Coolum Beach, Queensland

{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{GeoGroup}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = town | name = Coolum Beach | state = qld | city = Sunshine Coast | image = sunshine_coast_02.jpg | caption = Coolum Beach, looking north | coordinates = {{coord|-26.5295|153.0910|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Coolum Beach (town centre)}} | local_map = yes | zoom = 11 | pop = 9152 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = | postcode = 4573 | area = 27.3 | timezone = AEST | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 26.8 <!-- road distances as per template instructions --> | dir1 = NE | location1 = Nambour | dist2 = 37.8 | dir2 = N | location2 = Caloundra | dist3 = 118 | dir3 = N | location3 = Brisbane | dist4 = | dir4 = | location4 = | elevation = 8 | lga = Sunshine Coast Region, Divisions 8 and 9 | stategov = Ninderry | stategov2 = Maroochydore | fedgov = Fairfax | near-n = Peregian Springs | near-ne = Peregian Beach | near-e = ''Coral Sea'' | near-se = Yaroomba<br/>Point Arkwright | near-s = Mount Coolum | near-sw = Maroochy River | near-w = Yandina Creek | near-nw = Verrierdale }} '''Coolum Beach''' is a beachside town and coastal suburb in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.<ref name=qpnt>{{cite QPN|8151|Coolum Beach|town in Sunshine Coast Region|access-date=7 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|48580|Coolum Beach|suburb in Sunshine Coast Region|access-date=7 March 2022}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the suburb of Coolum Beach had a population of 9,152 people.<ref name=Census2021/>

== Geography == Coolum Beach has the following mountains (from north to south): thumb|Coolum Beach panorama thumb|Mount Coolum sits in the background of this panorama * Mount Peregian (Mount Emu) ({{coord|-26.5068|153.0866|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mount Peregian (Mount Emu)}}) {{convert|71|m}}<ref name="MountainPeaksCapes" /><ref>{{cite QPN|26448|Mount Peregian|mountain in Sunshine Coast Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> * Toboggan Hill ({{coord|-26.5359|153.0905|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Toboggan Hill}}) {{convert|80|m}}<ref name="MountainPeaksCapes" /><ref>{{cite QPN|34712|Toboggan Hill|mountain in Sunshine Coast Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> * Eurungunder Hill ({{coord|-26.5423|153.0918|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Eurungunder Hill}}) {{convert|100|m}}<ref name="MountainPeaksCapes" /><ref>{{cite QPN|12000|Eurungunder Hill|mountain in Sunshine Coast Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> Coolum Beach has the following coastal features (from north to south):

* Peregian Beach ({{coord|-26.5053|153.0950|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Peregian Beach}}), extending south from Peregian Beach to the north-east<ref name="MountainRangesBeachesPassages">{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Mountain ranges beaches and sea passages - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/1db1dfe1-ab2a-4405-9164-0a54c3b31dda |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125060730/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/1db1dfe1-ab2a-4405-9164-0a54c3b31dda |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref> * Coolum Beach ({{coord|-26.5218|153.0932|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Coolum Beach}}), along the mid-coastline of the suburb<ref name="MountainRangesBeachesPassages" /> * Point Perry ({{coord|-26.5360|153.0958|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Point Perry}})<ref name="MountainPeaksCapes">{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/06ff12a9-862e-4aac-bf9d-693f0a63b4c9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125215033/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/06ff12a9-862e-4aac-bf9d-693f0a63b4c9 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref><ref>{{cite QPN|26481|Point Perry|mountain in Sunshine Coast Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref>

However, Mount Coolum (to the south of the suburb) dominates the landscape.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Noosa Walks and Trails |url=https://www.rwnoosaholidays.com.au/things-to-do/noosa-walks-and-trails |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309022040/https://www.rwnoosaholidays.com.au/things-to-do/noosa-walks-and-trails |archive-date=9 March 2019 |access-date=2018-11-06 |website=rwnoosaholidays.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

The Yandina-Coolum Road enters from the west.<ref>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Coolum+Beach+QLD+4573/@-26.5324839,153.0280819,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b9371c94f33f59b:0x502a35af3dea950!8m2!3d-26.5291461!4d153.0909772!16s%2Fm%2F02688jt?entry=ttu |title=Coolum Beach, Queensland |access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref>

== History == The town's name originated from the indigenous term "gulum" or "kulum," meaning "blunt" or "headless," in reference to Mount Coolum's shape.<ref name="Coolum Town History">{{Cite web |title=Coolum Town History |url=https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/museums-and-places/town-histories/coolum |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au}}</ref>

The Coolum district encompasses the traditional land of the 'Inabara' or 'Yinneburra' clan from the Undanbi tribe, which was a subset of the larger group known as Kabi Kabi (or Gubbi Gubbi).<ref name="Coolum Town History"/>

