Living on the Sunshine Coast, QLD: What You Need to Know – Pros and Cons Revealed
The Sunshine Coast, which stretches about 60 km of coastline just north of Brisbane, is a sought-after region in South East Queensland.
It’s a blend of coastal towns like Noosa, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra, alongside charming hinterland villages such as Maleny and Montville, plus expanding suburbs.
In this post, I’ll talk about the cost of living, job opportunities, lifestyle, education, climate, environment, and healthcare on the Sunshine Coast.
I’ll also highlight how these factors impact singles, families, and retirees, pointing out both the perks and the challenges.
Cost of Living
Housing Costs
Property prices on the Sunshine Coast are among the highest in Queensland. In late 2024, the median house sale price was over A$1.04 million, according to CoreLogic.
Rents have also increased, with the median weekly rent sitting at around A$772 (for comparison, a 3-bedroom rental was about $430 in 2016).
While still cheaper than cities like Sydney or Melbourne, these prices are high compared to other regional areas.
Other Living Costs
On the flip side, daily expenses on the Sunshine Coast are relatively affordable. Groceries and transport are a few per cent cheaper than the national average.
For example, dining out and shopping for groceries cost about 3–4% less than elsewhere in Australia.
Fuel prices and public transport (like a monthly bus pass at around A$80) are generally lower than in the big cities.
Overall, the cost of living on the Sunshine Coast is roughly 18% lower than the national average. Utilities and internet charges are in line with those in Brisbane.
General Expenses
Rent is typically the biggest expense for households. In Queensland, a single student might need anywhere from A$150–$450 per week for rent, plus around A$70–$150 per week for food and bills.
These figures are statewide averages, so local costs can vary. Families with children will face higher costs, especially with childcare and schooling fees.
One cost database even suggests childcare is about 65% cheaper than the national average, though this may be based on limited data.
Demographic Impacts
For young singles or flatmates, sharing a two- or three-bedroom rental can help ease the high housing costs.
However, even modest apartments can rent for A$300 or more per week.
Families tend to feel the squeeze when it comes to needing larger homes – a four-bedroom house can easily cost more than A$900 per week in rent.
Retirees, often living on fixed incomes, can benefit from the Sunshine Coast’s lower utility and grocery costs.
But high property prices can still be a challenge, especially if they downsize to a smaller (but still pricey) unit or face aged-care fees.
Job Opportunities and Main Industries
The Sunshine Coast has experienced significant economic growth in recent years.
Key employment sectors (2021 data) are Health Care & Social Assistance (18.0%), Construction (12.1%) and Retail Trade (9.8%).
In other words, healthcare (hospitals, aged and disability care, general practitioners) is the single largest employer, followed by booming construction (new housing and infrastructure) and retail/hospitality serving the local population and tourists.
According to regional forecasts, the labour force (about 182,000 in 2022) will grow by ~12.5% by 2026 (to ~204,000 workers), driven especially by healthcare (a projected +22% to ~40,000 jobs) and education.
Other strong growth areas include Education & Training (+17%) and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (+16%).
Main Industries
The Sunshine Coast’s key employers include hospitals and clinics, schools and universities, construction companies (builders, engineers), retail outlets, tourism, hospitality, and public services.
For instance, the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital has created thousands of health and allied-health roles.
The region is also developing a tech and smart-industry sector through the “Smart Cities” program, although this is still in its early stages.
Job Market for Residents
People with skills in nursing, teaching, trades, or retail/restaurant work will usually find job opportunities.
Professionals in fields like engineering, IT, and finance may face a smaller job market compared to Brisbane, though some companies are expanding on the Coast.
Unemployment rates are low, around 3–4% before 2025, reflecting high demand for workers.
Many residents commute to Brisbane for city-level salaries or specialised roles.
Retirees often take on part-time work or volunteer locally, while the growth of health services continues to create roles in aged care and community services.
Lifestyle and Community Vibe
The lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast revolves around relaxation and outdoor activities.
With its sunny beaches and forested hills, the region naturally lends itself to activities like surfing, swimming, hiking the Glass House Mountains or Noosa National Park, and cycling along coastal trails.
Locals love the café and market culture, with iconic spots like the Eumundi Markets, plus regular food, music, and arts festivals acting as social hubs.
