
Coolum Beach
Beach Information
Beach Information
- 🏖️ Best Time to Visit: September to April for ideal beach weather.
- 🐠 Marine Stingers: Rare; possible November–May.
- 🚩 Lifeguard Patrol: Patrolled year-round.
- 🐕 Dog Friendly: No — (see Dog-Friendly Rules below)
- 🛠️ Facilities: Picnic areas, BBQs, cafes, shops, parking, amenities.
- ♿ Accessibility: Good wheelchair access to foreshore.
- 🐊 Wildlife Awareness: No crocodiles. Deadly snakes extremely rare.
- 📍 Distance to Brisbane: Approx. 115–125 km (about 1.5 ho
- 🏘️ Closest Town: Coolum — Distance: 0 km
- ✈️ Closest Airport: Sunshine Coast Airport — Distance: 11 km
- 🌦️ Typical Weather: Subtropical; warm, humid summers, mild winters.
For the latest official beach conditions and safety information, check Beachsafe.
Coolum Beach is a classic Sunshine Coast beach known for consistent Coolum Beach surfing, safe Coolum Beach swimming and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. With year-round patrols, a scenic boardwalk, Tickle Park and easy access to Mount Coolum, it delivers the perfect mix of surf, sand and coastal village life.
🏝️Why Visit Coolum Beach?
Coolum Beach is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular spots for Coolum Beach surfing, Coolum Beach swimming and relaxed family days. With year-round patrols, consistent waves, golden sand and a lively yet laid-back village atmosphere, it offers the perfect mix of surf, swimming and coastal lifestyle just steps from cafes and Mount Coolum.
👙Things to Do at Coolum Beach
🏄 Surfing — Consistent beachbreaks suitable for intermediates and longboarders
🏊 Swimming — Year-round patrolled flagged area with golden sand
🚶 Boardwalk Walks — Scenic coastal path with ocean views and easy access
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly — Calm flagged areas and soft sand make Coolum Beach an excellent Coolum Beach family swimming spot
🏞️ Tickle Park — Playground, picnic areas and lawns right next to the Surf Club
🥾 Mount Coolum — Short drive or walk to the popular summit trail with 360° views
☕ Cafes & Esplanade — Relaxed dining and coffee along the Coolum foreshore



🏄 Surfing at Coolum
🏄 Wave Type — Consistent beachbreaks with peaky lefts and rights over sand
🌊 Best Conditions — Southeast groundswells, waist-to-head high ideal
🧘 Crowd Level — Popular but usually less crowded than Noosa
🎯 Ideal For — Intermediate surfers and longboarders looking for fun, reliable waves
🛡️ Protection — More exposed than the southern points; works on a range of tides
⚠️ Safety — Rips are common on size; always check conditions and respect the flags when swimming nearby
🌊 Explore More Surf Breaks
🏄♀️ Surfing Sunshine Coast ➜
🎓 Learn to Surf ➜
🏄♂️ Queensland Surf Events Calendar 2026 ➜


🐶Dog Friendly Rules
🚫 Dogs are restricted on the main Coolum Beach swimming areas
🦮 Stumers Creek (northern end of Coolum) is the main off-leash dog beach — keep dogs on-leash until 10 m past the carpark, then off-leash for several kilometres
📋 Always check current Sunshine Coast Council signage and the interactive map

🌤️Best Time to Visit Coolum Beach
☀️ Year-Round — Reliable surf and swimming conditions in all seasons
🏊 Best Swimming — September to April for warmer water and peak family use
🏄 Surfing — Consistent year-round with good waves on southeast swells
🐋 Whale Season — June to October for offshore humpback sightings
🛍️Facilities & Accessibility
🚽 Toilets & Showers — Located near the Surf Club and Tickle Park
🍖 Free BBQs & Picnic Tables — Shaded areas in Tickle Park and foreshore reserves
🅿️ Parking — Available along the Esplanade and near the main beach access points
♿ Accessible Matting — Available on weekends during the volunteer patrol season
🛝 Playground — Full play equipment at Tickle Park next to the Surf Club
🚶 Boardwalk — Continuous accessible path along the beachfront


