What to know about Sunshine Coast
- With 382,903 people at the 2021 Census, the Sunshine Coast urban area had a median age of 44.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats
- By our count, about 22.1% of the Sunshine Coast urban area's people were 65 or older in 2021.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats
- Caloundra Aquatic Centre, in the Caloundra Central Park Sports Precinct on Arthur Street, has an indoor gym.Source: Sunshine Coast Council - Caloundra Aquatic Centre
- As reported by the council in June 2024, Kawana is one of nine council-owned aquatic centres in the region, alongside Beerwah, Caloundra, Buderim, Cotton Tree, Coolum, Palmwoods, Nambour and Eumundi.Source: Sunshine Coast Council news - New facilities on way for Kawana Aquatic Centre
- As reported by the council in June 2024, Stage One of the Kawana Aquatic Centre upgrade, including a new 20-metre indoor heated pool, was finished and Stage Two was expected in late 2025.Source: Sunshine Coast Council news - New facilities on way for Kawana Aquatic Centre
Know when you will train
The 2021 Census counted 382,903 residents in the Sunshine Coast urban area. Their median age was 44, and about 22.1% were 65 or older by our count. Daytime trainers and before-work trainers want very different gyms, so decide which one you are first.
Then visit at that hour. A floor that is calm at 10am can have a queue for every rack at 5.30pm.
Council aquatic centres
Caloundra Aquatic Centre sits in the Caloundra Central Park Sports Precinct on Arthur Street, and Sunshine Coast Council lists an indoor gym among its facilities. A pool and a weights room under one roof suits anyone who wants to swim laps on the days they are not lifting.
In June 2024 the council reported that Kawana is one of nine council-owned aquatic centres across the region, with the others at Beerwah, Caloundra, Buderim, Cotton Tree, Coolum, Palmwoods, Nambour and Eumundi. As reported then, Stage One of the Kawana upgrade had delivered a new 20-metre, five-lane indoor heated pool, and Stage Two was expected in late 2025. Ask the centre what is open today before you plan a week around it.
Your 48 hours
Every new gym membership agreement in Queensland must include a cooling-off period of 48 hours. Inside that time you can change your mind and cancel without giving a reason, but you must tell the gym in writing before the 48 hours are up (Queensland Government).
- Keep your copy of the agreement and note when you signed it.
- Cancel by email or letter and keep proof that you sent it.
- A word at the front desk is not a written cancellation.
Pick the kind of gym before the gym
In 2021, 73.2% of occupied private dwellings on the Sunshine Coast were separate houses, so many people here have space for a few weights at home. A paid membership has to beat that. Decide what you cannot do in a garage: heavy barbell work, group classes or coaching in a small group. Then compare gyms on that one thing.
We are an independent referral service. Tell us your suburb and goal and one local gym gets your enquiry.
Sunshine Coast gym questions
Does Caloundra Aquatic Centre have a gym?
Sunshine Coast Council lists an indoor gym at the centre, which is on Arthur Street in the Caloundra Central Park Sports Precinct. Check hours and membership options with the centre itself.
Can you find me a strength studio in Noosa or Nambour?
We take enquiries from the whole Sunshine Coast and pass each one to a single gym or studio. We cannot promise a specialist studio in every town, so say how far you are happy to travel.