Sunshine Beach is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most prestigious and tightly held coastal suburbs, located just north-east of Noosa Heads. With approximately 3 km of pristine beach frontage, elevated streets offering panoramic ocean views, and proximity to Noosa National Park, it is highly sought after by families, retirees, and investors seeking both lifestyle and long-term capital growth.

The suburb has a unique combination of village charm and beachside living. Duke Street, the suburb’s main hub, is lined with boutique cafés, restaurants, bars, and local shops, just a short stroll from the beach. The village atmosphere, combined with high-quality residential offerings, creates a sense of exclusivity and community. Sunshine Beach is also notable for its hilly topography, providing many properties with elevated ocean views and seclusion, further enhancing its desirability.

The suburb has consistently been one of the strongest growth markets on the Sunshine Coast, largely due to its limited housing stock of around 965 properties. Turnover is low, meaning properties are tightly held, which drives long-term capital growth. Buyers are drawn to the area for its lifestyle offerings, including easy access to nearby Noosa Heads, the National Park, and recreational facilities such as walking trails, parks, and waterways.

Sunshine Beach has a population of roughly 2,500 residents. The suburb’s demographic profile reflects its mix of retirees, families, and professional couples seeking coastal lifestyle:

• Couples and retirees: Approximately 50–60% of households are couples without children, many of whom are over 50 and relocating for a peaceful beachside lifestyle.
• Families: The suburb is increasingly attracting families seeking quality schooling and access to parks, surf beaches, and community facilities.
• Professionals and lifestyle buyers: Interstate relocators and lifestyle buyers are drawn to the premium coastal properties and community-focused environment.

Home ownership is high, at around 60%, and there is a limited number of investment properties. Those available are typically in high demand, particularly among long-term tenants who cannot afford to purchase in the suburb. Housing types include:

• Beachfront and ocean-view houses
• Low-density terraces and townhouses
• Boutique apartments

This combination ensures a tight housing supply, contributing to strong capital growth and limited availability for buyers and investors alike.

Sunshine Beach provides convenient access to education and healthcare services for residents.

Healthcare

While there are limited in-suburb hospitals, residents can access:

• Sunshine Coast University Hospital (Birtinya): A major public hospital within 30–40 minutes’ drive. Sunshine Coast University Hospital
• Noosa Hospital A private hospital with emergency and general medical services
• Buderim Private Hospital providing quality care and state of the art facilities.
• Private and allied health services in nearby Noosa Heads, Noosaville, and Sunshine Beach.
• Local GPs, dental clinics, and pharmacies serving day-to-day healthcare needs.

This combination provides a balance between small local services for convenience and larger regional hospitals for more specialised medical care.

Education

Sunshine Beach offers both public and private schooling:

• Primary Schools –  Sunshine Beach State School, Noosaville Sate School, Peregian State School, St Thomas More School
• Secondary Education – Sunshine Beach State High School,  Noosa District State high School , Coolum State High School
• Private / Independent / Catholic Schools – includes St Andrew’s Anglican College,  Peregian Beach College,  Coolum Beach Christian College, Matthew Flinders Anglican College, St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosa Christian College, Good Shepard Lutheran College

• Early Learning Centres – childcare, preschool, and kindergarten facilities are widely available in Alexandra Headlands and surrounding suburbs. Early learning and childcare services are available in Sunshine Beach and neighbouring Noosa Heads, catering to families with younger children.

• Tertiary Education – TAFE Queensland campuses are nearby as well as the University of the Sunshine Coast in Sippy Downs.

The suburb’s education facilities make it highly appealing to families seeking coastal lifestyle without compromising on quality schooling.

Sunshine Beach is celebrated for its boutique dining culture. The main village hub on Duke Street offers a range of options:

• Cafés serving specialty coffee, artisan breads, and breakfast favourites. Popular breakfast spots include Sunshine Social, Jam Café and The Deck
• Restaurants offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients and contemporary cuisine. Humble on Duke , everything is made on site, with a Boutique Australian wine list and modern Australian, Middle East plates.
• Bars and wine bars providing relaxed, social dining atmospheres. Embassy XO a local favourite.  Marble Bar is a funky space with more casual menu.

The suburb also benefits from its proximity to Noosa Heads and Noosaville, where additional fine dining like Sails Restaurant and Ricky’s River Bar and Restaurant can be found as well as casual restaurants and eateries in Noosa Junction.

The emphasis on fresh, sustainable produce and vibrant village atmospheres contributes to Sunshine Beach’s reputation as a foodie destination.

Noosa Farmers Market for fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal goods. Noosa Junction Seafood Market  delivers premium, locally sourced seafood straight from the boat to the community, tourists, and restaurants in Noosa Heads. 

