Living on the Sunshine Coast
If you already live on the Sunshine Coast, you know what the others are missing—a world-class lifestyle destination, complete with a world-class university experience to match.
Why sacrifice that lifestyle to study? USC’s Sippy Downs campus gives you the best of both worlds.
It is centrally located to all the Coast has to offer, from the white-sand beaches, to the eclectic range of cafés, restaurants and entertainment venues, to the people themselves—warm, open and welcoming.
There’s very good reason more than 2.5 million people visited the Coast in 2010 *—from the serenity of the hinterland’s old-growth rainforests to the glitz of the tourist strips at Noosa and Mooloolaba, the opportunities are diverse.
The Sunshine Coast is not only a great place to live and study, but it is also a great environment for thinking.
But the Sunshine Coast is not all sun and surf. The region is now home to around 330,000 people and as the population base expands, business and employment opportunities follow.
As the Coast’s industries diversify, so do the career choices—USC graduates are increasingly able to study and forge their career in one of the country’s most popular lifestyle destinations.
* Tourism Queensland: Queensland Data Sheet, 2010.
Sunshine Coast facts
Population: more than 330,000
Location: 90 kilometres north of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane
Features: warm weather all year round, relaxed lifestyle, natural beauty
Temperatures: 17–28°C in summer (December–February), 7–22°C in Winter (June–August)
For further information
Getting here
The University of the Sunshine Coast is located at Sippy Downs on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The transport services to and from USC campus give you access to all the Sunshine Coast has to offer:
- 15 minute drive to the beautiful beaches at Mooloolaba
- 90 kilometres north of Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane
- 30 minute drive to Sunshine Coast Domestic Airport
- 1 hour drive from Brisbane International Airport
Refer to the campus maps and directions for directions on how to get to USC's Sippy Downs, Gympie, South Bank and Noosa locations and the Fraser Island Research and Learning Centre.
Transport
USC's modern bus interchange connects with trains to Brisbane and services the whole of the Sunshine Coast.
Both buses and trains can assist you in exploring the Sunshine Coast region:
USC supports initiatives to promote the use of sustainable transport to help you get to and from campus, including:
USC’s free, express shuttle service between Noosa Junction, Gympie, Northlakes and USC campus- Translink U-Pass sponsored go card
- Car pooling
- Pedestrian and cycling pathways and facilities
Recreation
Whether you enjoy live music, playing team sports, or relaxing at the beach during your down time, the Sunshine Coast offers a variety of options to keep you entertained.
You can find a great guide on attractions, events and things to do at the Visit Sunshine Coast website.
Events
The Sunshine Coast calendar of events attracts visitors from around Australia and the world. Experience the best the Sunshine Coast has to offer in sporting, music, art and food at some of these events:
- Woodford Folk Festival (27 December–1 January)
- Ironwoman and Ironman series (December–February)
- Noosa Festival of Surfing (March)
- Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival (March)
- Dingo Creek Jazz & Blues Festival (April)
- Great Noosa Camp Out (Easter)
- Australian Body Art Carnivale Eumundi (May)
- Noosa Food and Wine Festival (May)
- Indigenous Dreaming Festival (June)
- International Rally of Queensland (July)
- Gympie Country Music Muster (August)
- Noosa Jazz Festival (September)
- Coolum Kite Festival (September)
- Caloundra Music Festival (October)
- Noosa Triathlon (October)
The Sunshine Coast also has a great range of local community events. For more details on upcoming local events visit the MySunshineCoast website.
Attractions
The Sunshine Coast region has a variety of attractions to explore the local natural beauty, unique wildlife and food and culture:
- World Heritage-listed Fraser Island
- UnderWater World
- Australia Zoo
- The coloured sands at Cooloola National Park
- Rainforest and waterfalls at Kondalilla National Park
- Hiking and rock climbing at Glasshouse Mountains
- Noosa Everglades
- Ettamogah Pub
- Big Pineapple
- The Ginger Factory
Sport
The Sunshine Coast offers the perfect climate for sports and activities to keep you active and enjoying the outdoors. You can choose from team sports, swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, cycling and windsurfing to name a few.
There are kilometres of cycling and walking paths along the coast. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is 58 kilometres of trails through the scenic hinterland.
The Sunshine Coast offers all types of water activities including jet-skis, parasailing, yachting, fishing charters, diving, you can learn to surf, take a cruise through the Maroochy Wetlands or Noosa Everglades or just relax on the many beautiful beaches.
USC’s sports precinct provides first-class sporting facilities including a three court indoor sports stadium, gym, outdoor courts and playing fields, athletic track and Olympic-sized swimming pool.
The Stockland Park Precinct in Kawana offers sporting fields including national standard playing facilities and grandstand, a premium Aquatic Centre and a venue for rowing, kayaking and canoeing.
Food and shopping
Located just over one kilometre away from USC, Chancellor Park Marketplace has a supermarket, newsagency, bank, post office, medical centre, pharmacy, travel agent, bakery, retail and food outlets and a tavern.
Explore the dining options of Noosa's Hastings Street, Maroochydore’s Duporth Avenue and Mooloolaba’s Esplanade which offer a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes. Surf Clubs at Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba beaches provide beach-front views and bistro dining.
If you are looking from the Eumundi markets and Farmers’ markets to retail boutique and chain outlets at Maroochydore’s Sunshine Plaza, Noosa’s Hastings Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade.
Art and culture
If you are seeking to enrich yourself, your cultural journey could include one of the many art galleries, exhibitions, festivals and shows found around the Sunshine Coast, including:
- USC Art Gallery
- Australian Body Art Carnivale
- Kenilworth Celebrates
- Caloundra Music Festival
- Hinterland Gallery Trail
- Sunshine Coast Museum Trail
Accommodation
You can choose to live next to campus, near the beach or in other parts of the region.
Three privately–owned, fully–furnished student accommodation complexes are conveniently located next to the University. UniCentral, Varsity Apartments and The Village are a short walk to campus via connected pathways and are close to public transport and the local shopping centre. For more details visit:
The Student Guild manages an off-campus accommodation register. For assistance with tenancy or share accommodation issues contact Student Life and Learning.
You can also search rental listings managed by local real estate agents in surrounding suburbs.
Living costs
Regional areas of Australia generally have a lower cost of living than cities.
A student at USC would normally require approximately A$360 per week to live comfortably on the Sunshine Coast. ^
This covers typical accommodation costs, food, transport and other daily life expenses.
^ This information is sourced from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.