Pacific Center - Migration Services
SUNSHINE COAST

SUNSHINE OVERVIEW:

The Sunshine Coast encompasses beach resorts, surf spots and rural hinterland in southern Queensland, Australia. It stretches from the coastal city of Caloundra, near Brisbane, north to the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, home to multicoloured sand dunes, mangrove forests, and shallow lakes. Upscale Noosa Heads has boutique shops, waterways, and walking trails through Noosa National Park.


Only an hour's drive north of Queensland's capital you'll join the laid-back lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast. Leave your footprints in the 100km stretch of sandy coastline, or take in the sweeping views from the volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains.


Beyond the sparkling beaches and lush hinterland are communities that create the true essence of the Sunshine Coast. From the sophisticated village of Noosa, to the urban centre of Maroochydore, the easy-going charm of Caloundra and the natural beauty of the Pumicestone Passage, each seaside spot has its own personality to get to know.

From the paddock to the sea, the Sunshine Coast boasts culinary experiences to feed both your belly and your soul. You can taste the region's abundant flavours directly from the farm or trawler, fresh from the local markets, or straight to your plate at the state's best top-tier restaurants.


Connect with nature, and experience true tranquillity as you paddle through the Noosa Everglades; one of only two of the world's everglades systems. Kayaking under the tree canopy, taking in the local flora and listening to the birds is the perfect refresher in this peaceful pocket of the Sunshine Coast.


If you've got the time, swap the bitumen for the beach and take the Great Beach Drive connecting the Sunshine Coast to Fraser Island. With the beach as your road, journey through natural parks, world-heritage listed wonders and encounter a myriad of local wildlife.


All major Australian airlines fly directly into the Sunshine Coast Airport at Maroochydore or, if you prefer to drive, the journey from Brisbane Airport is about 100km.


Trains and buses also run daily from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.

If you're after a place to hit the refresh button and focus on invigorating your mind and body, you've found it at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.


This is a place where the first things you see in the morning (apart from the local barista) are the dolphins, koalas and sea turtles you spot on your morning stroll.


Centred around the buzzing hive of food and fashion that is Hastings Street, this sophisticated coastal town is everything a holidaymaker could dream of and more. The beaches speckled along the coastline of Noosa National Park are waiting for you. In between dips in the ocean and stand up paddle-boarding expeditions, spread out your towel, slap on a hat and open the pages of your latest novel. Or bring your board: Noosa was named the 10th World Surfing Reserve in 2019. Famed for its laid-back surfing culture, it's also home of the Noosa Festival of Surfing WSL Longboard Open each February.


After a change of scenery? The Noosa Hinterland is the sleepy countryside region calling your name. Pop into local favourite Eumundi Markets every Saturday and Wednesday morning for the local produce and treasures of the region.

SUNSHINE COAST WEATHER:

Aptly named, the Sunshine Coast experiences one of the most ideal climates and highest sunshine levels in the world. Averaging approximately 7 hours of sunshine a day, the seasonal variations are less extreme than those seen in Europe, northern Asia and North America.

Temperatures in the Sunshine Coast are generally warm year round with summer temperatures averaging 17 - 28 degrees Celsius from December to February and autumn temperatures falling between 13 - 25 degrees Celsius from March to May. However the coastal location benefits from cooling sea breezes on warmer days.

The Sunshine Coast's climate remains steady even in the change to winter with temperatures ranging between 7 - 22 degrees Celsius during June to August. Spring is similarly mild with temperatures reaching between 13 - 25 degrees Celsius.

Although the Blackall Range can experience temperatures several degrees cooler than other parts of the Sunshine Coast, there is always the trademark sunny weather to keep the climate enjoyable.

The Sunshine Coast's main rainfall occurs in the first few months of the year with an average of 300 mm falling which drops off to an average of just 40 mm throughout the winter months.

Despite minimum temperatures falling in winter, the ocean remains a pleasant 19 degrees Celsius while in summer the ocean is a warm 26 degrees Celsius meaning the beaches are always busy with both locals and tourists alike.Daylight saving is not observed in Queensland. The time zone in Queensland is Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), UTC +10.

December experiences the longest hours of daylight with sunrise at approximately 4:45am and sunset at 6:40pm. June has the least hours of daylight with sunrise at approximately 6:30am and sunset at 5pm.

On the Gold Coast, humidity rarely drops below 65 per cent, climbing as high as 75 per cent during summer.In summer the average sea temperature ranges from 25.4 - 27.1°C (77.7 - 80.8°F), and dips in winter to 21.5 - 22.6°C (70.7 - 72.7°F).

Visitors to the Gold Coast should look out for the UV index in local weather reports, which describes the daily solar UV radiation intensity. Protect yourself from sunburn by using SPF30+ sunscreen, which is readily available throughout Australia at supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies, and wearing sun-smart clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.