🗺️ Getting There
🚗 By Car — On the Sunshine Coast via David Low Way; approximately 1 hour 30 minutes north of Brisbane
🅿️ Parking — Street parking and designated areas along the Esplanade and near Tickle Park
🚌 Public Transport — Regular TransLink bus services run along David Low Way with stops near the beach
🚶 On Foot / Bike — Easy access from Coolum village and the coastal pathway
💡 Info correct at time of writing — check Sunshine Coast Council and Surf Life Saving Queensland for current patrol times and access updates.
💡 Local Tips
🚩 Always Swim Between the Flags — Year-round patrols make Coolum ideal for swimming, surfing and bodyboarding
☕ Best Cafes — The Caf Coolum, Raw Energy and My Place Restaurant all overlook the ocean
🚶 Walk the Boardwalk South — Follow the path toward Point Perry Lookout and Point Arkwright for coastal views
🐋 Wildlife Watching — Spot dolphins in the waves and whales offshore between June and October
🥾 Mount Coolum Views — The iconic mountain backdrop is best enjoyed early morning or late afternoon
🅿️ Arrive Early Weekends — Parking along the Esplanade fills quickly on sunny days and school holidays



📍Nearby Attractions
🏔️ Mount Coolum — Iconic local landmark with walking trail and panoramic views
🐕 Stumers Creek — Popular off-leash dog beach just north of the main Coolum beach
🏖️ Yaroomba & Point Arkwright — Quieter neighbouring beaches a short drive south
🛍️ Coolum Village — Shops, restaurants and services right behind the beach
🛤️ Coastal Pathway — Scenic shared path linking Coolum to surrounding beaches
📅 Events & Markets Nearby
🛍️ Peregian Beach Markets — 1st & 3rd Sunday each month with handmade crafts, clothing, homewares, art and food stalls
🛍️ Eumundi Markets — Wednesdays and Saturdays; one of Australia’s best-known artisan markets with fashion, jewellery, food and local products
🛍️ Cotton Tree Markets — Regular Sunday market with gifts, clothing, plants, jewellery and handmade goods
🎵 Coolum Music & Community Events — Seasonal outdoor concerts, food trucks and local beach gatherings
🎄 Sunshine Coast Christmas Markets — December festive stalls, food vendors and holiday entertainment
For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Sunshine Coast Attractions | Best Things to Do Near Sunshine Coast Beaches
🏕️Accommodation Near Coolum Beach
- 🏨 Beachfront resorts and family-friendly hotels in Coolum
- 🏡 Holiday rentals and apartments overlooking the ocean
- ⛺ Holiday parks and campgrounds nearby for budget stays
- 🏡 Coolum Beach Holiday Park is right on the beach (dog-friendly on application)
- 🚫 No free beach camping
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💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.
🍴 Places to Eat & Drink
Coolum Beach offers a welcoming coastal dining scene with beachfront cafés, restaurants, and surf-club dining all within easy reach of the sand. Enjoy coffee after a surf, fresh seafood, or dinner with ocean views — then share your favourite food and drink experiences below!
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💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.
🧭Plan Your Trip to Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach offers the perfect blend of surf, sand, and vibrant town life on the Sunshine Coast. Whether you’re catching waves, enjoying a family picnic, or exploring nearby attractions, Coolum is a top spot for both locals and visitors. With lifeguard patrols, excellent facilities, and plenty of cafes and shops, it’s one of Queensland’s best all-round beach destinations.




💬 Share Your Coolum Beach Photos & Reviews
📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Sunshine Coast! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover the region’s best beaches and hidden coastal gems.
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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby
Discover more of the Sunshine Coast:
Peregian Beach ➜ | Marcoola Beach ➜ | Noosa Heads ➜ | Sunshine Beach ➜
🌊 About This Beach Directory
🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.
💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!
📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.
☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!
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Last updated: June 2026
Coolum Beach FAQs
Is Coolum Beach patrolled?
Yes. Coolum Beach is patrolled year-round. Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
Is Coolum Beach good for surfing?
Yes. Coolum Beach is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most consistent and popular surf beaches, offering beach breaks suitable for a wide range of abilities.
Can you swim at Coolum Beach?
Yes. Coolum Beach has safe, patrolled swimming areas that are popular with families and all ability levels.
Can I take my dog to Coolum Beach?
No. Dogs are not allowed on the main Coolum Beach. Nearby off-leash areas are available at other Sunshine Coast locations.
How do I get to Coolum Beach from Brisbane?
Coolum Beach is approximately 110–120 km (about 1 hour 30 minutes) north of Brisbane via the Bruce Highway. Follow signs to Coolum and then to the beachfront. Parking is available along the foreshore and nearby streets.
What facilities are at Coolum Beach?
Facilities include toilets, outdoor showers, picnic areas, cafes, shops, a surf club, and easy beach access. The foreshore is well-developed with plenty of options for food and drinks.
