Coolum's roads and coast
Two ways in
The Sunshine Motorway reaches Coolum Beach at the Yandina-Coolum Road interchange, and north of Pacific Paradise it's still two lanes. David Low Way is the coastal alternative, 36 km from Maroochydore to Noosa Heads by way of Marcoola, Mount Coolum and Peregian Beach.
Salt in the air
RAC WA's advice is to wash a car that's been exposed to salt water or salt air as soon as you can, and at least once a month. Near the beachfront, that includes cars that never go near the sand.
Holiday apartments
Coolum Beach has seen heavy development of holiday apartments and new shops. A car kept at a unit for weekends is just the kind RACT says tends to lose its battery sooner, because it sits unused.
A long way from Brisbane
Coolum Beach is 118 km north of Brisbane and 26.8 km north-east of Nambour. Steady highway kilometres on the way up are easy on a car. The weeks parked by the sea afterwards are harder on its battery and paint.
Car jobs worth knowing about in Coolum
A battery check before you leave the car. If it's going to sit for weeks, a mechanic can test the battery first. RACQ adds that a car with keyless entry should be locked even in a garage, because a car that isn't locked stays awake looking for its key and draws power.
Rust and paint. Ask the mechanic to check underneath for corrosion at each service, and mention that the car lives near the surf. A fresh-water wash after a windy week by the beach is worth the few minutes it takes.
Getting it looked at in place. A car at a holiday unit is often easier to have seen where it's parked. Mobile mechanics on the Sunshine Coast explains what can be done in a car park.
If the car were ours
Before leaving the car at the unit for a few weeks, we'd have the battery tested and give it a fresh-water wash. At its next service, we'd ask for a look underneath for corrosion and say it's a beach car.