Surprising new million dollar property hot spots on the Sunshine Coast

Suburbs such as Doonan and Shelly Beach that once had more affordable property have become the Sunshine Coast’s millionaire playgrounds. See where prices increased the most in 2022.

Chelsea Heaney

2 min read

December 30, 2022 - 2:26PM

This home on a more than 8000sqm block at Mudjimba sold for $2.35m in 2022. Picture: Realestate.com

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Hardworking suburbs once filled with more affordable homes have become the Sunshine Coast‘s new millionaire playgrounds.

New median property data shows huge increases in home values in previously more economical areas, with prices rocketing up in Doonan and Mudjimba among others.

On top of the list was Cootharaba, with a jump of 72.9 per cent in the median price of property over the past 12 months.

Located north of Noosa, this rural area only has around 866 residents.

Noosa Hinterland Real Estate agent Sandra Roulston attributed the rise of prices to southern buyers looking for an escape.

“They’re looking for a tree change from that city living,” she said.

“In the Cootharaba area the properties are quite tightly owned, plus you're only about 20 to 25 minutes to Noosa. So it’s that country living with that accessibility the restaurants, bars and the beautiful beaches of Noosa.”

This stunning home at Panoramic Dr, Doonan, sold in 2022 for $4.35m.

Ms Roulston said a lot of buyers were looking for a rural property where they could become self-sufficient and live a bit more off-the-grid.

“So you’re looking at small to large acreage,” she said.

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Mudjimba-based real estate agent Colin Cameron said he first noticed the spike in demand after the Covid-19 lockdowns ended.

“The first listed property I did was in June 2020 and it sold within two hours of being listed on realestate.com, which was quite a shock,” he said.

“The thing that was a real shock to me was that it was sold unseen.”

Mr Cameron said that despite a number of changes in the Mudjimba area, including changes to the airport which increased the amount of air traffic noise in the area, sales continued to climb.

“As agents we thought we’d see market fall, but instead we saw an increase in market value,” he said.

A substantial beach home on a 974sq m block at Shelly Beach sold for $4.5m in 2022.

“We had a lot of locals that were selling due to the aircraft noise and also they were seeing opportunity in the market.”

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Mr Cameron said the noise, which had turned locals off, was not as troublesome for interstate buyers.

“The interesting thing that we noticed, with southern buyers, spending $1.5 million on a house that is less than 200 metres to the beach is affordable,” he said.

“They saw the aircraft noise as a minor detail due to the incredible spot.”

Doonan real estate agent Sirah Robb said there was a strong desire for properties with space and sustainability, as many people continued to work from home.

This Worba Lane home at Tinbeerwah on 8.3ha sold for $3.2m in March, 2022. Picture: Realestate.com

“Being in the closest acreage position to Noosa, Doonan has remained at the top of many buyer’s wish lists this year and looks set to remain highly desirable into the future,” she said.

Other areas that saw a significant jump in property prices, taking the median value over the million dollar mark were Rosemount, Glenview and Kureelpa.