SUNSHINE COAST COST OF LIVING:

Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are popular destinations for students, but with the increased financial pressure of living in these cities increases, more and more students are being drawn to regional areas like the Sunshine Coast that offer an unrivalled lifestyle and affordable living. The Sunshine Coast is a much cheaper option for students because we don’t have the same rental prices that you find in the city, leaving students with more cash for the more important things in life Sunshine Coast Council Economic Development Portfolio Councillor said high levels of local business confidence are helping make our region a more affordable choice for students by providing employment opportunities across a number of industries. On average, a three-bedroom rental in Sydney or Melbourne can cost around $600 per week compared to a Sunshine Coast three-bedroom property that is usually around $430 a week according to real estate statistics.

You would need around 8,165.29A$ in Sydney to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 6,300.00A$ in Sunshine Coast (assuming you rent in both cities). See some other costs:

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)11.00 A$
Cappuccino (regular)4.33 A$
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)2.53 A$
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)7.00 A$
Milk (regular), (1 liter)1.82 A$
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)2.72 A$
Rice (white), (1kg)3.88 A$
Potato (1kg)3.25 A$
Chicken Fillets (1kg)13.75 A$
Local Cheese (1kg)13.20 A$


One-way Ticket (Local Transport)4.62 A$
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)370.80 A$
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)82.50 A$
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult95.00 A$
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat20.00 A$


1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)82.50 A$
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)110.00 A$

SUNSHINE COAST LIFESTYLE:

Whether you’re in the mood to enjoy a dip in the surf, take a hike in the hinterland or splash some cash at the shops, the Sunshine Coast offers activities, attractions and events to keep everyone entertained. The perfect combination of city, sea and countryside, there’s always something new to tick off the bucket list.

We probably don’t need to highlight how brilliant the beaches are, but we’re totally going to anyway. Hosting some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, the Sunshine Coast is the perfect spot for surfers and beach lovers. Some of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast include: Noosa Heads Main Beach, Mooloolaba Beach, Coolum Beach, Kings Beach, Caloundra and Mudjimba Beach.

One visit to the Sunshine Coast and you’ll see just how relaxed the culture is. The friendly locals are always up for a chat and happy to help. If you’re keen on a laidback lifestyle, the Sunny Coast’s calm atmosphere is perfect for you.

If spotting a celebrity on the beach in a budgie-smuggler isn’t enough culture for you, the Sunshine Coast has plenty of venues for you to get your art and culture fix.

If you’re more drawn to the lush greenery of the Sunshine Coast hinterlands than you are to the white sandy beaches, Eumundi is your ideal escape to nature. This small town is home to a thriving art and live-music scene. It also hosts the famous Eumundi markets and offers a friendly village-like community. There are two primary schools in Eumundi, but no big supermarket.

Noosa has it all. From the beach and boutiques to the bars and restaurants, this busy spot isn’t just great for holidays. Noosa offers plenty of activities for people of all ages and is home to several schools and childcare centres. As a hip and trendy place, it can get busy on weekends and during the school holidays. If you’re feeling flustered from the occasional crowds, you can take a walk at Noosa National Park.

Sure, it’s a little ‘touristy’, but Mooloolaba is a beautiful spot to plant your roots nonetheless. The esplanade is dotted with boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. Mooloolaba is home to one of the best beaches on the Sunny Coast, and it’s also known for its great nightlife, while remaining a safe and family-friendly place to live.

Want to be walking distance from the sand, but don’t want to share your spot with a crowd of people? Located between Sunshine Coast central and Noosa, Peregian Beach is a quaint seaside village with a big heart. It’s perfect for young families, offering parks and playgrounds for weekend fun. Here you can enjoy a laidback lifestyle without the hustle and bustle of busier Sunshine Coast spots.

SUNSHINE COAST TRANSPORT:

The Sunshine Coast offers a range of transport options for students including buses, trains and taxi services. Bus services are a cheap option to travel around the Sunshine Coast. By purchasing a Go Card, you can access bus services all over the Sunshine Coast at student concession rates. The University of the Sunshine Coast offers shuttle services to and from the University from a range of locations on the Sunshine Coast.

If you need to get to Brisbane airport, the train from Nambour is an option and there are several shuttle services such as Con-x-ion buses, which will take you directly to and from your home. If you are an avid cyclist, the Sunshine Coast has access to a range of cycling lanes and pathways.

Sunbus provides frequent bus services for TransLink throughout the Coast. Go card is TransLink's electronic ticket to travel seamlessly on all* TransLink bus, train, ferry and tram services. Plus, it entitles you to a minimum 30% saving on all fares. It's simple to use. All you need to do is top up your card, touch on at the start of your journey and touch off at the end.

You can buy a go card at selected retailers including 7-Eleven and NightOwl stores and some newsagencies across South East Queensland.

Make go card yours, or it could be anyone's. The go explore card is now available on the Sunshine Coast! Visitors to the region can use go explore to get to popular tourist destinations and to explore the coast, with unlimited bus travel* for just $10 a day for adults ($5 for children). You can easily reload extra day passes and you don't need to travel on consecutive days.

Try a healthy alternative and ride part of the way to work. You can leave your bike at the secure storage facilities at Maroochydore bus station and freshen up before you catch your bus.

Maroochydore bus station has secure storage for 24 bicycles and two showers for those passengers keen to add a bit more activity into their daily commute.

Once you are registered, you will be provided a key for both the storage cage and shower facilities for use at any time.

REQUEST A QUOTE FOR SUNSHINE COAST:

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