the day at the beach as well as in the forest. Many parks allow you to enjoy the sun around a BBQ or kids playgrounds. Top-quality primary and secondary schools abound, plus the University of the Sunshine Coast at Sippy Downs and TAFE campuses scattered across the region.
The Sunshine Coast is a warm and welcoming region, with a strong community of local residents. The people are generally friendly and have a relaxed attitude, making it an ideal place to make new friends and feel at home.
The beaches here are also, by Queensland standards, refreshingly straightforward. You’re well south of crocodile country, and far enough south that box jellyfish and irukandji aren’t the seasonal concern they are in the tropics, no stinger nets, no lycra suits required.
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Strong Local Economy & Innovation Growth
The Sunshine Coast has a growing economy with opportunities across various sectors. Tourism, healthcare, education, and construction are significant industries in the region. The Sunshine Coast Airport’s recent expansion has also boosted business and travel opportunities. Healthcare, education, retail, tourism, and food services account for around 30% of employment. The University of Sunshine Coast is fostering startups via its Innovation Centre and Sippy Downs Knowledge Hub.
Plenty of surfing spots
Sunshine Coast is full of surfing spots. From sunrise to sunset, the coastal line is full of surfers of any age. Beginners and professionals find their happiness; there are waves for all levels! Noosa had got a few easy spots, perfect for beginners whereas Maroochydore has got bigger waves. Of course, in surf everything is about weather. It is your job to get out there and look for the ideal wave.
The fauna
The region is full of wildlife. Lizards, koalas, whales, kangaroos or the famous bush turkey, you won’t miss out on meeting some animals. Open your eyes and keep an eye on the side of the road, you might get lucky and see some wild horses or kangaroos. In winter, whales travel along the coast, you will see them jumping and playing with their newborn, sometimes extremely close from the shore.
Rent is cheaper than the cities
This is the argument that convinces most people. Rents on the Sunshine Coast have risen sharply since 2020 — the region was one of the biggest beneficiaries of pandemic-era migration out of Sydney and Melbourne but it remains considerably cheaper than either.
For roughly what a small apartment costs in inner Sydney, you can rent a three-bedroom house here, usually within fifteen minutes of a river or a beach. A room in a shared house is the realistic option for most backpackers, and it’s where the saving really shows.
Where you look matters enormously. Noosa, Mooloolaba and beachfront Maroochydore carry a serious premium, you’re paying for the postcode. Move ten minutes inland to Nambour, Buderim, Palmwoods or Caloundra West and prices drop sharply for the same house. With a car, you lose nothing.
Worth knowing: the rental market here is seasonal. Competition peaks before summer, when holiday lettings absorb much of the stock. Arrive in autumn or winter and you’ll have far more choice.
Excellent Transport & Infrastructure Investment
A light rail system between Kawana and Caloundra is planned, and a tram/bus rapid-transit line dubbed “The Wave” is set to launch to Maroochydore and the airport.
The Council’s 2025‑26 budget includes $343 million for coastal infrastructure and beach protection, and $262 million on roads, parks, libraries and trails.
🚐 You’ll want your own wheels here
The Sunshine Coast spreads over 60 km and public transport between towns is thin. A vehicle also opens up the hinterland — Montville, the Glass House Mountains, the waterfalls — which is where the region really earns its reputation. Our readers get 5% off at Travellers Autobarn with the code GUIDEEN.
Read next: What to do on the Sunshine Coast · Visit Brisbane · Finding accommodation in Australia · Hospitality jobs
