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Sunshine Coast cost of living: Suburb-by-suburb guide to help ease hip pocket pressure

We’ve compiled a list of places on the Sunshine Coast to try and nab a bargain or have some free fun to help you combat rising cost of living prices. Check out the list here.

Sunshine Coast residents give their top tips on saving money

As average families have to find an extra $1400 a year for groceries we’ve come up with our own guide to try and help save your hip pocket in some of the region’s major suburbs.

An investigation by Daily Telegraph reporter John Rolfe shows supermarket prices have surged by at least 12 per cent since last year.

It means the average family needs to find an extra $1400 a year at the supermarket while fuel prices also continue to soar.

The hike has been attributed to the war in Ukraine putting pressure on wheat and energy prices, flooding across Australia’s food belt and China factory shutdowns due to the country’s zero-tolerance Covid-19 policy.

The Warana Fruit Shed manager Debbie Mountford said she had a woman cheer and high-five her because she paid less than $10 for a lettuce.

“You’ve got to shop smarter, follow the cheaper products, you’ve got to buy smart,” she said.

The manager, who has been at the helm of the shop for 15 years, also said the produce shortages seemed to have affected the green, leafy vegetables the most.

Fruit and vegetable shop manager Debbie Mountford encourages customers to “buy smart”. Picture: Zoe Phillips
Fruit and vegetable shop manager Debbie Mountford encourages customers to “buy smart”. Picture: Zoe Phillips

The manager said cauliflowers and sweet potato were cheap at the moment.

In Noosa Heads, Pardons Fruit Market owner Lloyd Pardon said he had been in the fruit and veg game for 36 years and had never seen the market in this state.

He said he was cutting his margins to remain competitive.

He also said he had diversified over the years and had made his shop a one-stop shop for people.

“I’m interested in buying and supporting a lot of niche businesses, we’re looking for gourmet stuff,” Mr Pardon said.

He said bananas, pineapples and mandarins and other citrus were cheap buys at the moment.

He also said lettuce was the talk of the town.

In terms of fuel prices, on Friday afternoon, June 10, 2022, the average price for unleaded fuel on the Sunshine Coast was 196.6 and for diesel it was 205.8.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has compiled a suburb-by-suburb breakdown of fruit and vegetable shopping options, fuel options, things to do and meal options for those of us starting to tighten our belts.

Check out the shopping options below.

Bli Bli

PRODUCE

Erbacher’s (Diddillibah)

Google rating: 4.7 (722 reviews)

Customers rave about the juicy fruit and veg and the cheap produce.

THINGS TO DO

Muller Park

On the shore of the Maroochy River, the park has a playground, barbecues, a skate park, a lot of space and good parking.

Buderim

PRODUCE

Fenwick’s Fruit Emporium

Google rating: 4.5 (46 reviews)

Customers rave about the quality and the good price.

THINGS TO DO

Buderim Forest Park

Buderim Forest Park is a favourite with tourists and locals. The much-photographed waterfall walk is popular, but check the Sunshine Coast Council website for any walk closures following the rain bomb earlier in 2022.

Caloundra

PRODUCE

Caloundra Fruit Market

Google rating: 4.6 (45 reviews)

Customers say the store has fresh produce and good prices.

Fruit and vegetable prices are going up and local store owners are encouraging their customers to buy what is in season. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes
Fruit and vegetable prices are going up and local store owners are encouraging their customers to buy what is in season. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Daniel Street Fruit and Vegetable Warehouse

Google rating: 4.3 (73 reviews)

Customers say there’s a good selection of fruit and veg.

THINGS TO DO

There are a number of patrolled beaches in the Caloundra area including Dicky Beach, Moffats, Golden Beach. Take your pick but swim between the flags.

FUEL

According to the Motormouth website, the Caloundra area had some of the best fuel prices on the Sunshine Coast on June 15, 2022.

Coolum Beach

PRODUCE

Matt’s Coolum Farm Fresh

Google rating: 4.5 (48 reviews)

A hidden gem many locals know about, there is cheap fruit and veg in abundance.

EATING OUT

Frank Beach Bar and Restaurant, Coolum Beach.

Local night: Wednesday night with cheaper pizza and cocktails on offer.

Formerly much-loved restaurant Castros, the space has reformed into a pizza restaurant.

FUEL

Fuel in Coolum Beach was among the cheapest on the Sunshine Coast on the morning of June 15, according to the Motormouth website.

Eumundi

Fruit and vegetables and things to do, Wednesdays and Saturdays

The famed Eumundi Markets has produce, arts and crafts, health, house and garden products and much more for sale.

The markets also offer live music and entertainment.

The Eumundi Markets has a variety of stalls. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland
The Eumundi Markets has a variety of stalls. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

Kawana

PRODUCE

Kawana Waters Farmers Markets, on Saturdays

Customers say they do their weekly shopping at the markets to support local farmers.

Maleny

PRODUCE

The Crystal Waters Country Market, held on the first Saturday of each month (except January), offers fresh fruit and vegetables for sale along with breakfast and lunch options, second-hand clothing and more.

