Coastal towns in Australia always excite us, but something special happened during our visit to Coolum Beach. Rarely have I felt so at home as in this beautiful seaside town on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It wasn’t just the impressive coastline that made a deep impression; the relaxed atmosphere, the incredibly friendly locals, and the many great restaurants instantly captured my heart. In this blog post, I’ll take you to Coolum Beach in Queensland and share my favourite spots.
Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach is located about an hour and a half’s drive from Brisbane and has a population of around 10,000. The town is part of the Sunshine Coast, a popular holiday region for many Australians. The Sunshine Coast is known for its stunning beaches and is often considered one of Australia’s most beautiful coastlines. We love coming here, and this time we were lucky enough to discover Coolum Beach in complete tranquility. We stayed in this beautiful coastal town with our dog, Joey, from Thursday to Sunday.
While many people continue on to Noosa Heads, one of the most popular spots on the Sunshine Coast, we deliberately chose a lesser-known destination. And we were very pleased with that choice. During a walk along the coast and a moment in Tickle Park, we immediately felt it: there’s a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere here. The locals exude tranquility, are friendly, and are always up for a chat, creating a warm and welcoming feeling. Besides the expansive beaches, you’ll also find areas with Pandanus trees providing pleasant shade, making it even more enjoyable on hot summer days. In several places, there are charming bars with wooden stools, where you can enjoy the sound of the sea with your takeaway coffee or a drink in the evening.
Beach lovers will be in their element here. There are patrolled beaches in several places, where you can swim safely between the flags. Because Coolum Beach is untouched by mass tourism, the beach feels wonderfully spacious and relaxed. You’ll mainly share the sand with locals and Australians holidaying there, creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Tranquil Beach Getaway
We fell in love not only with the place itself, but also with the accommodation we stayed in: Tranquil Beach Getaway. This charming little place, run by the very hospitable Nicolene, felt like home from the very first moment and made our visit truly complete.
The best thing about Tranquil Beach Getaway is the private pool and the location: just a ten-minute walk from the beach. Nicolene has furnished the accommodation with charm, including a private veranda where you can relax during the day and in the evening. You won’t find a more perfect holiday feeling than this.
For us, the biggest plus points of Tranquil Beach Getaway were its location and the private veranda with a swimming pool, where you can completely unwind. The garden is beautifully landscaped with a variety of plants and trees, and you regularly spot colourful birds. Because the property is located away from busy roads, you’re surrounded by nothing but the soothing sounds of nature.
Tranquil Beach Getaway is located in a well-maintained residential area, and you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains as you stroll towards the town center. It’s especially magical at sunset. And who knows, you might get lucky: kangaroos are spotted every now and then in the neighbourhood.
If you’re visiting Coolum Beach yourself, it’s almost a shame not to stay overnight here. The owner also gave us helpful insider tips about the area, which we wouldn’t have missed. Read more about Tranquil Beach Getaway here.
Yiani’s Greek Restaurant
You won’t have to worry about culinary delights in Coolum Beach either. This coastal town boasts several excellent restaurants, and Yiani’s Greek Restaurant is our absolute favourite. Anyone who enjoys traditional Greek cuisine shouldn’t miss this restaurant. The owner and his wife are incredibly hospitable and made us feel like we were truly transported to Greece. As true Greek connoisseurs, we were impressed by the quality of the food. We were so enthusiastic that we even dined there two nights during our stay! We also read in the reviews that people sometimes travel all the way from Brisbane to Coolum Beach just for Yiani’s, which speaks volumes.
Noosa Heads
Although we hadn’t actually planned to leave Coolum Beach, we decided to explore a little of the surrounding area. Nicolene gave us some valuable tips about Noosa Heads and the surrounding area, which we were eager to try. She recommended taking the ferry and visiting the Eumundi Markets, Australia’s largest market. Along the way, we made a few stops at various beaches, where we saw locals surfing and enjoying the beautiful water.
Laguna Lookout
Before visiting Noosa Heads itself, we first stopped at Laguna Lookout. We reached the parking lot via a steep road, and within a few minutes we were at the lookout. From here, you have a breathtaking view of the rivers and the rolling hills of Noosa Heads. In the distance, boats bob across the clear blue water, surrounded by beautiful nature—a magnificent sight. At that moment, we had the view all to ourselves, but I imagine it can be much busier at sunrise or sunset. It’s simply too beautiful to miss.
Eumundi Markets
Our last visit before heading back to Coolum Beach was to Eumundi Markets, Australia’s largest market. Although we’d already visited several markets across the country, this one felt on a different level. The large parking lots alone showed how popular the market is with both locals and tourists. Even we, who aren’t usually the biggest market fans, thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and all the local produce on offer. The selection wasn’t limited to Australian produce; dishes from other cuisines were also on offer. For example, we decided to try our favourite German Curry wurst again. After not having it for years, it was a real treat!
The Eumundi Markets also featured several venues where musicians added to the atmosphere. The combination of culinary delights and live music is something Australia truly excels at. It was pure enjoyment! Read more about the Eumundi Markets here.
Favourite (new) vacation spot
It was clear after just a few hours that Coolum Beach had left me wanting more. This vacation spot truly stole my heart, and I can’t wait to return. It felt like a slice of paradise to me, and I wanted to share that experience with you.