Sunshine Beach offers exceptional lifestyle and outdoor recreational opportunities:

• Sunshine Beach: Swimming, surfing, and family-friendly sand-based activities. Sunshine Beach Surf Club, recently renovated hosts many events with the life saving department as well as within the restaurant.  Magnificent view and opening from 11am to late weekdays and 8am to late on weekends. They also have a courtesy bus that can ferry you to and from your accommodation.
• Noosa National Park: Coastal walking trails, lookouts, and wildlife observation
• Walking and cycling trails: Connect the beach, hinterland, and surrounding suburbs. Wooroi Day Use Area has many mountain biking trails that cover a mix of difficulty as well as picnic spots and walking tracks.
• Close by is Noosa Junction which offers many cafes, shops and cinema as well as grocery stores such as Coles and IGA.

• Noosa River & Lake Weyba are close by and offer kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and picnic spots. Along Noosa River you will find many cafés and shops as well as sporting activity centres that hire out jet skis, BBQ pontoon boats, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, boats and many more.
• There are many sports clubs, yoga classes in the park, and community fitness events. Aloha Active  offers a wide range of classes with over 100+ per week, including Hot yoga, Vinyasa, Barre, Reformer Pilates, Yin, HIIT Pilates, Strength & Cycle. Noosa Lions Football Club   is the Sunshine Coast’s largest FQ/FFA affiliated club on the Coast with around 800 members including over 680 junior players.
• Eumundi Markets  Lively open-air market with locally made arts & crafts, plus street food, twice weekly since 1979. The Eumundi Markets are open every Wednesday and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

• Community parks and playgrounds provide spaces for families and children.
• Australia Zoo is a zoo located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, near Beerwah and the Glass House Mountains. It is a proud member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association and is owned and operated by Terri Irwin, along with her children Robert Irwin and Bindi Irwin. The zoo was made internationally renowned by the late Steve Irwin through the iconic wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter, and continues its global conservation mission through the Irwin family’s television series Crikey! It’s the Irwins.

The suburb’s elevated areas provide not only views but also access to hinterland bushland and trails, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Sunshine Beach benefits from excellent transport options despite its village-like atmosphere:

• Local buses connect to Noosa Heads, Noosaville, and other Sunshine Coast suburbs
• Walking and cycling are viable for daily activities thanks to flat and hilly terrain paths
• David Low Way and Sunshine Motorway: Provide regional access along the coast
• Sunshine Coast Airport is approximately 30 minutes’ drive, offering domestic connections to Sydney, Melbourne, and other cities

While many residents prefer walking or cycling locally, road access ensures the suburb is connected to the wider Sunshine Coast and Brisbane for work, leisure, and travel.

Walk or jog up the ‘Sunshine Beach stairs’, at the northern end of the beach for the most beautiful clifftop views of the Noosa National Park headland and Coral Sea.

The Doonan is a beautiful venue nestled in the Noosa hinterland. Set on 2 hectares and a stones throw from the famous local beaches, it is a lush garden-themed restaurant with indoor and alfresco dining, bars, beer gardens, a bottle shop, multiple function spaces and a kids playground, accompanied by a jumping pillow.

For the best sunset lookout visit Noosa Boat House Sunset bar. Fabulous Nibbles and an extensive cocktail menu.

Pack a picnic and take a drive or walk through the national park to Laguna Lookout which has sweeping panoramic views across the coast from the national park, main beach and the distant hinterland.

Noosa Queen and Noosa Ferry both offer a relaxed scenic cruise  at sunset where you will be taken along the Noosa River at a slow pace enjoying the peaceful serenity whilst having nibbles and champagne.

BBQ Pontoon Boat Hire – for a great day out with the family hire a BBQ ponton and cruise around the Noosa River, fishing, swimming and discovering different parts of the river system. All boat hire centres can be found on Gympie Terrace, Noosaville.

Sunshine Beach is bordered by several sought-after suburbs, enhancing its lifestyle and investment appeal:

• Noosa Heads: Iconic beaches, high-end retail, and Noosa National Park
• Sunrise Beach: Quiet family-friendly coastal suburb with ocean views
• Noosaville: Riverside living with cafés, restaurants, and access to Noosa River
• Doonan: Hinterland acreage properties and lifestyle blocks
• Marcus Beach & Castaways Beach: Peaceful beachside living with low density

• Peregian Beach & Peregian Springs: Vibrant coastal village and family-friendly master-planned community

These surrounding areas complement Sunshine Beach’s lifestyle offerings and provide additional property investment options for buyers looking to diversify within the Noosa region.

Looking for assistance with your purchase? Have a conversation with our Sunshine Beach Buyers Agent today.