A new international subsea cable arrives on the Sunshine Coast

A new international subsea cable arrives on the Sunshine Coast

Something remarkable happened off the coast of Maroochydore last month, and it’s set to shape the Sunshine Coast for years to come.

A 150-metre US cable-laying ship called Dependable anchored offshore to deliver a major piece of global infrastructure – a new international subsea cable that will connect Queensland directly to the United States.

It’s part of the Tabua cable project, one of the most significant digital upgrades our region has seen, and a key step in strengthening the Sunshine Coast’s position as a future-ready location for business, lifestyle and investment.

 

What actually happened?

The delivery involved a full-scale beach operation. Crews used excavators, winches, boats and divers to carefully guide the cable onto the sand before feeding it through to its onshore connection point.

From here, it will form part of a major route linking the Sunshine Coast through the Pacific, including Fiji and Hawaii, all the way to the US.

Representatives from NEXTDC, Vocus and Google’s infrastructure team were onsite to oversee the process. Their presence signals the level of global interest and long-term confidence in the Sunshine Coast’s role within Australia’s digital network.

 

Why this matters for the Sunshine Coast

This cable isn’t something most people will ever see, but it will touch almost every part of daily life on the Coast. The benefits go far beyond faster movie streaming or more stable video calls. Large-scale digital infrastructure has a way of shaping a region’s future, and the Sunshine Coast is now positioned for several significant advantages.

• Stronger everyday connectivity: A direct link to the US means improved speed, reliability and resilience for homes and businesses. Whether you’re working from home, running a business, studying online or managing household technology, stronger digital capacity improves the day-to-day experience.
• A competitive edge for the region: Major companies choosing to invest here highlights the Sunshine Coast’s growing reputation as a forward-thinking region. This kind of infrastructure often acts as a magnet for industries that rely on high-capacity digital networks.
• A lifestyle destination with global connection: Many people seeking a sea change or a shift away from capital cities still need strong connectivity for work. This upgrade strengthens the region’s appeal for remote workers, digital professionals and tech-driven businesses wanting both lifestyle and performance.
• Stronger foundations for future development: Big projects like this often support growth in areas such as smart-city initiatives, data services, cloud computing, digital exports and innovation hubs. As more national and international organisations look to expand, the Sunshine Coast becomes an even more compelling option.

 

What this means for property

Digital capability rarely makes the headlines when people talk about real estate, but it plays a bigger role than most realise. As more professionals work from home and more businesses adopt hybrid models, buyers and tenants are increasingly looking for homes that offer both lifestyle and strong connectivity.

For homeowners and investors on the Sunshine Coast, this cable arrival adds another layer to the region’s long-term appeal.

• Remote workers are drawn to areas offering reliable high-speed internet in a lifestyle location.
• Tenants prioritise properties that can easily support home-office setups.
• Investors often see stronger uptake in regions where digital and physical infrastructure are both improving.
• Commercial operators look for locations where technology won’t hold back business growth.

As the cable becomes fully operational, suburbs around Maroochydore and nearby areas may experience increased attention from people wanting to combine coastal living with strong digital reliability.

 

What to look for next

The cable is now in place, but the operational rollout will continue over the coming months. As this happens, expect more talk about how it supports economic activity, enhances digital resilience and opens doors for new industries across the Coast.

It’s a quiet milestone, but a significant one.

The Sunshine Coast has just taken a major step forward, strengthening its place on the global digital map. The new subsea cable brings faster connectivity, increased investment appeal and even more momentum behind the region’s growth.

At Image Property, we stay across the developments that help shape your decisions.

If you’d like to understand how this may influence buying, selling or investing on the Sunshine Coast, our team is always here to help.