Golden Beach vs Pelican Waters

In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Golden Beach, about half of households are people living alone. In Pelican Waters, most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Pelican Waters: a median of $1.53 million, against $1.29 million in Golden Beach, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Golden Beach tends to suit people living alone and buyers on a tighter budget, while Pelican Waters suits couples.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Pelican Waters

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • is already more of a family suburb (69% vs 40%)
  • carries lower crime risk (27/100 vs 43/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (88% vs 56%)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Golden Beach

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($1,200,000 vs $1,450,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($1,290,000 vs $1,530,000)
  • But Pelican Waters leaves households under less mortgage stress (33% vs 38%)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Golden Beach

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (32% vs 13%)
  • has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $540/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Pelican Waters

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (68/100 vs 50/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Pelican Waters

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (27/100 vs 43/100)
  • is more walkable (68/100 vs 50/100)
  • But Golden Beach has more units and townhouses to downsize into (44% vs 12%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Pelican Waters

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (17.8% vs 1.3%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (4.9% vs 3.8%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Golden Beach and Pelican Waters drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Walkability 50 / 68
Golden Beach — Walkability: 50/100 Pelican Waters — Walkability: 68/100
Safety 57 / 73
Golden Beach — Safety: 57/100 Pelican Waters — Safety: 73/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Golden Beach — Low fire risk: 100/100 Pelican Waters — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Pelican Waters rents higher ($540/wk vs $400/wk); Pelican Waters has higher household incomes ($80,704 vs $60,008).

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Population 5,646 7,393
+31% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +1.3% +17.8%
Median age 55
same for both
Median household income $60,008/yr $80,704/yr
+34% vs other
Median weekly rent $400/wk $540/wk
+35% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
0-4 3.0% / 3.0%
Golden Beach — 0-4: 3.0% Pelican Waters — 0-4: 3.0%
5-14 8.7% / 10.8%
Golden Beach — 5-14: 8.7% Pelican Waters — 5-14: 10.8%
15-19 4.3% / 5.8%
Golden Beach — 15-19: 4.3% Pelican Waters — 15-19: 5.8%
20-24 3.3% / 3.2%
Golden Beach — 20-24: 3.3% Pelican Waters — 20-24: 3.2%
25-34 6.5% / 4.7%
Golden Beach — 25-34: 6.5% Pelican Waters — 25-34: 4.7%
35-44 10.1% / 7.2%
Golden Beach — 35-44: 10.1% Pelican Waters — 35-44: 7.2%
45-54 13.0% / 14.6%
Golden Beach — 45-54: 13.0% Pelican Waters — 45-54: 14.6%
55-64 15.2% / 17.1%
Golden Beach — 55-64: 15.2% Pelican Waters — 55-64: 17.1%
65-74 18.2% / 20.2%
Golden Beach — 65-74: 18.2% Pelican Waters — 65-74: 20.2%
75-84 12.5% / 11.1%
Golden Beach — 75-84: 12.5% Pelican Waters — 75-84: 11.1%
85+ 5.2% / 2.3%
Golden Beach — 85+: 5.2% Pelican Waters — 85+: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.2%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Golden Beach 52.3% lone person
Golden Beach — Lone Person: 52.3% Golden Beach — Couple Families: 24.0% Golden Beach — One Parent Families: 16.1% Golden Beach — Group Household: 6.2% Golden Beach — Other Families: 1.4%
Pelican Waters 27.2% lone person
Pelican Waters — Lone Person: 27.2% Pelican Waters — Couple Families: 55.1% Pelican Waters — One Parent Families: 14.3% Pelican Waters — Group Household: 2.3% Pelican Waters — Other Families: 1.2%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Golden Beach 32.3% renting
Golden Beach — Owned Outright: 48.4% Golden Beach — Mortgage: 19.4% Golden Beach — Renting: 32.3%
Pelican Waters 12.9% renting
Pelican Waters — Owned Outright: 57.3% Pelican Waters — Mortgage: 29.8% Pelican Waters — Renting: 12.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Certificate III & IV 17.7% / 16.7%
Golden Beach — Certificate III & IV: 17.7% Pelican Waters — Certificate III & IV: 16.7%
Bachelor Degree 10.1% / 11.3%
Golden Beach — Bachelor Degree: 10.1% Pelican Waters — Bachelor Degree: 11.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.6% / 10.8%
Golden Beach — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.6% Pelican Waters — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.8%
Postgraduate Degree 2.8% / 3.6%
Golden Beach — Postgraduate Degree: 2.8% Pelican Waters — Postgraduate Degree: 3.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 1.9%
Golden Beach — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% Pelican Waters — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.7%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
England 5.1% / 9.1%
Golden Beach — England: 5.1% Pelican Waters — England: 9.1%
New Zealand 3.8% / 4.8%
Golden Beach — New Zealand: 3.8% Pelican Waters — New Zealand: 4.8%
South Africa 0.8% / 1.6%
Golden Beach — South Africa: 0.8% Pelican Waters — South Africa: 1.6%
Scotland 0.6% / 0.9%
Golden Beach — Scotland: 0.6% Pelican Waters — Scotland: 0.9%
Germany 0.5% / 0.6%
Golden Beach — Germany: 0.5% Pelican Waters — Germany: 0.6%
Philippines 0.5% / —
Golden Beach — Philippines: 0.5% Pelican Waters — Philippines: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (9.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Golden Beach 56.5% houses
Golden Beach — Houses: 56.5% Golden Beach — Flats / Apartments: 30.9% Golden Beach — Townhouses: 12.7%
Pelican Waters 88.0% houses
Pelican Waters — Houses: 88.0% Pelican Waters — Flats / Apartments: 5.5% Pelican Waters — Townhouses: 6.4%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Median house price $1,290,000 $1,530,000
Median unit price $870,000 $900,000
Median land price $1,200,000 $1,450,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 32 days
from 96 sales
 38 days
from 118 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
2 bed $854K / $845K
Golden Beach — 2 bed: $854K (58 sales) Pelican Waters — 2 bed: $845K (20 sales)