Communities like Noosa, Mooloolaba, Caloundra, and Buderim have a warm, village-like atmosphere, with plenty of local shops and weekend markets.
The vibe is friendly and community-driven, where neighbours know each other, and there are countless clubs, surf lifesaving groups, farmers’ markets, and volunteering opportunities to foster connections.
Retirees in particular appreciate the slow, peaceful pace – one relocation guide even describes it as “an endless relaxing holiday,” contrasting it with the hustle of the Gold Coast.
However, there are some trade-offs. Nightlife and urban culture on the Sunshine Coast are somewhat limited.
You won’t find large clubs, big concerts, or late-night theatres here – for those, Brisbane is the closest option.
During weekends and holidays, beaches and main roads can get crowded with tourists, and traffic on major roads like the Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway is becoming an issue, especially during peak travel seasons.
Public transport is basic, with buses connecting the coastal towns and a few trains to Brisbane via Nambour/Gympie, meaning most residents rely on their cars.
Younger singles or those used to a fast-paced city life may find the Sunshine Coast a bit quieter than a capital city.
Schooling and Education Options
The Sunshine Coast offers a wide range of educational options from primary school through to tertiary education.
There are over 80 public, private, and independent primary and secondary schools across the region.
State schools like Caloundra State High, Kawana Waters SHS, and Nambour State College, along with Catholic and private colleges such as Sunshine Coast Grammar, Immanuel Lutheran, and Good Samaritan, cater to local communities.
Families generally find the quality of schooling to be good, and new suburbs like Aura have schools such as Baringa State School to serve their growing populations.
However, schools that are extremely academically selective or highly specialised are typically based in Brisbane.
For tertiary education, the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) at Sippy Downs is the primary institution, with around 18,000 students enrolled in 2020.
USC is ranked among the top five Australian universities for teaching quality and offers a wide range of programs across various fields such as arts, sciences, business, health, and law.
In recent years, it has introduced new courses in medical, pharmacy, and engineering disciplines. USC also has smaller campuses in Gympie and Caboolture.
Additionally, TAFE Queensland has several campuses, including in Maroochydore and Nambour, providing vocational training and some bachelor’s degree options in areas like trades, nursing, business, and IT.
Pros
Families have plenty of school options to choose from, and many students can continue their studies on the Sunshine Coast at either university or TAFE.
The new Sunshine Coast Stadium campus, combined with USC’s partnership with the University Hospital, strengthens the region’s health and STEM programs.
Cons
In rapidly growing suburbs, schools can struggle to keep up with demand, meaning some families may have to wait for new schools to open or travel to neighbouring areas.
Certain specialised fields, such as niche arts or advanced research programs, may require students to study in Brisbane or further afield.
Childcare spots are often scarce and can be expensive, which is a challenge for working parents.
Weather and Natural Environment
The Sunshine Coast enjoys a warm, subtropical climate with long, sunny summers and mild winters.
Average summer highs hover around 25.4°C, with winter lows averaging 15.8°C, and the region typically experiences between 250 and 300 sunny days each year.
This subtropical climate is a major attraction. Summers are warm and humid, with daily temperatures often reaching the high 20s to low 30s°C, while winters remain mild and dry, with nighttime temperatures averaging around 15°C.
Rainfall is seasonal, with the region receiving around 1,400–1,600mm annually, mostly during intense summer thunderstorms.
Autumn and spring offer comfortable temperatures, making them ideal shoulder seasons.
The Sunshine Coast enjoys strong sun throughout the year, which contributes to its famous golden beaches.
Natural beauty is abundant. Residents are surrounded by surf beaches like Noosa Main Beach and Mooloolaba, as well as rivers, lakes, and lush hinterland parks such as Noosa Everglades, Kondalilla, and Mapleton Falls, perfect for hiking and camping.
Wildlife is plentiful, with koalas in the bush, sea turtles on the beaches, and vibrant birdlife in the forests.
Locals often embrace this natural setting, engaging in outdoor activities like surfing, fishing, mountain biking, yoga retreats, and visiting farmers’ markets that showcase local produce.
However, nature does come with its challenges. Summer storms, from November to March, can bring heavy rain and inland flooding.
While cyclones are rare so far south, ex-tropical cyclones or east-coast lows can still bring strong winds and rain.