Coolum Provisional School opened on 2 April 1917. In 1930, it became Coolum State School.<ref name="qfhs">{{Citation |author1=Queensland Family History Society |title=Queensland schools past and present |publication-date=2010 |edition=Version 1.01 |publisher=Queensland Family History Society |isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref>

In December 1923, land in the Mt Coolum Beach Estate second section went to auction, following the successful sale of portions in the first section, and one month after the official opening of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill Cane Tramway extension to Coolum. All lots were described as having an uninterrupted view of the Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{Citation|title=Mt. Coolum Beach [Estate] 2nd section|date=1923|hdl = 10462/deriv/253868|via=State Library of Queensland}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76854508|title=Advertising|date=24 December 1925|newspaper=Nambour Chronicle And North Coast Advertiser|access-date=29 October 2019|issue=1128|location=Queensland, Australia|volume=XXIII|page=2|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912033223/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76854508|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1931, the Coolum Beach branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association were donated a block of land and purchased the adjacent block at 7–9 Coolum Terrace ({{Coord|-26.5326|153.0917|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=CWA Hall (former)}}). In 1965, a former school building was moved onto the block which was replaced with a new building in 1990. In 2013, the CWA decided that the hall was under-utilised and that its increasing property value should be realised to support other projects.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mackander|first=M.|date=20 April 2013|title=CWA branch looking for new members to keep club alive|url=https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/cwa-branch-looking-new-members-keep-group-alive/1837463/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-19|website=Sunshine Coast Daily|language=en|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309004351/https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/cwa-branch-looking-new-members-keep-group-alive/1837463/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Erle|first=L.|date=16 September 2013|title=Coolum hall a big hit on the international sales market|url=https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/buyers-eye-coolum-site/2021115/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-19|website=Sunshine Coast Daily|language=en|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308205230/https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/buyers-eye-coolum-site/2021115/}}</ref> The property was sold into private ownership on 21 September 2013 for $660,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garry |first=Mike |date=4 October 2013 |title=Former CWA hall goes for a scone |url=https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/former-cwa-hall-goes-for-a-scone/2038580/ |access-date=2021-03-19 |website=Sunshine Coast Daily |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-26.532676,153.0914548,3a,37.5y,77.54h,89t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s358--s51yxeT-ORhGnkacw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D358--s51yxeT-ORhGnkacw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D62.760365%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192|access-date=19 March 2021|title=7 Coolum Terrace (former CWA Hall) - Street View}}</ref>

Holy Spirit Anglican Church was dedicated on 14 November 1970. It was consecrated by Archbishop Felix Arnott on 5 November 1977.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-01 |title=About Us |url=https://anglicanchurchcoolum.com/about-us/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Coolum Anglican Church |language=en |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412122052/https://anglicanchurchcoolum.com/about-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Coolum State High School opened on 29 January 1985.<ref name="qfhs" />

The Coolum Library opened in 1989 with a major refurbishment in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|page=16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>

In 2002, Coolum hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, replacing the 2001 meeting that was postponed and moved from Brisbane in the wake of the September 11 attacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) |url=https://www.moadoph.gov.au/blog/the-commonwealth-heads-of-government-meeting-chogm |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Museum of Australian Democracy |language=en |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314090448/https://www.moadoph.gov.au/blog/the-commonwealth-heads-of-government-meeting-chogm/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coolum Declaration on the Commonwealth in the 21st Century: Continuity and Renewal, 2002 |url=https://thecommonwealth.org/coolum-declaration-commonwealth-21st-century-continuity-and-renewal-2002 |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=The Commonwealth |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307202211/https://thecommonwealth.org/coolum-declaration-commonwealth-21st-century-continuity-and-renewal-2002 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Along with a number of other regional Australian newspapers owned by NewsCorp, the ''Coolum News'' newspaper ceased publication in June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2020 |title=Future is digital: News announces major changes |url=https://www.gattonstar.com.au/news/future-digital-news-announces-major-changes/4025188/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222032551/https://www.gattonstar.com.au/news/future-digital-news-announces-major-changes/4025188/ |archive-date=2020-12-22 |access-date=2020-12-22 |website=Gatton Star |language=en}}</ref>

== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the suburb of Coolum Beach had a population of 8,497 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30691|name=Coolum Beach (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the suburb of Coolum Beach had a population of 9,152 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30686|name=Coolum Beach (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}</ref>

== Education == thumb|Coolum State High School, 2018 Coolum State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at School Road ({{coord|-26.5350|153.0783|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Coolum State School}}).<ref name="SchoolList2018">{{cite web |date=9 July 2018 |title=State and non-state school details |url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-16 |title=Coolum State School |url=https://coolumss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Coolum State School |language=en |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322144811/https://coolumss.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1,025 students with 69 teachers (63 full-time equivalent) and 45 non-teaching staff (28 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018">{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2018 |url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |access-date=28 January 2020 |publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority |archive-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |url-status=live }}</ref> It includes a special education program.<ref name="SchoolList2018" />

