Everything You Need to Know About Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

November 16, 2023

If you’re considering a move to Sippy Downs, you’re not the only one – this sunny corner of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has attracted many buyers over the years. So what makes Sippy Downs the perfect place to call home? For students and first home buyers, it’s the suburb’s proximity to the University of the Sunshine Coast. For families and downsizers, it’s the beachside lifestyle and year-round sunny weather.

In this article, we break down the main things you need to know about Sippy Downs.

About Sippy Downs

Sippy Downs gets its name from the Aboriginal word for “birds”: “dhippi” or “jippi”. In the 1860s, Sippy Downs was part of the Moolooloo Plains pastoral run, owned by John Westaway & Sons. Over the course of 130 years, the land changed hands a number of times—until it was rezoned in 1993, bringing about the creation of the University of the Sunshine Coast and Chancellor Park.

While Sippy Downs is known today for being a university town, the majority of the community is made up of young professionals. According to 2016 Census data, the median age for Sippy Downs residents is 33 years old—with the majority of families composed of couples with an average of two children. Families in Sippy Downs are spoilt for choice in terms of education; there are a number of public, private and religious schools in the area.

Where is Sippy Downs, Queensland?

Sippy Downs is on the south-east end of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. While the suburb sits a little further inland than its surrounding communities, this makes it a more affordable option for beach lovers on a budget. Living in Sippy Downs, you’re close to the established suburbs of Buderim, Chancellor Park, Maroochydore and Harmony—just to name a few.

Sippy Downs is very close to the Sunshine Motorway and just three minutes off the Bruce Highway. Brisbane is just over an hour away, and Noosa is 50 minutes to the north.

What To Do in Sippy Downs

From Bellingham Maze to the iconic Australia Zoo, there’s fun to be had for the whole family in and around Sippy Downs.

Mooloolaba Beach

The relaxed seaside town of Mooloolaba is just ten minutes’ drive west of Sippy Downs. Mooloolaba Beach is perfect for a leisurely stroll and swim, and the main drag is full of a delicious mix of eateries.

Aussie World

Aussie World is great for kids and parents alike; there’s something for everyone at this iconic theme park. Rides and attractions, and shopping, food and drink beckon, with the Banana Bender pub as the centrepiece. Known as the “Sunshine Coast’s most unique pub”, Banana Bender is grand and lurid, wowing its visitors with its bright decor inspired by hints of the beachside lifestyle.

Explore Nature

To the east of Sippy Downs, you’ll find the Mooloolah River National Park. The park is an important conservation area in southern Queensland, protecting valuable land consisting of forests, wallum heath, eucalypt woodlands and tea-tree swamps. The Mooloolah River runs through this park, and is popular for canoeing and wildflower spotting.

The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens are located to the west of Sippy Downs, and boast some of the most tranquil lakes, rockpools and wetlands on the Sunshine Coast. Explore the picnic spots, walking tracks and bike paths, and check out the sculpture gardens and diverse wildlife on offer.

Ewen Maddock Dam is a popular attraction in the locality, with walking tracks, picnic spots and the chance to swim or kayak in the summer.

Shopping in Sippy Downs

If you’re in need of some retail therapy, you’re in the right place. The Sippy Downs Town Centre offers a wide range of shopping destinations, and Kawana Shoppingworld—the first shopping centre on the Sunshine Coast—is only 10 minutes away by car, with new cinemas recently added. Do a little looking and you’ll be delighted by the local boutiques in the surrounding areas.

Weather in Sippy Downs

Weather in Sippy Downs is relatively warm and humid for most of the year, with an average temperature of 18°C. Being a tropical beachside climate, rainfall is common in most months: sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. In the winter, temperatures generally don’t drop below 19°C, making the suburb a pleasant place to call home.

Living near Sippy Downs

If you’re looking for land for sale near Sippy Downs, consider purchasing a block in the community of Harmony. Harmony is only seven minutes’ drive from the Sippy Downs town centre, and has the added benefit of being designed and built around the needs of its residents.

For many buyers, Harmony is an affordable option which gives you the opportunity to live in a sought-after location while customising your new home to fit your needs. Visit Harmony’s Display World today to discuss what’s possible for you.