Council & Planning Authority
Council: Noosa Shire Council (north) / Sunshine Coast Council (south)
Planning scheme: Noosa Plan 2020 and Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014

Planning controls depend on which council area the property falls within. Confirm the applicable council and planning scheme before making assumptions about development or future improvements.

Council Boundary: Read This First

Doonan falls within two council areas

Properties in Doonan can fall within either Noosa Shire Council or Sunshine Coast Council. The applicable council determines which planning scheme, zoning, overlays and development controls apply, so confirm the council area before relying on planning, development or rates information.

Some Doonan properties fall within Noosa Shire Council

Others fall within Sunshine Coast Council

Planning controls and council rates depend on the property location

Confirm the council area before assessing development options

Do not assume a Doonan property falls within Noosa Shire. Confirm the council area for the property before relying on planning, development or rates information.

Location

Hinterland acreage, between Noosa and Eumundi

Doonan sits west of Noosaville and north of Eumundi, with road connections to Noosa, Eumundi and the surrounding hinterland. Larger rural residential properties, varied terrain and vegetation shape much of the suburb.

Some properties occupy lower lying land, while others sit on more elevated sites. Slope, drainage, vegetation and outlook can therefore vary considerably between properties.

Suburb Function and Lifestyle

Larger properties, with everyday services reached by road

Doonan is primarily made up of larger rural residential properties rather than a conventional suburban street pattern. Cafes, shops and The Doonan provide a small cluster of local places along Eumundi-Noosa Road.

A wider range of shops and services is available in Noosaville, Tewantin and Eumundi. Most trips require a vehicle, while the larger properties provide more space and separation than a conventional suburban setting.

Larger properties within driving distance of Noosaville

Privacy and separation between properties

Sheds, studios and spaces for working from home on some properties

Local cafés, shops and pub along Eumundi-Noosa Road

Road access to Noosa, Eumundi and the surrounding hinterland

Orientation

A vehicle is useful day to day, with private driveways worth checking

A vehicle is important for most day-to-day travel, with public transport options limited. Some properties also have longer private driveways, making driveway condition, gradient and access worth checking when comparing properties.

Noosa Hospital15 min (8 km)
Hastings Street20 min (14 km)
Sunshine Coast Airport30 min (29 km)
Eumundi15 min (10 km)

All drive times and distances are approximate. Actual travel times may vary depending on traffic, route and conditions.

At a Glance

Doonan at a glance

An acreage locality between Noosaville and Eumundi, with varied terrain and properties across two council areas.

Setting
A hinterland locality with road access to Noosaville, Eumundi and the coast.
Area / Scale
Approximately 31.5 km², with properties falling within either Noosa Shire or Sunshine Coast Council.
Development pattern
Detached homes on rural residential properties, with land, access and improvements varying between properties.
Getting around
A vehicle is useful for most day-to-day travel, with public transport options limited.
Community
A dispersed residential setting with a small cluster of local businesses along Eumundi-Noosa Road.
Education and Recreation

Open space, trails and nearby towns

The surrounding hinterland and nearby Noosa Trail Network provide outdoor recreation opportunities. Eumundi, the Noosa River and beaches are reached by road.

Proximity to the Noosa Trail Network

Road access to Eumundi markets and the surrounding hinterland

Noosa River and beaches reached by road

Access to schooling within the broader Noosa region

Housing Character

Detached homes on larger properties, with varied improvements

Housing includes established and renovated homes, newer builds and custom homes on larger properties. Some properties also include sheds, studios, pools and established gardens.

The age, condition and extent of improvements can vary considerably, making it important to assess the home and any additional structures individually.

Land characteristics

Total land area does not show how practical a property may be. Usable land, slope, drainage, vegetation, access and existing improvements can all influence how the property functions and what it may cost to maintain or improve.

The property title should also be checked for easements, shared access arrangements and other obligations that may affect access, use or maintenance.

Single-storey homes on larger properties

Contemporary renovations and new builds

Sheds, studios and spaces for a home office on some properties

Pools and established gardens on some properties

Worth knowing: two properties with similar land areas can function very differently once usable land, slope, drainage, access and existing improvements are considered.

Market Dynamics

A varied acreage market, where comparable sales matter

Doonan properties can differ considerably in land, slope, drainage, access, housing, improvements and location. Median prices for the suburb as a whole therefore provide limited context, and comparable sales are most useful when the properties share similar characteristics.

Properties with usable land and good access

Drainage, slope and elevation

Condition and extent of improvements

Location and travel time to Noosaville

Planning and Development Controls

Planning controls depend on the council area and property

Planning controls depend on whether the property falls within Noosa Shire Council or Sunshine Coast Council. Check the applicable planning scheme, zoning, overlays and development controls before making assumptions about subdivision, additional buildings or future improvements.

Council area and applicable planning scheme

Zoning and the uses permitted on the property

Vegetation and environmental overlays where relevant

Flood and bushfire overlay mapping

Height and site coverage controls where relevant

Subdivision and additional building requirements

Environmental and Site Considerations

Conditions can vary considerably between properties

Physical conditions vary across Doonan. Depending on the property, practical checks may include slope, drainage, stormwater, vegetation, driveway access, usable land and soil or foundation conditions.

Flood and bushfire mapping where relevant

Vegetation controls affecting the property

Driveway access, condition and gradient

Drainage and stormwater conditions

Slope, site levels and usable land

Soil and foundation conditions where relevant

Flood, bushfire and vegetation controls may influence development requirements, access, insurance and how the property can be used. Check the mapping and physical characteristics of the individual property before proceeding.

The trade-offs to understand

Who Doonan may not suit

Doonan may not suit buyers looking for shops and services within walking distance, regular public transport, direct beach access or a smaller property requiring less upkeep. Its larger properties and hinterland setting come with greater reliance on driving and more land to assess and maintain.

Local History

From rural settlement to acreage living

The origin of the name Doonan is uncertain. Sunshine Coast Council records that the name was given by the Officer in Charge of Police at Nambour and is thought to mean "leaf of a tree". The area was settled by Europeans from the late nineteenth century, with farming and timber forming part of its early rural history.

Over time, Doonan developed from its early rural settlement into the predominantly rural-residential acreage community seen today. The resulting pattern of larger properties and separation between homes remains visible across much of the suburb.