Mount Coolum Golf Club
At the foot of the volcanic plug of Mount Coolum sits one of the Sunshine Coast's most popular public courses. A relatively flat par 72 with water in play across much of the round and native bush all around, Mount Coolum is welcoming, well kept and bookable by anyone, an easy round to fold into a Coolum or Noosa trip.
Photo: Ross Dawson, Mount Coolum Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Mount Coolum Golf Club is the accessible heart of golf in the Coolum Beach area, a friendly public club at the base of the striking Mount Coolum peak. It is widely regarded as one of the more picturesque and popular courses on the Sunshine Coast, the kind of relaxed, well presented layout that suits a visiting group looking for a good round without the formality or expense of a private club.
The course is a par 72 of a little under 6,000 yards, relatively flat and very playable, with water coming into play on around twelve holes and an abundance of native flora framing the fairways. It will not overpower a strong player from the tips, but it rewards accuracy and tidy course management, and its condition and setting make it a pleasant walk or ride. For travelers, the appeal is simple: a quality public course in a lovely coastal setting that anyone can book and play.
Mount Coolum Golf Club at a glance
- Established
- 1970s
- Setting
- Below Mount Coolum
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Length
- About 5,900 yd
- Access
- Public, bookable
Par, length, setting and public access verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Mount Coolum Golf Club is a public par 72 of around 5,900 yards at the foot of Mount Coolum, with water in play on about twelve holes. The original designer is not definitively documented in club records, so we do not attribute one. Note that the separate former resort course at Coolum, the Palmer Coolum Resort layout once known for the Australian PGA Championship, is no longer open for general public play. Green fees are seasonal and indicative for 2026, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Mount Coolum plays across gentle, low lying ground, so the round is comfortable to walk and the challenge comes from position rather than elevation. Water is the defining hazard, in play on roughly twelve of the eighteen holes, asking for honest club selection and a sensible line off the tee. The fairways are framed by native melaleuca and eucalyptus, which give the course its green, enclosed feel and punish the wayward shot without making it unfair.
The greens are generally receptive and fair, so a player who keeps the ball in play and judges the approaches well can score, while the water hazards quietly collect the over ambitious. The peak of Mount Coolum looms over the course as a constant backdrop, a reminder of the volcanic landscape and a feature that makes several holes genuinely photogenic. It is a layout that flatters good iron play and steady nerves more than raw length.
For the visiting golfer the appeal is the combination of accessibility, condition and setting. This is a public course that welcomes everyone, sits minutes from the Coolum and Marcoola beaches, and pairs easily with the resort courses around Noosa and Maroochydore for a relaxed Sunshine Coast golf trip.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A public golf club open to visitors; check the current visitor and competition schedule when you reserve a tee time |
| How to play | Book a tee time through the club or an online booking partner; carts and clubs are available for hire, and the club is well set up for casual groups and society days |
| Green fee | Indicative 2026 rates are modest for a Sunshine Coast public course; check current weekday, weekend and twilight pricing when you book |
| On the day | Smart casual golf attire and soft spikes; the flat ground makes for an easy walk, with carts available |
| Getting there | Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast, around 25 minutes south of Noosa and close to the Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola |
| Best months | April to October is the prime window, warm and dry; summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms common |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates and visitor policies are seasonal and change, so always confirm the current price and tee time directly before booking. See our Australia green fees guide for the wider picture.
Where to stay nearby
Coolum Beach and the neighboring Marcoola and Mudjimba offer a relaxed spread of beachfront apartments and resort hotels, with Noosa's boutique stays a short drive north. The setting suits a golf and beach trip, with the coast, the cafes and the national park all close at hand.
For the golfer, Mount Coolum sits at the center of the Sunshine Coast cluster, pairing naturally with Twin Waters at Mudjimba, Noosa Springs to the north and Pelican Waters at Caloundra to the south. A few days based around Coolum can comfortably take in the best of the coast's golf.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Coolum Beach and the Sunshine Coast.
Build a Sunshine Coast golf trip
We pair Mount Coolum with Twin Waters, Noosa Springs and Pelican Waters, and sort the lodging around Coolum and Noosa. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Mount Coolum Golf Club questions
Is Coolum Golf Club open to the public?
Yes. Mount Coolum Golf Club, the public club at Coolum Beach, welcomes visitors and is bookable by anyone. Reserve a tee time through the club or an online partner and confirm seasonal green fees and the competition schedule before booking. The separate former Palmer Coolum Resort course is no longer open for general public play.
What is the par and length of Mount Coolum?
Mount Coolum plays as a par 72 of around 5,900 yards. It is a relatively flat parkland layout with water in play on about twelve holes, framed by native melaleuca and eucalyptus, so the challenge is accuracy and position rather than length.
Who designed Mount Coolum Golf Club?
The original designer of Mount Coolum Golf Club is not definitively documented in publicly available club records, so we do not attribute one. The course was established in the 1970s and has been maintained as a popular public layout below the Mount Coolum peak ever since.
What other courses are near Coolum?
Mount Coolum pairs naturally with Twin Waters at Mudjimba just to the south, Noosa Springs to the north, and Pelican Waters at Caloundra, an easy spread of Sunshine Coast golf for a multi course trip.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, year, par, length, access and seasonal fee context verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.