Caloundra (suburb) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Caloundra Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Caloundra waterfront, 2008
Caloundra Location in Queensland
Population	3,917 (2016 census)
• Density	1,224/km2 (3,170/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4551
Area	3.2 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Location	90 km (56 mi) N of Brisbane 19 km (12 mi) E of Landsborough
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
County	Canning
Parish	Bribie
State electorate(s)	Caloundra
Federal Division(s)	Fisher
Suburbs around Caloundra: Aroona Battery Hill Dicky Beach Caloundra West Caloundra Moffat Beach Golden Beach Coral Sea Kings Beach

Caloundra is a lovely coastal suburb in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the wider Sunshine Coast Region. In 2016, about 3,917 people lived in the suburb of Caloundra. It's a popular spot for holidays and a great place to live!

Exploring Caloundra's Location

Caloundra is right on the coast, which means it has beautiful beaches. The main street for shops and businesses is called Bulcock Street. It's a busy and fun area to explore.

Beaches and Waterways

In the southern part of Caloundra, you'll find Deep Water Point. This is a headland that sticks out into the ocean. Close by is Bulcock Beach, a sandy spot perfect for swimming and relaxing. From here, you can see the northern tip of Bribie Island, which is only about 200 meters away across the water. The Coral Sea stretches out beyond the beaches.

A Look Back at Caloundra's History

Caloundra's name comes from the nearby Caloundra Head. This name has a special meaning from the local Kabi language. "Kal/owen" means beech tree, and "dha" means place. So, Caloundra means place of the beech tree.

How Caloundra Grew

The first pieces of land in Caloundra were put up for sale in 1883. Maps from that time show the land had lots of trees like Gum and Oak. It was a hilly area, perfect for building a new town.

More land was sold over the years. In 1917, a large area called 'Bulcock Estate' was advertised. Then, in 1919, 'Caloundra Heads Estate' also had land for sale. These sales helped Caloundra grow into the town it is today.

Schools Opening Their Doors

Education has always been important in Caloundra.

• Caloundra Provisional School first opened its doors on 8 March 1899. It became Caloundra State School in 1912.
• Caloundra State High School welcomed its first students on 23 January 1967.
• Our Lady of the Rosary School, a Catholic primary school, opened on 29 January 1980.
• Caloundra Christian College started on 2 February 1983.

Important Places: Heritage Sites

Caloundra has some special places that are protected because of their history. One of these is the Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park on Bowman Road. These sites help us remember the past of the area.

Learning in Caloundra

Caloundra has several schools for different age groups.

Primary Schools

• Caloundra State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 56A Queen Street. In 2017, about 608 students attended the school.
• Our Lady of the Rosary School is a Catholic primary school for Prep to Year 6 students. You can find it on Alfred Street. In 2017, it had about 313 students.

Secondary Schools

• Caloundra State High School is a government high school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. It's at 88 Queen Street. In 2017, around 1,209 students were enrolled here.
• Caloundra Christian College is a private school that teaches students from Prep all the way to Year 12. It's located at 7 Gregson Place. In 2017, about 330 students attended this college.

Further Education

Caloundra also has a campus of the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE. This is where older students can learn practical skills for different jobs.

Shopping and Fun

Caloundra has places where you can shop and have fun.

Shopping Centres

You can find everything you need at places like Stockland Caloundra and Caloundra Village Shopping Centre. They have lots of different stores.

Parks and Recreation Areas

There are many parks in Caloundra where you can play and relax:

• Bulcock Beach is a popular beach that has lifeguards to keep you safe. It's next to Clarke Place Park.
• Central Park is home to the Caloundra Tennis Centre. Big tennis tournaments like the Caloundra International are held here.
• Ben Bennett Botanical Park is a great place to see different plants.
• Other parks include Bicentennial Park, Lighthouse Park, and Roy Henzell Park.

Other Important Places

Caloundra has many other useful facilities for its residents and visitors:

• Caloundra Hospital provides medical care for the community.
• The Caloundra bus station helps people travel around the area.
• The Caloundra Golf Club is a place for golf lovers.
• There's also a Council service centre for the Sunshine Coast Region.
• You can find many places to stay, from backpacker hostels to fancy resort hotels.