THINGS TO DO

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is more than 22ha of subtropical rainforest overlooking the Glass House Mountains. Hikers can take advantage of several walking tracks of varying difficulty.

Marcoola

Produce and eating out

Marcoola Market

The twilight market every Friday evening offers dinner options and the Saturday farmers market offers fresh produce options, a butcher and more.

Market manager Michael Bryan said some Friday night meals were as low as $10, with the average price between $13 and $15.

The Marcoola Market is on Friday nights. Picture: Erle Levey
The Marcoola Market is on Friday nights. Picture: Erle Levey

“I know the stallholders are saying things are going up for them,” he said.

“One said the cheese they buy had gone up substantially but none of the stallholders have put their prices up.”

Maroochydore

PRODUCE

Fresh Fruits

Google rating: 4.3 (69 reviews)

Customers say there is a good selection of fruit and vegetables with plenty of parking.

THINGS TO DO

Beaches

Beach options on this part of the coast including Alexandra Headland beach and Cotton Tree, which is especially good for littlies.

There are expansive playgrounds at Cotton Tree and some are under shade.

Sunshine Plaza

Visitors can have an expensive or cheap day out, depending on how much you are willing to spend. Retail stores for those on a budget include Big W and Kmart.

El Camino offers $2 taco Tuesdays.

Piper Hertslet, Naomi Holzberger, Adrienne Haldin, Zali Smith and Stefanie Cooper at El Camino Cantina at the Sunshine Plaza.
Piper Hertslet, Naomi Holzberger, Adrienne Haldin, Zali Smith and Stefanie Cooper at El Camino Cantina at the Sunshine Plaza.

Mooloolaba

PRODUCE

Fruity Life

Google rating: 4.7 (31 reviews)

Customers say there is fresh produce here and easy parking.

EATING OUT

Taps Mooloolaba

Need to offload some change? Taps offer 50c wings on Wings Wednesday.

Mountain Creek and Warana

PRODUCE

The Fruit Market

Google rating: 4.5 (73 reviews)

Customers say produce is well-priced and the service is good.

EATING OUT

Your Mates Brewing

Offering weekly specials including a “parmy party” on Thursday nights – $20 for a parmy and a pot of beer.

Your Mates Brewing offers a ‘parmy party’ on Thursdays.
Your Mates Brewing offers a ‘parmy party’ on Thursdays.

FUEL

Warana was also offering some of the cheapest fuel on the Sunshine Coast, on June 15, according to MotorMouth.

Mount Coolum

COFFEE

Daily Dose

The Mount Coolum cafe offers a free coffee when you purchase its coffee beans.

THINGS TO DO

The Mt Coolum hike has become increasingly popular. The State Government Department of Environment has labelled it a Grade Four track, which means it is only suitable for fit walkers.

Nambour

PRODUCE

Fruity Life

Google rating: 4.8 (37 reviews)

Customers say the store offers fresh produce and great customer service.

THINGS TO DO

Dulong Lookout

Pack a picnic and head to the Dulong Lookout for expansive views of the coastline.

Noosa

PRODUCE

Fruits of Noosa (Doonan)

Google rating: 4.5 (44 reviews)

Customers give the opening hours a big tick and say products are well-priced.

THINGS TO DO

Noosa Botanic Gardens

On the shores of Lake Macdonald, the calling card for this botanic gardens is the Greek-style amphitheatre but there is also a playground and a bush chapel.

Noosaville

PRODUCE

Noosa Farmers Market, every Sunday

There is produce, condiments, skincare, nuts and more available at this weekly markets.

Peregian

THINGS TO DO

Peregian Markets

The Peregian Markets are on the first and third Sunday of every month. Stalls include produce, craft, homewares, second-hand clothes and more.

Sunshine Beach

EATING OUT

Sunshine Beach Surf Club

Sunshine Beach Surf Club has some of the best views on the Sunshine Coast and it offers specials including on Mondays – $22.50 for a 250g rump steak with chips, salad and mushroom sauce.

THINGS TO DO

Beach

A popular and expansive beach. Explore Duke Street and then step out onto the sand, for free.

Tewantin

PRODUCE

Tewantin Market Garden

Google rating: 4.8 (55 reviews)

Customers say there is quality fruit and veg and friendly service.

Yandina

PRODUCE

Yandina Country Markets, every Saturday

The Yandina markets have a number of produce stalls along with plants, second-hand goods and much more.

THINGS TO DO

The Ginger Factory

At first glance, The Ginger Factory may feel like a tourist trap but there are ways of visiting on the cheap. Pack your own lunch and buy the season passes for the train and boat rides, if you are a regular. Free activities include the Gruffalo walk and the new rainbow umbrella art installation and it is free entry.

What are your tips for budgeting? Have another super special to tell us about? Email scdaily@news.com.au.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/business/sunshine-coast-cost-of-living-suburbbysuburb-guide-to-help-ease-hip-pocket-pressure/news-story/91f97a05e2408fe5799c66c79ec650e6