Bushfire risk is highest in the late dry season (August–October), with fires occasionally impacting hinterland areas. Even outside the wet season, isolated heavy showers or thunderstorms can occur.
That said, most years are relatively mild, and heatwaves (30–35°C days) often break with refreshing afternoon or sea breezes.
In short, the Sunshine Coast offers a stunning natural environment with its beaches and forests. Still, residents should be prepared for seasonal storms, the risk of flooding, and occasional bushfires, much like any Australian coastal region.
Healthcare Facilities and Services
Healthcare on the Sunshine Coast is comprehensive and has expanded in recent years.
The Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), located at Birtinya and opened in 2017, serves as the region’s primary healthcare facility.
SCUH is a 707‑bed teaching hospital affiliated with USC and Griffith University. It has full emergency, maternity, cancer, cardiac, mental health and surgical services.
Other major public hospitals include Nambour General, Caloundra Hospital, and Gympie Hospital (plus smaller rural hospitals).
In 2017, the region also got a large private hospital (Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, part of Ramsay Health), which offers specialised services (cardiac, orthopaedics, oncology, etc.).
General practitioners and specialists are readily available in coastal towns; rural fringes may have fewer doctors (a common regional issue).
Pros
For families and retirees alike, local access to healthcare is much better than in many rural areas.
The new SCUH means most medical needs (including complex surgeries and emergency care) can be met locally.
Many baby boomers and retirees take comfort in the hospital’s proximity and in aged‑care support services that have grown. Primary care (GPs, dentists, physios) is well represented.
Cons
Despite the upgrades, the system has been under strain. In 2022, Sunshine Coast Health hospitals struggled with high patient loads – Queensland Health placed Sunshine Coast Health in the lowest performance category that year due to long wait times.
For example, before late-2023 there were many “rampings” (ambulances queueing) and ED waits: 37 patients waited over 24 hrs at SCUH ED from July–Oct 2022.
Recent reforms (a new patient-streaming model) have dramatically cut that: only one patient waited >24 hrs in the same period in 2023.
In practice, this means emergency and specialist waits can still be long during peak demand (rainy season, tourist surges).
Some residents note that for certain specialised care (like major trauma or rare diseases), one may still need to travel to Brisbane hospitals.
Overall, healthcare is good, but it can feel stretched at times.
Demographic Perspectives
Singles/Young Professionals
Most will enjoy the Sunshine Coast’s climate, beaches and active lifestyle. There are job opportunities (especially in healthcare, education and trades), but some may need to commute to Brisbane for certain careers.
Renting is the norm for singles: while rents are high (~$300+ per week for a one-bedroom unit), many share accommodation or live in smaller beachside towns (e.g. Buderim, Caloundra) to save money.
Nightlife is quieter than in a capital city, so singles often socialise in cafes, bars or beach clubs.
Overall, the Coast appeals to outdoorsy, lifestyle-oriented individuals, but those seeking a bustling urban scene may find it relatively laid-back.
Families
Parents cite the Sunshine Coast as family-friendly: low crime, good schools, parks and community activities.
Having children near beaches and nature is a plus. However, families bear the brunt of the high housing cost (a 4-bed rental often exceeds $900/week) and living expenses like childcare, sports and schooling.
Many dual-income couples work in health, education or local business; commute times on the highway can be long, which parents must manage.
On balance, families enjoy the lifestyle (abundant outdoor play for kids, supportive communities) but must budget carefully for housing and education costs.
Retirees
The Sunshine Coast is well-known as a popular destination for retirees. For example, Noosa Shire (north Coast) reports over 23% of residents are 65+, making it one of QLD’s most retiree-dense areas.
Retirees relish the warm climate, beaches and the calm pace – guides call it “permanent rest and relaxation”. Many retiree villages and friendly local clubs exist.
The main concerns for older residents are housing affordability on pensions and access to healthcare.
Fortunately, the large University Hospital and numerous GPs meet many needs, but the strain on health services means that some retirees experience delays.
For those on fixed incomes, energy costs, groceries, and out-of-pocket medical fees also require careful planning.
In summary, retirees primarily benefit from the Sunshine Coast’s leisure opportunities and community spirit while managing the high cost of living that comes with it.