Coolum State High School is a government secondary school for boys and girls at Havana Road East ({{coord|-26.5019|153.0862|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Coolum State High School}}); the school services grades 7 through 12.<ref name="SchoolList2018" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-11 |title=Coolum State High School |url=https://coolumshs.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Coolum State High School |language=en |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322144459/https://coolumshs.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1,092 students with 88 teachers (84 full-time equivalent) and 34 non-teaching staff (26 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018" /> It includes a special education program.<ref name="SchoolList2018" />

Despite the name, Coolum Beach Christian College is in neighbouring Yandina Creek.<ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>

== Amenities == The Sunshine Coast Council operates a public library at 6 Park Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/About-Libraries/Open-Hours/Coolum-Library|title=Coolum Library|website=Sunshine Coast Regional Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130205040/https://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/About-Libraries/Open-Hours/Coolum-Library|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>

Coolum Beach Uniting Church is at 22–26 Elizabeth Street (corner of Heathfield Road, {{Coord|-26.5286|153.0883|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Coolum Beach Uniting Church}}).<ref>{{cite web|title=Find a Church|url=https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024234524/https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|archive-date=24 October 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=COOLUM BEACH|url=https://www.maryburnettpres.org.au/coolum-beach/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Mary Burnett Presbytery|archive-date=22 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522080348/https://www.maryburnettpres.org.au/coolum-beach/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Coolum Beach Uniting Church|url=https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/locations/queensland/directory/1288-coolum-beach-uniting-church|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Churches Australia|language=en|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912033222/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/locations/queensland/directory/1288-coolum-beach-uniting-church}}</ref>

Holy Spirit Anglican Church is 25 Beach Road (corner of Perry Street, {{Coord|-26.5326|153.0902|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Holy Spirit Anglican Church}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coolum Anglican Church |url=https://anglicanchurchcoolum.com/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Coolum Anglican Church |language=en |archive-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204145001/https://anglicanchurchcoolum.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Attractions == Coolum Beach is a popular day trip and holiday destination. The town is focused around the beach, which is patrolled by life savers and offers swimming and surfing; in its day, the beach is known as one of the best breaks in Queensland. Parks, a boardwalk, esplanade shops, and the surf lifesaver club surround the beach. Over the last five years Coolum Beach has seen heavy development, with new buildings for retail business and holiday apartments.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

Lows Lookout is a tourist attraction at the top of Grandview Drive on Toboggan Hill ({{coord|-26.5352|153.0907|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Lows Lookout}}).<ref name="TouristPoints">{{Cite web |date=18 November 2020 |title=Tourist points - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/c0b6c26c-6bde-452c-b60a-d77b969b60d2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124222328/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/c0b6c26c-6bde-452c-b60a-d77b969b60d2 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref><ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-26.5353417,153.090687,3a,62.2y,21.8h,88.46t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1syyAjw0uQe_WghBRpOsb_9w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DyyAjw0uQe_WghBRpOsb_9w%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D6.7156725%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656|access-date=30 March 2022|title=Lows Lookout}}</ref>

== Public transport == Kinetic Sunshine Coast is contracted to Translink, which operates local buses.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

The nearest railway station is Yandina Railway Station. From the Yanida Railway Station, there are Queensland Rail trains to Roma Street railway station in Brisbane, as well as a line to Ipswich and North Gympie.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

== Notable people == Notable people who are from or have lived in Coolum include: * Essena O'Neill, internet celebrity who left social media<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Kellie |date=2015-11-03 |title='Instafamous' teen reveals social media's ugly truth |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-03/instagram-personality-essena-oneill-reveals-social-media-truth/6908270 |access-date=2022-03-30 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108120225/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-03/instagram-personality-essena-oneill-reveals-social-media-truth/6908270 |url-status=live }}</ref> *Julian Wilson, professional surfer competing in the World Surf League Men's Tour<ref>{{cite web |title=About Julian Wilson |url=http://www.julianwilson.com/about |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123100531/http://www.julianwilson.com/about |archive-date=23 November 2013 |access-date=21 November 2013 |publisher=JulianWilson.com}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Further reading == * {{Cite book| author1=Windolf, Frances | author2=Windolf, John | title=An island surrounded by land : the history of an earlier Coolum | year=2004 | publication-date=2004 | publisher=Zusammen Books | isbn=978-0-9589110-1-6}}

== External links == {{commons category}} * {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/coolum-beach|title=Coolum Beach|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}} *Historical Aerial Images of [https://aerostock.com.au/photos?address=Coolum+Beach+QLD+4573%2C+Australia&latitude=-26.52915&longitude=153.09098&address_query=&radius=5&year=2003%3B2021 Coolum Beach] sourced at AeroStock

{{Sunshine Coast Region}}

Category:Suburbs of the Sunshine Coast Region Category:Beaches of Queensland Category:Towns in Queensland