Moving to the Sunshine Coast: A guide for families

Fringed with pristine beaches punctuated by rocky headlands, and home to volcanic mountains, waterfalls, coastal forests, and river systems teaming with native wildlife, there’s no doubt that the Sunshine Coast is truly a special part of the world.

Add to this a string of thriving, well-serviced communities, each with its own personality and endearing features, and it’s easy to see why the Sunshine Coast is top of the list for many families looking for a sea change, and why it’s the location for many of our Prize Homes.

The Sunny Coast (as the locals affectionately call it) has a lot to offer the families that call it home as well as sun-chasing holidaymakers.

But if you ask a local what they love most about living on the Coast, quite often, the answer will simply be ‘the vibe’.

Laid back and easy-going but still switched on, it’s true the Sunny Coast really does have an ambience that you just won’t find anywhere else.

And while you can feel it from the minute you unpack your bags on holiday, it’s when you take the plunge and unpack those moving boxes that you’ll fully appreciate the warmth and community that comes with living in this family-friendly paradise.

So, what are you waiting for? Here’s our guide to moving to the Sunshine Coast.

Where to buy/rent on the Sunshine Coast

If you’re making the tough decision of where to settle on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, it really comes down to your wishlist, and of course, your budget.

As always, proximity to the beach comes at a premium, so it all depends on whether you’re aiming for spitting distance, walking distance or being a short drive away.

In the spitting/walking distance category is the spectacularly beachfront suburb of Sunshine Beach in the Noosa Shire, where you’ll find some of the coast’s most stunning beachfront houses and many homes boasting ocean views.

With a median house price of $2.3 million*, this tightly held little pocket holds the title of most expensive suburb on the Sunshine Coast and one of the most expensive suburbs in Queensland.

However, if your budget is a little south of that number, don’t worry.

Family friendly areas like Little Mountain (a suburb of Caloundra at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast) are far more affordable with a median house price of $870,000.* And just a 10-minute drive from Caloundra’s beautiful beaches, you’ll still be living the Sunshine Coast dream without breaking the budget.

Education on the Sunshine Coast

With highly regarded public and private schools dotted the length of the coast, several TAFE campuses, and the Sunshine Coast University based at Sippy Downs, the Sunshine Coast is well-equipped to take care of your kids’ educational journey. And yours too for that matter. It’s never too late to start or learn something new.

As well as the more traditional offerings, the Sunshine Coast is also home to a Steiner School at Doonan, just south of Noosa. 

Sport on the Sunshine Coast

With more than 60 kilometres of coastline, 14 Surf Lifesaving Clubs and 15 patrolled beaches, it’s not surprising that beach and water sports are high on the list of things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

But tear yourself away from the beach and you’ll discover a myriad of sporting complexes throughout the region where you can enjoy a diverse range of sports from netball, cricket, hockey and all the codes of football to gymnastics, swimming, and tennis.

At the heart of it all is the Sunshine Coast stadium and the Kawana Sports Precinct where you’ll find the Kawana Aquatic Centre and the Lake Kawana international standard rowing facility.

Whether you’re a little nipper or an elite athlete, the Sunshine Coast sporting scene has got you covered. 

Healthy and active Sunshine Coast 

Away from the sports fields, there’s almost an endless number of ways for you and your family to keep active on the Sunshine Coast.

And rather than having to muster up motivation, when you wake up each day in a place like this, it’s almost a challenge not to be active.

The Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway is a great place to start. This spectacular path hugs over 70 kilometres of coastline and provides walkers, runners and cyclists an inspiring journey to good health. 

If you prefer your walk to be a little more rugged, there are many national park trails to explore along the coast and into the hinterland.

The hike up Mount Coolum is a must for panoramic views of the coast and is a popular training run for locals eager to beat their time up the mountain. In fact, the enthusiastic ones do it twice.

The Sunshine Coast also serves up some quality trails for mountain-biking thrill seekers including the Parklands Conservation Park which will be the Olympic venue for mountain biking in 2032.

Find out more about hiking and riding the trails around the Sunshine Coast, here.

Shopping and dining on the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Plaza, the coast’s largest shopping centre is located midway on the coast at Maroochydore, plus you’ll find smaller shopping centres at Kawana, Noosa, and Caloundra.

Majority of the beaches dotted down the coast also boast their own shopping strip filled with independent boutiques, restaurants, and cafes as well as all the essentials.

The Sunny Coast’s food and café scene is thriving and something to be explored and tested in detail. The good news is, once you have your Sunshine Coast base, you’ll have plenty of time on your side, so make the most of it. Order your favourite desert, you can always work it off on the beach tomorrow.

We’d love to help get you settled in paradise

So, you’re sold on the idea of moving to the Sunshine Coast, but you just need one small thing… a house.

The good news is, you’ve come to the right place. Buy a ticket in our latest Prize Home Lottery and, if you’re lucky, we could be helping you settle into your new $2.2 million Sunshine Coast pad before you know it.

And the best part, not only will you have the chance to make your dreams a reality, but you’ll also be supporting people with disability to find meaningful employment, build their learning and life skills, live in a home suited to their needs, and be actively involved in their community.

To explore this Prize Home in person, you’ll find directions and address details here. 

Or if you just can’t wait, take a virtual tour now.

*Source: Realestate.com.au