Overall score
Coolum Beach
61.3/100
Point Arkwright
32.8/100
Coolum Beach for retirees and beach lifestyle; Point Arkwright for families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Coolum Beach
61.3/100
Point Arkwright
32.8/100
Crime rate
Coolum Beach
11.5 / 1k
Point Arkwright
11.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Coolum Beach
38
Point Arkwright
14
Population
Coolum Beach
9,152
Point Arkwright
309
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Coolum Beach | Point Arkwright |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 61.3/100 | 32.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.8/100 | 22.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 11.5 / 1k | 11.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 16 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 27 | — |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 38 | 14 |
| Population | 9,152 | 309 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Put side by side, Coolum Beach is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Point Arkwright is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
On the data, Coolum Beach is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Point Arkwright answers with easy access to the coast. On housing, Coolum Beach sits in a expensive band, compared with a well priced feel in Point Arkwright.
Retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle may find Coolum Beach the better fit, while families are more likely to prefer Point Arkwright.