A record-breaking apartment sale has underlined the appeal of a Sunshine Coast tourist hub, with strong buyer demand and limited stock driving competition for premium properties.
A $4.3 million deal for a penthouse at Peninsula Beachfront Resort has set a new benchmark for price per square metre at Mooloolaba.
Define Property Sunshine Coast sales consultant Jordan Barden said the sale of 104/13 Mooloolaba Esplanade was proof the beachside suburb was among the most desirable real estate markets in South-East Queensland.
“It shows how strong and in-demand Mooloolaba apartments are,” he said.
“The backyard is the greatest beach in Australia.”
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Mr Barden said buyers were increasingly drawn to the region for lifestyle and investment opportunities.
“People are realising how fantastic the Sunshine Coast is,” he said.
“The region is still reasonably priced compared to Sydney and some other places, so I think a lot of people are moving their money here.
“Most of the interest is for holiday apartment investments, from people in Melbourne or from farmers out west.”
The 126sqm penthouse was the highest sale at Peninsula – by more than $1 million – since the complex was built in 1995.
The apartment features open-plan living and dining areas that flow onto a balcony, a renovated kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private rooftop terrace with a spa.
“It’s the most north-facing unit in the block and it’s got great ocean views,” Mr Barden said.
Peninsula also boasts facilities including a swimming pool, full-size tennis court, multiple barbecue areas and a sauna.
“You can walk straight across the road to the (beach swimming area) flags and the surf club,” Mr Barden said.
“It’s the best-positioned building in Mooloolaba, and one of the things people love about it is it probably has the best onsite management team in Mooloolaba.”
Mr Barden said the record sale, which was made off-market, was a year in the making.
The Brisbane-based seller held the property since 2006, when it was purchased for $1.6 million, before it changed hands on July 24.

“The buyer had been waiting for the right property,” he said.
“He wanted a north-facing penthouse and if he could get one in Peninsula he was happy to pay whatever it took – basically because of how popular that building is.
“Once this property finally came up, we were able to piece together a deal that suited both the buyer and the seller.
“The buyer first made an offer on it about a year ago. We eventually settled on a price the owner was happy with. The buyer was also happy to wait until that point.
“He sold one of his properties in Queensland to buy it as a holiday and lifestyle home for his family.”
Auction results
19/26 Picnic Point Esplanade, Maroochydore
- Sold under the hammer for $1.16m
- 2 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car
- Ray White, Niall Molloy
36 Osborne Circuit, Maroochydore
- Sold prior to auction for $1.01m
- 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car
- Ray White, Brent Higgins
7 Davey Street, Bli Bli
- Sold under the hammer for $985,000
- 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car
- Ray White, Hayden Kehoe
10 Firetail Court, Wurtulla
- Sold under the hammer for $1.935m
- 4 Bed, 3 Bath, 2 Car
- Ray White, Lachie Woods
116 Goonawarra Drive, Mooloolaba
- Passed in at $1.2m, contact agent
- 4 Bed, 1 Bath, 1 Car
- Ray White, Brent Higgins
6/26 River Esplanade, Mooloolaba
- Passed in at $775,000, on the market for offers over $799,000
- 2 Bed, 1 Bath, 1 Cam
- Ray White, Max Luo
2/51 Anzac Avenue, Maroochydore
- Sold under the hammer for $560,000
- 2 Bed, 1 Bath, 1 Car
- Ray White, Hayden Kehoe
6 Cornflower Road, Palmview
- Sold under the hammer for $1.22m
- 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, Pool
- Ray White, Brent Higgins and Paul Leydon
7 Dove Court, Bokarina
- Sold prior to auction for $1,480,000
- 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, Pool
- Ray White, Adam Budd
4 Buruwang Street, Birtinya
- Passed in at $2.5m, contact agent
- 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 3 Car
- Ray White, Kirstin Cowie and Jacob Hussey
16 Satinay Street, Mountain Creek
- Sold for $1m
- 3 Bed, 1 Bath, 2 Car
- Define Property Agents, Ross Cattle and Katie Davies
2/1539 David Low Way, Point Arkwright
- No auction took place, on the market for offers from $1.2m
- 2 Bed, 3 Bath, 2 Car
- Ray White, Reuben Park and Emma Gray