Coolum Beach, Queensland

Coolum Beach is a beachside town and coastal suburb in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3]In the 2021 census, the suburb of Coolum Beach had a population of 9,152 people.[4]

Coolum Beach
Sunshine CoastQueensland
Coolum Beach, looking north
Coolum Beach is located in Queensland
Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach
Coordinates26°31′46″S 153°05′28″E / 26.5295°S 153.0910°E / -26.5295; 153.0910 (Coolum Beach (town centre))
Population9,152 (SAL 2021)[1]
Postcode(s)4573
Elevation8 m (26 ft)
Area27.3 km2 (10.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Sunshine Coast Region, Divisions 8 and 9
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Fairfax
Suburbs around Coolum Beach:
Verrierdale Peregian Springs Peregian Beach
Yandina Creek Coolum Beach Coral Sea
Maroochy River Mount Coolum Yaroomba
Point Arkwright

Geography edit

Coolum Beach has the following mountains (from north to south):

Coolum Beach has the following coastal features (from north to south):

However, Mount Coolum (to the south of the suburb) dominates the landscape.[11]

The Yandina-Coolum Road enters from the west.[12]

History edit

The town's name originated from the indigenous term "gulum" or "kulum," meaning "blunt" or "headless," in reference to Mount Coolum's shape.[13]

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).[14]

Coolum Provisional School opened on 2 April 1917. In 1930, it became Coolum State School.[15]

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.[16][17]

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 (26°31′57″S 153°05′30″E / 26.5326°S 153.0917°E / -26.5326; 153.0917 (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.[18][19] The property was sold into private ownership on 21 September 2013 for $660,000.[20][21]

Holy Spirit Anglican Church was dedicated on 14 November 1970. It was consecrated by Archbishop Felix Arnott on 5 November 1977.[22]

Coolum State High School opened on 29 January 1985.[15]

The Coolum Library opened in 1989 with a major refurbishment in 1997.[23]

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.[24][25]

Along with a number of other regional Australian newspapers owned by NewsCorp, the Coolum News newspaper ceased publication in June 2020.[26]

Demographics edit

In the 2016 census, the suburb of Coolum Beach had a population of 8,497 people.[27]

In the 2021 census, the suburb of Coolum Beach had a population of 9,152 people.[4]

Education edit

 
Coolum State High School, 2018

Coolum State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at School Road (26°32′06″S 153°04′42″E / 26.5350°S 153.0783°E / -26.5350; 153.0783 (Coolum State School)).[28][29] 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).[30] It includes a special education program.[28]

Coolum State High School is a government secondary school for boys and girls at Havana Road East (26°30′07″S 153°05′10″E / 26.5019°S 153.0862°E / -26.5019; 153.0862 (Coolum State High School)); the school services grades 7 through 12.[28][31] 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).[30] It includes a special education program.[28]

Despite the name, Coolum Beach Christian College is in neighbouring Yandina Creek.[32]

Amenities edit

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council operates a public library at 6 Park Street.[33]

Coolum Beach Uniting Church is at 22-26 Elizabeth Street (corner of Heathfield Road, 26°31′43″S 153°05′18″E / 26.5286°S 153.0883°E / -26.5286; 153.0883 (Coolum Beach Uniting Church)).[34][35][36]

Holy Spirit Anglican Church is 25 Beach Road (corner of Perry Street, 26°31′57″S 153°05′25″E / 26.5326°S 153.0902°E / -26.5326; 153.0902 (Holy Spirit Anglican Church)).[37]

Attractions edit

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]

Lows Lookout is a tourist attraction at the top of Grandview Drive on Toboggan Hill (26°32′07″S 153°05′27″E / 26.5352°S 153.0907°E / -26.5352; 153.0907 (Lows Lookout)).[38][39]

Public transport edit

Kinetic Group is contracted to Translink, which operates local buses.[citation needed]

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]

Notable people edit

Notable people who are from or have lived in Coolum include:

References edit

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Coolum Beach (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  
  2. ^ "Coolum Beach – town in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 8151)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Coolum Beach – suburb in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 48580)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Coolum Beach (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  5. ^ a b c d "Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Mount Peregian – mountain in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 26448)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Toboggan Hill – mountain in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 34712)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Eurungunder Hill – mountain in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 12000)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Mountain ranges beaches and sea passages - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Point Perry – mountain in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 26481)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Noosa Walks and Trails". rwnoosaholidays.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ^ Google (18 November 2023). "Coolum Beach, Queensland" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Coolum Town History". heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Coolum Town History". heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  15. ^ a b Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  16. ^ Mt. Coolum Beach [Estate] 2nd section, 1923, hdl:10462/deriv/253868 – via State Library of Queensland
  17. ^ "Advertising". Nambour Chronicle And North Coast Advertiser. Vol. XXIII, no. 1128. Queensland, Australia. 24 December 1925. p. 2. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ Mackander, M. (20 April 2013). "CWA branch looking for new members to keep club alive". Sunshine Coast Daily. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  19. ^ Erle, L. (16 September 2013). "Coolum hall a big hit on the international sales market". Sunshine Coast Daily. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  20. ^ Garry, Mike (4 October 2013). "Former CWA hall goes for a scone". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 19 March 2021.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ Google (19 March 2021). "7 Coolum Terrace (former CWA Hall) - Street View" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  22. ^ "About Us". Coolum Anglican Church. 1 May 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  24. ^ "The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)". Museum of Australian Democracy. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Coolum Declaration on the Commonwealth in the 21st Century: Continuity and Renewal, 2002". The Commonwealth. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  26. ^ "Future is digital: News announces major changes". Gatton Star. 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  27. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Coolum Beach (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  28. ^ a b c d "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  29. ^ "Coolum State School". Coolum State School. 16 May 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  30. ^ a b "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  31. ^ "Coolum State High School". Coolum State High School. 11 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Coolum Library". Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  34. ^ "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  35. ^ "COOLUM BEACH". Mary Burnett Presbytery. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Coolum Beach Uniting Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  37. ^ "Coolum Anglican Church". Coolum Anglican Church. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  38. ^ "Tourist points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  39. ^ Google (30 March 2022). "Lows Lookout" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  40. ^ Scott, Kellie (3 November 2015). "'Instafamous' teen reveals social media's ugly truth". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  41. ^ "About Julian Wilson". JulianWilson.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.

Further reading edit

  • Windolf, Frances; Windolf, John (2004). An island surrounded by land : the history of an earlier Coolum. Zusammen Books. ISBN 978-0-9589110-1-6.

External links edit

  • "Coolum Beach". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
  • Historical Aerial Images of Coolum Beach sourced at AeroStock