Coolum Beach, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Coolum Beach Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Coolum Beach, looking north
Coolum Beach Location in Queensland
Population	9,152 (2021 census)
• Density	335.2/km2 (868/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	26.8 km (17 mi) NE of Nambour 37.8 km (23 mi) N of Caloundra 118 km (73 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region, Divisions 8 and 9
State electorate(s)	Ninderry Maroochydore
Federal Division(s)	Fairfax
Localities 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 fun beachside town and coastal area in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It's a great spot for holidays! In 2021, about 9,152 people lived in Coolum Beach.

What is the Geography of Coolum Beach?

Coolum Beach is surrounded by interesting natural features. It has a few mountains and hills, especially Mount Coolum to the south. This mountain is a really big part of the landscape.

Mountains and Hills in Coolum Beach

Here are some of the mountains and hills you can find in the area:

• Mount Peregian (also called Mount Emu) is about 71 meters tall.
• Toboggan Hill is around 80 meters tall.
• Eurungunder Hill reaches about 100 meters high.

Coastal Features of Coolum Beach

The town also has beautiful coastal spots:

• Peregian Beach stretches south from Peregian Beach.
• Coolum Beach itself is right along the middle of the coastline.
• Point Perry is another notable spot along the coast.

The Yandina-Coolum Road is a main road that comes into Coolum Beach from the west.

What is the History of Coolum Beach?

Coolum Beach has a rich history, starting with its name and the first people who lived there.

How Coolum Beach Got Its Name

The name "Coolum" comes from an old Indigenous word, "gulum" or "kulum." This word means "blunt" or "headless." It describes the unique shape of Mount Coolum.

Traditional Land and Early Visitors

The Coolum area is the traditional home of the 'Inabara' or 'Yinneburra' clan. They were part of the larger Kabi Kabi (or Gubbi Gubbi) group. The first Europeans to pass through Coolum were castaways in 1823. Later, more shipwrecked sailors also visited the area.

Important Dates in Coolum Beach History

• 1842: The name Coolum was first written down.
• 1871: Grainger Ward was the first person to get land here for farming cattle.
• 1917: Coolum Provisional School opened its doors. It became Coolum State School in 1930.
• 1923: Land was sold in the Mt Coolum Beach Estate. This happened after a special tramway for sugar cane, the Moreton Central Sugar Mill Cane Tramway, was extended to Coolum.
• 1970: Holy Spirit Anglican Church was officially opened.
• 1985: Coolum State High School welcomed its first students.
• 1989: The Coolum Library opened, giving the community a place to read and learn.
• 2002: Coolum hosted a very important meeting called the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2002. Leaders from many countries came together here.
• 2020: The local newspaper, the Coolum News, stopped being published.

How Many People Live in Coolum Beach?

The population of Coolum Beach has grown over the years.

• In 2016, there were 8,497 people living in Coolum Beach.
• By 2021, the population had grown to 9,152 people.

What Schools are in Coolum Beach?

Coolum Beach has great schools for students of all ages.

Coolum State High School, 2018

Coolum State School

Coolum State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on School Road. In 2018, over 1,000 students attended the school. It also has a special program for students who need extra support.

Coolum State High School

Coolum State High School is a secondary school for students in Years 7 to 12. You can find it on Havana Road East. In 2018, about 1,092 students were enrolled. This school also offers a special education program.

It's interesting to note that Coolum Beach Christian College is actually in the nearby area of Yandina Creek.

What Amenities Does Coolum Beach Offer?

Coolum Beach has several useful places and services for its residents and visitors.

Coolum Library

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council runs a public library at 6 Park Street. It's a great place to borrow books, use computers, and find information.

Local Churches

• Coolum Beach Uniting Church is located at 22-26 Elizabeth Street.
• Holy Spirit Anglican Church is at 25 Beach Road.

What are the Main Attractions in Coolum Beach?

Coolum Beach is a very popular place for day trips and holidays because of its beautiful beach and other fun spots.

The Beach and Its Surroundings

The town is centered around Coolum Beach, which is perfect for swimming and surfing. Lifesavers patrol the beach to keep everyone safe. Around the beach, you'll find parks, a boardwalk, shops, and the surf lifesaver club. The area has seen a lot of new buildings for shops and holiday apartments recently.

Lows Lookout

Lows Lookout is a special spot for tourists. It's at the top of Grandview Drive on Toboggan Hill. From here, you can get amazing views of the area.

How Can You Get Around Coolum Beach?

Coolum Beach has public transport options to help people get around.

Local Buses

Local buses are operated by Kinetic Group and are part of the Translink network. These buses help you travel within the town and to nearby areas.

Train Travel

The closest train station is Yandina Railway Station. From there, you can catch Queensland Rail trains to Roma Street railway station in Brisbane, or to Ipswich and North Gympie.

Who are Some Famous People from Coolum Beach?

Coolum Beach has been home to some well-known individuals:

• Essena O'Neill: An internet celebrity who decided to leave social media.
• Julian Wilson: A professional surfer who competes in the World Surf League Men's Tour.

Images for kids

• 

  Coolum Beach, looking north

• 

  Coolum State High School, 2018