• Coolum at the beach balcony pool view

10 reasons to visit Coolum at the Beach

Have you been dreaming about a holiday where you can get away from it all? Here are 10 things to do at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, guaranteed to make your dream holiday a reality.

1 - Discover wide open beaches

Every good holiday on the Sunshine Coast includes lots of visits to the beach. Coolum Beach is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and is magically located just across the road from Coolum at the Beach. It’s the perfect place to splash your feet in the ocean, enjoy a sunrise or sunset leisurely walk along the sand, explore a rock pool or just sit and absorb the view.  

2 - Coastal beach picnics

Grab your picnic basket and enjoy some of the beautiful places near Coolum at the Beach. The Sunshine Coast is brimming with picnic areas but with so many close to Coolum, why not take advantage of the local spots. Great places to lay down your picnic rug that all have great views of the water include Point Perry which has astonishing views over the coast and is close to shops just in case you decide to get some takeaway fish and chips; Pt Artwright Lookout which is a little more rugged but once again has beautiful views of the ocean; and First Bay which is a little more secluded and perfect for watching the sun set or playing in the rock pools.   

3 - Take a dip

Swimming in the ocean is one of the great things about a beach holiday and it doesn’t get much better than on the Sunshine Coast. Coolum is a patrolled beach and Aussie surf lifesavers are usually on patrol to make sure that you stay safe. Remember that if you feel like a swim, it’s best to check what hours the beach is patrolled and to swim during this time. Oh, and don’t forget to swim between the flags!

4 - Scenic hinterland drive

If you love quaint towns, browsing in antique shop windows, buying wine from boutique winery cellar doors, rainforest walks, and views as far as the eye can see then take a drive on the Blackall’s Range Tourist Drive, which is renowned for being one of Queensland’s most outstanding drives.  It will take you about 40 minutes to drive to the start at Landsborough from Coolum at the Beach as you then weave your way back. Why not stop at the 3 M’s; Maleny, Montville and Mapleton along the way. Rising to more than 500 metres there are plenty of lookouts along the way where you can enjoy expansive views of the coastline and hinterland.

5 - Cast a line 

One of Coolum’s best kept secrets is its fishing spots. With more than a dozen beach fishing spots between Coolum and Alex Heads you can be guaranteed to find your own patch of water to drop in a line and try your luck. With rocky outcrops, deep gutters and channels you might be fortunate enough to catch tailor, sea bream, flathead or whiting. Spend the day fishing and then cook your catch on the Coolum at the Beach BBQ or in your fully self-contained apartment or villa. What a perfect way to spend a day!

6 - Walk the Boardwalk

There’s no better way to relax than by taking a leisurely walk. The Coolum Boardwalk is perfect for taking an easy walk at your own pace. You can breathe in the sea air, stop to watch the waves roll in, enjoy the sound of the local birdlife and if lucky, spot a whale during the migratory season from Point Perry. The boardwalk is accessible and is lit at night making it perfect for heading back to Coolum at the Beach after the sun goes down.

7 - Climb every mountain

Well maybe not every mountain but you’d be mad to not take a walk up to the top of Mount Coolum. Famed for being the second biggest rock in the world, this majestic 25 million year old mountain is 208m high and boasts panoramic views of the Sunshine Coast from its peak. You’ll need to drive just over 6kms from Coolum at the Beach to the Mount Coolum car park, and then follow the track through forest and native Australian bushland. You need to be relatively fit as it’s a 45 minute climb to the top and roughly 30 minutes down. Take your time and enjoy breath-taking ocean and Sunshine Coast Hinterland views along the way.  If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of a bandicoot, echidna, Grey-Headed flying fox or bird of prey.

8 - Self-contained apartments

Enjoy the tranquillity of Coolum at the Beach. It’s a modern beachside resort which is perfect if you want to kick back and enjoy a luxury home-away-from-home style holiday.  Our stylish open-plan one, two and three bedroom apartments and villas are self-contained and come with all the comforts of home including a fully-equipped kitchen, modern furnishings, air-conditioning, linen, unlimited wi-fi and flat screen TVs.

9 - It’s all about the food

When on holiday there’s nothing better than sampling the local fare. Enjoy a ‘home cooked’ meal using locally sourced produce, eat at one of the local restaurants or indulge in some delicious takeaway. If it’s home cooking you are after the Coolum Village Shopping Centre is just across the road and has a Coles Supermarket, bakery, a charcoal chicken shop and wine cellar. Don’t feel like cooking? There are a wonderful selection of restaurants and cafes that also offer a range of takeaway options only a few minutes’ walk away.  If you plan it right you can even squeeze in a little window shopping at some of the designer clothing and homeware shops on the esplanade while you wait for your order.

10 - Take some time out 

Our resort facilities include four onsite pools including a 20m lap pool, poolside BBQ area and a fully-equipped gym so you really won’t even need to leave the resort if you don’t want to! Why not take some time out to read a book by the pool, take a swim in the pool, enjoy a leisurely meal with some local wine using the outdoor BBQ or work off any stress in the fully-equipped gym.

10 more reasons to stay with us at Coolum at the Beach:

  1. Friendly, personal service - Australian owned and operated
  2. Clean, comfortable, fully self-contained
  3. Four pools - plenty of space
  4. Two heated pools for year-round enjoyment
  5. Low-rise beachside development
  6. Lift access to all apartment levels
  7. Flat walk to the beach & shops
  8. Private balconies with resort outlook
  9. Air-conditioning in all rooms
  10. Accommodation for couples, families and groups!