Maroochy River Queensland
View from slopes of Mount Ninderry towards the Maroochy River, 2012
Maroochy River
Coordinates	26°34′55″S 153°01′04″E / 26.5819°S 153.0177°E / -26.5819; 153.0177 (Maroochy River (centre of locality))
Population	1,667 (2021 census)
• Density	64.36/km (166.7/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4561
Area	25.9 km (10.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	113 km (70 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Ninderry
Federal division(s)	Fairfax
Suburbs around Maroochy River: Ninderry Valdora Yandina Creek Coolum Beach Yandina Maroochy River Mount Coolum Parklands Bli Bli Marcoola

Maroochy River is a rural hinterland locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Maroochy River had a population of 1,667 people.

Geography

The Maroochy River meanders from west to east through the locality. The surrounding river flats are cleared and primarily used for farming. The hillsides in the north-west and south-east of the locality are primarily used for residential purposes and retain natural bushland. Coolum Creek forms the eastern boundary of the locality.

The Yandina-Coolum Road and the Yandina-Bli Bli Road both enter from the west, exiting to north and south respectively.

History

The name Maroochy is either a Yugarabul name collected by Andrew Petrie when he explored Wide Bay in 1842 or from Kabi word muru-kutchi meaning red bill referring to the black swan.

Maroochy River State School opened on 27 June 1911. It closed on 31 December 1972. The school was at 4 Lake Dunethin Road (26°34′43″S 153°00′39″E / 26.5785°S 153.0109°E / -26.5785; 153.0109 (Maroochy River State School (former))). The site is now occupied by the Dunethin Rock Scout campground.

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Maroochy River had a population of 1,337 people.

In the 2016 census, Maroochy River had a population of 1,531 people.

In the 2021 census, Maroochy River had a population of 1,667 people.

Heritage listings

Maroochy River has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Dunethin Rock Road: Dunethin Rock
• Store Road: Tramway Lift Bridge over Maroochy River

Amenities

There are a number of parks in the area, including:

• 2nd/14th Battalion Park (26°33′18″S 152°59′25″E / 26.5551°S 152.9903°E / -26.5551; 152.9903 (2nd/14th Battalion Park))
• Callicoma Place Natural Amenity Reserve (26°35′17″S 153°00′50″E / 26.5881°S 153.0140°E / -26.5881; 153.0140 (Callicoma Place Natural Amenity Reserve))
• Coolum Creek Environmental Reserve (17°43′29″S 102°04′32″E / 17.7246°S 102.0755°E / -17.7246; 102.0755 (Coolum Creek Environmental Reserve))
• Coolum Creek North Conservation Area (17°42′05″S 101°59′03″E / 17.7014°S 101.9841°E / -17.7014; 101.9841 (Coolum Creek North Conservation Area))
• Dunethin Rock Bushland Reserve Network (17°43′26″S 102°00′31″E / 17.7239°S 102.0086°E / -17.7239; 102.0086 (Dunethin Rock Bushland Reserve Network))
• Dunethin Rock Recreation Area (26°34′35″S 153°00′38″E / 26.5764°S 153.0105°E / -26.5764; 153.0105 (Dunethin Rock Recreation Area))
• Maroochy River Esplanade – River Road (17°42′53″S 102°02′06″E / 17.7146°S 102.0351°E / -17.7146; 102.0351 (Maroochy River Esplanade – River Road))
• Mount Ninderry Bushland Conservation Reserve (17°42′20″S 102°00′21″E / 17.7055°S 102.0057°E / -17.7055; 102.0057 (Mount Ninderry Bushland Conservation Reserve))