COOLUM IS COOL

Historically we are Peregian Beach holidayers but although we still have many wonderful memories of holidays spent there, we now agree that Coolum is Cool.

At Peregian Beach, prime holiday properties cluster on the ocean side of David Low Way, the coastal highway which hugs the coastline from Bli Bli on the Maroochy River to Noosa in the North. Everyone wants to stay and live on the ocean side. A small unremarkable three bedroom house with no view but an easy walk to the beach was listed for sale at $900,000 AUD.

At Coolum Beach there are no houses on the ocean side of David Low Way so everybody is in the same boat so to speak. However human nature likes to discriminate, so prized properties there are referred to in order of preference as North Facing Ocean Views, Flat Walk to the Beach, Flat Bicycle to the Beach.

Coolum is brash, confident and all embracing. Mobility scooters share the footpaths with skateboarders and dogs are an important part of the demographic. Poodles and white fluffy dogs accompany owners to cafes where doggie water bowls are provided. Fortunately, Australians being the law abiding lot that we are, there are no unpleasant bundles left for the unwary to step in. One Real Estate agent told me he even has a meet the pet policy for anyone renting pet friendly accommodation. Evidently people will pay considerably more for a pet friendly place.

Prime beach side land at Coolum is taken up by

a huge caravan park with old shady paper bark trees, ($245/week for a powered site),
a large shaded skate park,
the Coolum Surf Club, and
multi-purpose Tickle Park with a kid’s playground, grassed area and toilets. On the Saturday night before Halloween there was a free screening of Ghostbusters in the park. Families came dressed in scary costumes and everyone on foot and bicycles had a picnic rug on board.

Maybe it is the holiday atmosphere that promotes the friendly feel at Coolum, but after only three weeks, we too found ourselves being greeted in the street.

Swimming between the flags at patrolled beaches can be a life-saver.

A life-saver sprung into action one day at Coolum North to save two Korean girls on body boards who had drifted out to sea. Frantic calls by their friends to come back went unheard, the girls blissfully unaware of their own predicament until it was too late. No doubt they are recounting their dramatic holiday rescue as we speak!

Eating and Drinking Coolum Style . The Surf Life Saving Club has uninterrupted ocean views from the open air deck as well as the indoor bars and restaurant. Thursday is $12 chicken schnitzel, chips and coleslaw and a glass of N.Z. sav. blanc costs $6 any day.