Gold Coast vs The Sunshine Coast...let's break it down. 

It is difficult to find good property now that we are entering a buyer's market, so you need to stay ahead of the competition to be in with a chance. One of the best ways to do that is through sound research and knowing exactly the benefits of each of your target areas. 

It seems that EVERYONE wants to live in Queensland right now, but with the influx of interstate migrants during and post-COVID, property is scarce, so you need to KNOW your stuff.  

For example, what do you really know about the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, the two main areas of southern Queensland? 

Well, firstly, although it is only a 2-hour drive from Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, the two areas couldn’t be more different. Though they may share a preponderance of stunning beaches and an enviable climate, each area has a very individual vibe.

The beaches are stunning but the Sunshine and Gold Coast offer so much more!

Firstly, it is important to recognise that each of these collections of suburbs is relatively new, so aside from their inherited Aboriginal culture, there is not a lot of history or architecture to explore. However, that is clearly not what attracts the residents of this part of the east coast, which In recent years has seen a massive migration of people from interstate for the following three main reasons: the stunning beaches, temperate climate, and the enviable healthier, relaxed lifestyle. 

Frankly, there is a helluva lot more to these beautiful spots than long white beaches. Their diverse outdoor riches include The Sunshine Coast’s Glass House Mountains and close proximity to Fraser Island, and the vast hinterlands in Gold Coast’s Springbrook National Park, which is an oasis for bushwalkers.

The most obvious difference is the size of the populations of each area. The current metro area population of Gold Coast-Tweed Head in 2022 is 722,000, whereas the population on the Sunshine Coast is about half that, which goes some way to explaining the very different vibes of the two areas.

And though it is hard to ignore the draw and beauty of the beaches in these areas to international tourists - and fortunately, there are plenty of them to go around, from Burleigh, Rainbow and Nobby’s Beach on Gold Coast to Coolum, King’s and Main Beach on the Sunshine Coast, as well as the pretty set of canal systems that run through Noosa which are overlooked by some of the most exclusive properties in the area - there are many other differences.

Gold Coast vs The Sunshine Coast. We've listed some of the differences below:

1. The topography of the two areas. Whilst kilometres of high-rise buildings and hotels line the Gold Coast – giving it a busier, more commercial vibe that draws in schoolies each year for the nightlife of Surfers Paradise – the Sunshine Coast has retained an old-world charm.
2. The community feel of the smaller towns like Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, with their emptier beaches and locals’ cafes, provide a sanctuary for those who prefer a quieter life. Even Noosa, with its eclectic range of boutique shops and restaurants that are targeted at its annual tourists, has maintained an air of exclusivity through its resistance to high-rise commercialism.
3. The benefits of the Gold Coast in terms of its proximity to Brisbane make it a more practical choice for people who must commute to the city for work or who are seeking more culture or nightlife.
4. The infrastructure on Gold Coast is far superior to its neighbour in terms of transport and community services, although improvements on the Sunshine Coast are one of the state's priorities.  
5. But the pace of life is arguably the most obvious difference. Gold Coast moves at a more frenetic pace than the sleepier towns on the Sunshine Coast. Although the outer suburbs are more family-oriented, the faster pace in the centre is a better fit for night owls.

Some might assume that the beach-cottage charm of the Sunshine Coast is a better investment for buyers, but surprisingly, the cost to invest in either area is not vastly different after the unprecedented growth experienced by the area – around 33% in many suburbs - during COVID, caused by the exodus of many property owners from Melbourne and Sydney to Queensland.

Gold Coast vs The Sunshine Coast...the median house price on both coasts has now tipped the $ 1 million mark

Recently, the median house price on both coasts tipped the $ 1 million mark and prices continue to hold on the Gold Coast, although the Sunshine Coast has seen a recent dip. The median price for units on Sunshine Coast is a staggering $672,000, although there is some evidence that those prices are also slowly dropping.

If like me, you prefer to be in bed by 9pm – even on holiday – the Sunshine Coast may be a better fit. Australians tend to retire early because they like to rise with the sun and make the most of their day. And like the lifestyle on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the Sunshine Coast is a piece of paradise for those who enjoy a simpler way of life. For many, a quick dip in the ocean or a run along the beach ahead of a large brekkie in their local cafe is the perfect way to start the day. Though Hastings Street in Noosa has some lively bars to accommodate the tourists and local night owls, they must head south to Gold Coast or neighbouring Mooloolaba or Maroochydore for any chance of a big night.

Early to bed and early to rise sums up life on the Sunshine Coast

What these areas share is the perfect environment for raising kids. Education standards are on a par with the rest of Australia, with both private and public options, and there’s plenty to keep them busy. The Gold Coast is almost as renowned for its theme parks as it is its beaches, large green spaces and the sports opportunities that come with the beach lifestyle. And though the Sunshine Coast can’t quite match the glitz and glamour of its neighbour, it has the delightful Australia Zoo and Underwater World to explore, away from the bustle, noise and party lifestyle of the Gold Coast.

We are in a buyer's market and there is no better time to invest. The fact is, Queensland can’t build property fast enough to cope with the staggering demand from buyers right now, but there is an EASIER and FASTER way to find your new home than trawling aimlessly through property listings. Sign up with Listing Loop today for FREE access to our latest OFF-MARKET properties so you stay one step ahead of the competition.