Meet Coen: Growing gardens and community at Sundale
For Sundale's Maintenance and Grounds Manager Coen, Sunshine Coast gardening...
There’s something wonderfully unhurried about Coolum in the early morning.
Surfers paddle beyond the breakers, dog walkers make their way along the beachfront boardwalk and cafés along the esplanade begin opening for the day. With the ocean nearby and familiar faces greeting one another, Coolum has retained the relaxed character of a genuine coastal community.
For those exploring retirement living on the Sunshine Coast, it’s easy to imagine making a home here. Beautiful beaches, everyday conveniences and a welcoming local atmosphere offer plenty of ways to enjoy life at your own pace.
Discovering the coastal charm of Coolum
While the beach is undoubtedly one of Coolum’s greatest attractions, there’s much more to this coastal town.
Local cafés, shops and essential services make everyday life convenient, while the surrounding natural environment offers plenty of opportunities to stay active and connected.
The Coolum Beach boardwalk is a favourite for morning walks, with ocean views and fresh sea air. Nearby, Tickle Park offers shady picnic spots and a beachfront playground, making it a lovely place to spend time with visiting family and grandchildren.
For those who enjoy nature, Mount Coolum National Park provides bushland surroundings and a challenging climb rewarded by sweeping coastal views.
Point Perry lookout is another local favourite, particularly during whale migration season, when visitors gather to watch humpback whales travelling along the coastline.
Whether it’s meeting friends for coffee, enjoying a morning swim or sharing fish and chips overlooking the ocean, Coolum offers the simple pleasures that make everyday life enjoyable.
Retirement living at Sundale Coolum Waters
A little further from the beachfront, the relaxed coastal lifestyle continues at Sundale Coolum Waters Village.
Set among established gardens and generous green spaces, the community brings together 123 independent living villas, In-Home Care support and the 50-bed Sundale Coolum Waters Care Centre.
For people considering a retirement village in Coolum Waters, the setting offers opportunities to enjoy independent living, connect with neighbours and remain part of the wider Sunshine Coast community.
Maintenance and Grounds Manager Coen knows the village well.
“It’s pretty much a small town,” he says. “We’ve got a lot of space, and people really take pride in where they live.”
Mature trees provide shade along walking paths, while landscaped gardens and open spaces create an inviting environment for morning strolls, gardening and time outdoors.
It’s a neighbourhood where people can enjoy their own space while knowing familiar faces are never far away.
A community shaped by everyday moments
No two days at Sundale Coolum Waters Village look quite the same.
Some residents enjoy a swim in the heated pool, while others meet friends for coffee, play pickleball or spend a quiet morning at home.
There’s plenty of opportunity to get involved, but there’s just as much freedom to enjoy a slower pace.
Often, it’s the moments between activities that say the most about village life: a conversation while collecting the mail, a neighbour stopping to admire a flowering garden or friends lingering over coffee after a swim.
For many residents, these everyday experiences create opportunities to form friendships, share interests and enjoy time together.
It’s these simple connections that help give Sundale Coolum Waters Village its warm, welcoming character.
Staying connected as needs change
Alongside independent retirement living, the wider Sundale Coolum Waters community includes In-Home Care support and residential aged care at Sundale Coolum Waters Care Centre.
For residents and families, having these services nearby can provide reassurance when considering future care needs.
It’s part of Sundale’s approach to supporting people through different stages of later life while recognising the importance of familiar surroundings and community connections.
A place to feel at home
From its beautiful beaches and coastal walks to its friendly local businesses, Coolum offers a lifestyle that’s easy to enjoy.
At Sundale Coolum Waters Village, that same sense of connection continues through shared experiences, welcoming neighbours and the freedom to spend each day your own way.
It’s the sort of place where neighbours wave as they pass, gardens become conversation starters and every day brings another opportunity to enjoy life at your own pace.
Considering retirement living in Coolum? Explore Sundale’s Coolum Waters Community to discover more about available homes and village lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Leah Desborough
