By Susan Schwartz
Caloundra is shaking off its old reputation as a country town by the sea, with a number of new developments in the pipeline off the back of surging demand for quality residential and holiday accommodation.
Property agents are describing the Sunshine Coast city as a “national development hotspot.” The Sunshine Coast Council also plans to attract more resort-style developments to the area.
Henzells property consultant Iain Simms said the area was a popular destination to upsize and downsize.
“Historically, people have driven past Caloundra on their way to Noosa or Mooloolaba,” Mr Simms said.
“Caloundra still has room to grow, and with the development of the new train line that interest will increase as people freshly discover the area.”
The latest development to be announced is the demolition of the old caravan park at 9 Onslow Street, Golden Beach to make way for a luxurious 60-unit complex by Sunshine Coast developer Cube.
The deal led by Colliers agents Nick Dowling and Baydn Dodds resulted in the $10.775 million sale of the 11,236sqm site, just 100 metres from the beach.
Cube Developments has submitted a development application to the Sunshine Coast Council for the five-storey development to be delivered on a 2,036sqm portion of the site.
It will feature sweeping ocean and Glasshouse Mountain views, resort-style amenities including a pool, recovery spa, food and beverage outlet, and commercial space.
It has been designed to appeal to downsizers and lifestyle seekers, and represents a major step in the reinvigoration of Golden Beach.
Colliers Sunshine Coast Managing Director Nick Dowling said Caloundra was one of Australia’s most supply-constrained and tightly held coastal markets.
“We saw really strong interest in the site nationwide with 111 enquiries, resulting in four formal offers,” Mr Dowling said.
“Developers were drawn to its walkable amenity, laid-back lifestyle, and the coasts’ growing infrastructure pipeline.
“The site provided an ideal opportunity for developers to take advantage of a rapidly growing pocket of the Coast.”
Colliers Special Projects Manager Baydn Dodds said the deal highlighted the Sunshine Coast’s status as a national development hotspot following several major site transactions on Bulcock Street in 2025.
These include Gardner Vaughan Group’s $19 million acquisition at 1-9 Bulcock Street with plans for 179-apartments, also brokered by Colliers; and RCQ’s acquisition of 126-140 Bulcock Street with plans for a three-tower development over 12 levels.
“This transaction reflects the ongoing strength of the Sunshine Coast market and the high level of demand for development opportunities in lifestyle destinations like Caloundra,” Mr Dodds said.
“The Sunshine Coast is forecast to grow by nearly 240,000 people to 2046, requiring almost 90,000 new homes. That equates to around 3,600 new dwellings per year just to keep up.
“The region is one of only three markets nationally to record an increase in crane activity, showing renewed momentum across the development pipeline – particularly in the residential sector.”
Mr Simms, who specialises in Golden Beach, said that there had been a significant number of prestige units hitting the market at Bokarina Beach.
But Golden Beach had not yet seen wholesale development activity and the highest price point that had been tested in the area was in the early $2 million range.
“The major development on Golden Beach has been more people purchasing older homes and building residential dwellings,” Mr Simms said.
“These are mainly owner-occupiers, who buy old fibro shacks, knock them down and build and move in, and a year or two later they move on.
“There has been townhouses and duplex development. But historically because Golden Beach appeals to the older generation median age 55-60, a lot of buyers don’t want stairs which can be hard to incorporate in developments.”
Cube’s planned development at Onslow Street will join its growing Sunshine Coast portfolio of high-calibre projects which includes Oasis at Bokarina Beach, Nature at Cotton Tree, and an expansion of the Oaks resort.
Cube Developments Director Scott Juniper said Golden Beach was fast becoming one of Queensland’s most sought-after property destinations.
“The once sleepy suburb of Golden Beach has well and truly arrived,” Mr Juniper said.
“World-class infrastructure projects, coupled with an unmatched water-based lifestyle, are fuelling growing demand in the area.”
Deputy Premier and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said the State Government’s approval of a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) relating to the development of resorts or hotels in Caloundra and Maroochydore would encourage more expansion in the area.
“The TLPI, which will be in effect for two years, provides additional building height allowances and a reduced on-site car parking rate for eligible hotels,” Mr Bleijie said.
