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Coolum Beach, Queensland facts for kids

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Coolum Beach
Sunshine CoastQueensland
Sunshine coast 02.jpg
Coolum Beach, looking north
Coolum Beach is located in Queensland
Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach
Location in Queensland
Population 8,497 (2016 census)
 • Density 311.2/km2 (806/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4573
Elevation 8 m (26 ft)
Area 27.3 km2 (10.5 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s) Sunshine Coast Region, Divisions 8 and 9
State electorate(s)
  • Ninderry
  • Maroochydore
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

Coolum Beach is a beachside town and coastal suburb in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the suburb of Coolum Beach had a population of 8,497 people.

History

The name is derived from the local Undumbi word gulum or guloom, meaning "blunt" or "headless", referring to the shape of Mount Coolum, which has no peak.

According to Aboriginal legend, Ninderry knocked off Coolum's head and it fell into the ocean and is now Mudjimba Island.

The Coolum district was the traditional land of the Inabara or Yinneburra clan of the Undanbi Tribe. In turn, they were part of the larger group of the Kabi Kabi.

In 1823, the first Europeans to pass through Coolum were castaways and shipwrecked sailors. The first land selection in Coolum was made in 1871 by Grainger Ward - a pastoral lease of 255 hectares. Here, Ward ran upwards of 300 head of cattle. In 1881, Mark Blasdall selected his own lease of 252 hectares. Blasdall was the first to plan sugarcane in the area and to cut timber. He built two huts and a sawmill as well as clearing Coolum Creek, thus enabling steampships to enter to load timber and deliver supplies. By 1882 the steampships 'Tadorna Radjah' and 'Gneering' began to regularly travel from Brisbane to Coolum creek. In 1883 the first Coolum land was freehold and by 1884, Blasdall was declared insolvent and his land freeholded.

The first permanent settler of Coolum was William Perry-Keene and his family in 1905. His home was called "Green Hills" and was situated at the corner of Beach Road, Daytona and Key West Avenues. Between 1906 and 1912 many people settled permanently in the region. By 1912 there were eight to 12 families living in the district. In 1909, Coulsin established a mailboat service on the Maroochy River. This provided the first regular connection between Coolum and the railhead at Yandina. In 1911, a horse-drawn tramline and punt loading facilities were built at Coolum Creek.

Construction of the first paved road to Coolum was undertaken between 1922 and 1925. This provided vehicle access from Coolum to Yandina. In 1923, the tramline to Coolum was opened and unscheduled passenger services began. Over this time considerable expansion of the sugarcane industry took place. Cane farming provided the main source of financial stability in the district until the advent of tourism in the 1960s.

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.

In 2006 Australian census, the population of Coolum was 7,744.

Geography

Mount Coolum dominates the landscape, and can be seen from most of Coolum. Mt Coolum National Park provides a 1.6 km bush walk up the mountain to 360 degree views of the coast. The track was upgraded in 2012 to improve safety and accessibility.

Public transport

Sunbus, a division of TransLink operates local buses.

The nearest railway station is Yandina Railway Station from where there are Queensland Rail trains to Roma Street railway station in Brisbane as well as a line to Ipswich and North Gympie.

Education

Coolum State High School, 2018
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)). 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). It includes a special education program.

Coolum State High School is a government secondary (7-12) 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)). 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). It includes a special education program.

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

Notable people

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

  • Essena O'Neill, internet celebrity who left social media
  • Julian Wilson, professional surfer competing in the World Surf League Men's Tour
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