On the oceanfront, between Noosa National Park and Peregian, lies one of the most exclusive residential areas in Queensland, if not Australia. Sunshine Beach, a leafy northern suburb which abuts the national park, has been the address of choice for the rich and famous for almost three decades. It melts into Sunrise Beach and continues south through Castaways Beach to Marcus Beach. Together they make up the Noosa coast, a district of 1115 hectares with a density of 6.66 people per hectare at the 2006 census. Sunshine Beach, with its streets of lavish multi-million dollar mansions sitting on top of the high dunes overlooking the ocean, is unquestionably the exclusive territory of the very rich. The nearby village is lined with trendy cafes and has a hint of Europe. There are still some properties for the lesser budget east of the David Low Way but the streets to the west are much more affordable. Nevertheless, Sunshine Beach is a designer label address. Sunrise is catching up and shedding its “poor cousin” tag, particularly with the splendid homes on the hills. Both have patrolled beaches. Castaways and Marcus are also more affordable but still have prestige homes and a price tag that comes with life on the Noosa coast. Development of the area has been steady since the 1970s, although its proximity to Noosa saw the number of homes rocket during the 1990s, a trend that ground to a halt in the new millennium when available land started to run out.
Summing up:The Noosa coast is not for families on a budget, but there is some affordable housing scattered among the streets of exclusive residences, particularly on the western side of the David Low Way. The cost is justified by proximity to the beach, fantastic views and access to the David Low Way. There are also basics such as a shopping centre, schools and sports facilities as well as the bicentennial hall.