58 vs 20 sales

3 bed $1.32M / $1.04M
Golden Beach — 3 bed: $1.32M (26 sales) Pelican Waters — 3 bed: $1.04M (14 sales)

26 vs 14 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
3 bed $1.26M / $1.46M
Golden Beach — 3 bed: $1.26M (77 sales) Pelican Waters — 3 bed: $1.46M (20 sales)

77 vs 20 sales

4 bed $1.34M / $1.45M
Golden Beach — 4 bed: $1.34M (39 sales) Pelican Waters — 4 bed: $1.45M (167 sales)

39 vs 167 sales

5 bed $1.53M / $1.75M
Golden Beach — 5 bed: $1.53M (14 sales) Pelican Waters — 5 bed: $1.75M (37 sales)

14 vs 37 sales

Development activity

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
New dwellings approved 2,962
across Sunshine Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -41%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Houses 3.1%
$788/wk on $1.34M
 3.5%
$1,035/wk on $1.55M
Units 3.8%
$700/wk on $950K
 4.9%
$910/wk on $975K

Ranking within QLD

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 25% of QLD Higher than 51% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 87% of QLD Higher than 91% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 82% of QLD Higher than 81% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 89% of QLD Higher than 94% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 12% of QLD Higher than 24% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 24% of QLD Higher than 69% of QLD

Liveability

Pelican Waters is more walkable (68 vs 50); Pelican Waters scores higher overall (78 vs 60).

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Grade B A
Score 60/100 78/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Golden Beach carries more crime risk (43 vs 27).

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
43/100
 Low
27/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion High
82/100
 None
0/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 1
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Golden Beach

  • Golden Beach State School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Pelican Waters

  • Caloundra City Private School Independent · Combined at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Supermarkets 0 2
Cafes & restaurants 7 0
Parks & reserves 12 13
Childcare 2 4
GPs 0 1
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Waterways 1 8

Mobility

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Walkability score 50/100 68/100
Distance to Brisbane 92.6 km 94 km
+2% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 82 min 81 min
Public transport score 71/100
Bus
 45/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 27.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 11.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 2 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.0%
postcode 4551
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 72
postcode 4551
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Car (driver) 75.1% / 68.2%
Golden Beach — Car (driver): 75.1% Pelican Waters — Car (driver): 68.2%
Worked from Home 15.5% / 24.0%
Golden Beach — Worked from Home: 15.5% Pelican Waters — Worked from Home: 24.0%
Car (passenger) 3.9% / 5.1%
Golden Beach — Car (passenger): 3.9% Pelican Waters — Car (passenger): 5.1%
Walked Only 2.6% / 0.9%
Golden Beach — Walked Only: 2.6% Pelican Waters — Walked Only: 0.9%
Bicycle 1.3% / 0.9%
Golden Beach — Bicycle: 1.3% Pelican Waters — Bicycle: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (75.1%).

Setting

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Elevation 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 1 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 293 m
951 m to a named beach
 1.5 km
2.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Connectivity score 77/100 86/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 33%
3,921 premises
 62%
3,598 premises

Climate

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Annual rainfall 1,052 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 27.8°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 14.7°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.31 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Average residential rate $1,690/yr
same for both
Council Sunshine Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Division Fisher
same for both
Member Andrew Wallace
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Golden Beach Pelican Waters
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Golden Beach

Beach Coastal Parks Retirees

Pelican Waters

Coastal Large Blocks Parks Premium Quiet Retirees River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Golden Beach

Golden Beach vs Caloundra West Golden Beach vs Caloundra Golden Beach vs Coochin Creek

Other comparisons with Pelican Waters

Pelican Waters vs Caloundra West Pelican Waters vs Bells Creek Pelican Waters vs Coochin Creek
Full data on Golden Beach Full data on Pelican Waters
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or