Ontheknoll

We escaped the mind numbing hustle and bustle of the Sunshine Coast a few years back to live in Kooralbyn. Building here is a nightmare, made worse by builders who feel if they pass a few cows and aren't within a kilometre of Macca's, they're 'all the way out here!'. They charge accordingly, and many refuse outright to build out here at all. This will change. I remember a time when Kenilworth and Beerwah were considered the back of the boonies too...
With new council building codes and DA approvals needed to build, my advice would be to buy an existing property in Kooralbyn and make it your own. Ripping up carpet, painting etc is much cheaper than building out here.
Having said that. It's worth the fight in the long run if you do. Kooralbyn is beautiful. The wildlife is fabulous and good for the soul for those who appreciate the quieter, unique things in life. We could do with a police station as the level of teenage and/or 'redneck' mischief has increased, although it's still much better than the city and generally quiet.
My husband drives into Slacks Creek to work every day, which is quite an easy drive and just under an hour. The cost to do so isn't great, but he'd prefer that and escape to our little spot than live close to work. It's a lifestyle choice and the lifestyle is pretty good here, depending on what you're looking for. There are Community Groups who host events for those who want social interaction and there is always the choice of spending time on your own larger size block, communing with nature and keeping very much to yourself in a lovely spot in S.E.Queensland.