Between Sunshine Beach and Castaways
Sunrise Beach sits on Noosa's eastern coastline between Sunshine Beach and Castaways Beach. The suburb includes beachside, elevated and inland residential streets, together with local shopping, schools and community facilities.
David Low Way provides the main road connection through the area. Traffic, road noise, beach access, walkability and elevation vary depending on the property's position.
Suburb Function and LifestyleResidential neighbourhoods and coastal access
Sunrise Beach functions primarily as a residential suburb, with local shopping, schools, community facilities, public transport and beach access available across different parts of the area.
Walkability varies. Some properties are close to the beach, shops or schools, while others rely more heavily on a vehicle. Road position, slope and the location of pedestrian access points should be checked for the individual property.
Beach access points
Local shopping and services
Schools and community facilities
Public transport
Residential streets with varied terrain
Designated areas where dogs may be permitted off leash, subject to current Council rules
Sunrise Beach at a glance
A coastal residential suburb with established neighbourhoods, local services and access to an open beach.
Connections to surrounding areas
David Low Way provides road access to surrounding coastal suburbs, Noosa Heads and other regional destinations. Local bus routes, stop locations and service frequency should be checked for the individual property.
Access to shops, schools and the beach varies across Sunrise Beach, with some streets more walkable than others.
All drive times and distances are approximate. Actual travel times may vary depending on traffic, route and conditions.
Open beach, coastal paths and nearby schooling
Sunrise Beach is an open beach where conditions vary with weather, tides, wind and swell. Patrol arrangements, access conditions and current safety information should be checked before visiting.
Schools and community facilities are available within Sunrise Beach and surrounding areas. School catchments, enrolment requirements and transport arrangements should be confirmed when relevant.
Beach access points
Coastal walking routes where available
Current beach patrol information
Designated dog access areas subject to Council rules
Schools and community facilities
Established homes, renovations and varied terrain
Housing includes established detached homes, renovated properties, newer residences, townhouses and other attached housing in selected areas. Age, construction, condition and renovation quality vary considerably between properties.
Some streets are relatively level, while others include elevated or sloping land. Outlook, access, drainage, retaining structures and building condition should be assessed for the individual property.
Land characteristics
Land size, usable area, slope, drainage, access, easements and existing improvements vary across the suburb. Buyers considering a pool, extension, rebuilding or other future work should confirm the available space, planning controls and existing approvals.
Dwelling age, construction and condition
Land size and usable area
Slope and retaining structures
Drainage and stormwater
Road position and traffic
Beach access and coastal exposure
Title and survey plan
Body corporate records where applicable
Existing development and building approvals
Worth knowing: elevation, slope, drainage, road position, beach access and building condition can differ considerably between nearby properties.
Comparable sales require the right context
Sales in Sunrise Beach include established homes, renovated properties, newer residences, townhouses and other attached housing across beachside, elevated and inland settings. Land, outlook, building condition, traffic, slope, beach access, title and planning controls can all affect how properties compare.
Broad suburb figures only tell part of the story. Comparable sales are most useful when the properties share similar characteristics and surroundings.
Planning and Development ControlsPlanning controls vary across the suburb
Planning is managed by Noosa Shire Council under the Noosa Plan 2020. The controls applying to a property depend on its zoning, location, existing use, mapping and proposed work.
Coastal hazard, bushfire, vegetation, drainage and other overlays may apply in parts of Sunrise Beach. Current Council mapping and property records should be checked before relying on a proposed use or future change.
Property zoning
Existing lawful use
Building height and site coverage
Coastal hazard mapping
Flood and drainage mapping
Bushfire mapping
Vegetation and biodiversity requirements
Easements and infrastructure
Existing development and building approvals
Body corporate approval where applicable
Short term accommodation requirements
Planning requirements can differ between nearby properties. Check current Council mapping, title information, property searches and approval records before relying on a proposed use or future property change.
Coastal exposure, drainage and property condition
Salt, wind and weather exposure may affect properties near the coast or in elevated locations. Drainage, overland flow, bushfire mapping, vegetation and terrain may also be relevant in parts of Sunrise Beach.
Salt and wind exposure
Coastal hazard mapping
Flood and drainage mapping
Stormwater and overland flow
Slope and retaining structures
Bushfire mapping where applicable
Vegetation and biodiversity requirements
Building and external condition
Insurance availability, terms and cost
Review current mapping, available property information, site conditions, building condition and insurance requirements for the individual property.
Who Sunrise Beach may not suit
Sunrise Beach may not suit buyers seeking sheltered swimming conditions, a defined village centre, consistently level land or equal walkability from every property. Beach exposure, traffic, slope and access to shops and services vary across the suburb.
Local HistoryA name shaped by a new coastal era
Sunrise Beach takes its name from the "Sunrise Estate," proposed by Peter Sharpe, then local manager of developer T.M. Burke and later a Noosa Shire Councillor. He chose the name to mark a new chapter for the company, about 40 years after the neighbouring Sunshine Beach estate opened. The name was subsequently adopted for the suburb.
Serious development began in the 1970s once T.M. Burke finished the coastal road now called David Low Way. Many street names follow a nautical theme, referencing Australian coastal shipping and America's Cup yachts, in line with Sharpe's interests. A beachfront caravan park that once drew surfers and backpackers has since been redeveloped as a gated community.