Sunrise Beach is a suburb in Noosa shire, and within 10 minutes’ drive from Noosa Main Beach. It is currently a relatively affordable beachside suburb than its Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach neighbours. Because of its proximity to the beach, Sunrise Beach, Noosa Heads and also Noosa Junction as well as great public schools and the Noosa Aquatic Centre, it has become a highly popular suburb for families.
If you’re looking to relocate or purchase a Sunrise Beach home or investment property, you need local knowledge about key suburbs and areas to make the most informed decision that best suits your needs. Whether you are interested in Sunrise Beach apartments for sale, Sunrise Beach houses for sale, or Sunrise Beach units for sale, this guide provides a comprehensive overview.
Key Sunrise Beach areas and neighbourhoods
Whether you are interested in buying a Sunrise Beach apartment or unit, or buying a Sunrise Beach house, it’s important to know the different areas within Sunrise Beach, as well as the difference between Sunshine Beach and Sunrise Beach.
Sunrise Beach is located between the adjacent suburbs of Noosa Heads (including Noosa Junction) to the north and west, Sunshine Beach to the east and Castaways Beach to the south. Its key residential neighbourhoods tend to be divided by Ben Lexcen Drive. To the west of Ben Lexcen drive is the back of Sunrise Beach, and to the east of Ben Lexcen Drive you have properties which have closer access to the beach and can command higher prices (depending on the property).
So when looking to buy your Sunrise Beach investment property or own home, it is worthwhile to find out from a local first about the specific neighbourhood you’re looking at and what it’s like to live there, before you buy or invest.
Is Sunrise Beach a good place to live?
Sunrise beach is a popular choice for many families and downsizes who are wanting a relaxed beach lifestyle, without the price tag of neighbouring suburbs like Sunshine Beach. It is close to the beach as well as schools and shops, and is a relatively flat suburb which makes it easy to navigate around.
Shopping in Sunrise Beach
Sunrise Beach’s nearest key shopping precincts include:
- Noosa Junction (Coles, IGA, K Hub, boutique shops and cafes / restaurants, etc)
- Noosa Civic (Big W, Woolworths, Cotton On, etc), within 10 minute drive
Hastings Street adjacent to Main Beach (boutique and high street apparel labels) - Sunrise Beach shops (small local IGA, butcher, BWS, chemist etc)
Adjacent suburbs to Sunrise Beach include Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach. They also each contain their own shopping precincts. The Noosa Farmers’ Market takes place every Sunday at the AFL Football fields about 10 minutes’ drive away in Noosaville. Nearby Noosaville also has its own shopping precincts – particularly Noosa Village (Woolworths, etc), Aldi on Weyba Road and Noosa Civic.
Sunrise Beach cafes and restaurants
Sunrise Beach doesn’t have a large range of cafes and restaurants – the nearest areas to eat out include Noosa Junction, Sunshine Beach, Noosaville and Peregian Beach.
The Sunrise local’s favourite for beachside cafe and dining is Chalet and Co, so well worth a visit while you’re there.
Getting around Sunrise Beach
Public transport in Sunrise Beach primarily consists of bus services. Cyclists and walkers will appreciate the dedicated bicycle and walking paths. Sunrise Beach is unique for having very few traffic lights (apart from on Ben Lexcen Drive), which means navigating the suburb by car involves many roundabouts.
Approximate distances to key locations include:
- Sunrise Beach to Brisbane: 137 km (1 hr, 45-50 minute drive)
- Sunrise Beach to Maroochydore: 49 km (40 minute drive)
- Sunrise Beach to Sunshine Coast Airport: 27km (35-40 minute drive)
Sunrise Beach climate
As with the rest of the Sunshine Coast area, Sunrise Beach and Noosa areas are renowned for their mild climate and amazing weather almost all year round. The area enjoys a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 25 degrees Celcius. The ocean water temperature ranges from 19 degrees in winter to 25 degrees in summer, making it a popular choice for both living and visiting.
Sunrise Beach property market
Properties closer to Sunrise Beach naturally attract a higher price point than those on the western side of Sunrise Beach. There have traditionally been a lot of low set 80’s style brick homes in the suburb, and these are progressively being renovated or rebuilt to create high end homes. The area has undergone a degree of gentrification in recent years.
There are large variations between different pockets within this suburb. The Noosa zoning map restricts high-rise buildings, maintaining Sunrise Beach’s low density living feel. This limited supply and high demand and relative affordability compared to some other Noosa beach suburbs contribute to the area maintaining relatively strong prices.
Is Sunrise Beach a good investment?
Here are some statistics on the median Sunrise Beach house price, rental yield in Sunrise Beach, and long term average annual growth in Sunrise Beach for houses. For more insight in to the pros and cons of Sunrise Beach in terms of property investment or lifestyle, we would happy to discuss this with you.
Sunrise Beach schools and education
Sunrise Beach offers a variety of public and private schools, making it an ideal location for families with school-aged children.
Within Sunrise Beach are the following key public schools:
There are also private schools like St. Thomas More Catholic Primary School in Sunrise Beach. Other private schools close to Sunrise Beach include:
- Good Shepherd Lutheran College
- St. Teresa’s Catholic College
There are also other public and private schools in suburbs such as Peregian Beach, Cooroy, Coolum, Buderim, etc. If you plan to relocate or buy property in Sunrise Beach, be aware of the travel times to and from these areas. For example:
- Sunrise Beach to Eumundi is 21 km which takes around 20-25 minutes each way via the Eumundi-Noosa Road (80km per hour speed limit)
- Sunrise Beach to Cooroy is 23 km which takes around 25-30 minutes each way via the Cooroy Noosa Road (80km per hour speed limit)
- Sunrise Beach to Peregian Springs is 8 km which takes approximately 10-15 minutes each way on the busy Sunshine Motorway (100km per hour speed limit) / David Low Way (70km per hour speed limit)
- Sunrise Beach to Coolum Beach is 14 km which takes approximately 20 minutes each way on the busy Sunshine Motorway (100km per hour speed limit) / David Low Way (70km per hour speed limit)
- Sunrise Beach to Buderim is around 36 km which takes around 35-40 minutes each way via Sunshine Motorway
While these travel times don’t seem huge at the outset, locals who do that commute back and forth twice per day along those busy roads to get their children to and from school do comment that it can become frustrating and too time consuming.
Sunrise Beach community and activities
Sunrise Beach’s population comprises (ABS, 2021):
- Population – 3,687
Median age – 44 - Owner 71% / renter 29%
- Properties owned outright 33.6%, owned with a mortgage 37.3%, rented 27.3%
- Family 73 % / Single 27%
Sunrise Beach is home to the Noosa Aquatic Centre, which has a 50-metre heated pool, 25-metre heated pool, 17-metre heated program pool, heated toddler pool, heated bubble pool, fitness studio as well as on-site coffee shop and creche.
In addition, there are around 300 community groups across Sunrise Beach and Noosa as a whole and many of these are in Sunrise Beach. They cater to various interests, from sports and recreation to arts and hobbies, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to buy a home or investment property in Sunrise Beach, whether it’s a Sunrise Beach apartment for sale or a house, it’s beneficial to consult with local experts. For more information about living in Sunrise Beach or assistance in purchasing property, get in touch with Home Scouts, your trusted Sunrise Beach Buyers Agent.
