The suburb takes its name from the headland Caloundra Head (in the neighbouring suburb of
Kings Beach), which in turn comes from the
Kabi language words "kal/owen" meaning
beech tree (
Gmelina leichhardtii) and "dha" meaning
place. A 1907 map shows several sections from George Street to Ernest St advertised for auction on 7 January 1907 by the Government Land Office. 404 allotments of 'Bulcock Estate' were advertised for auction on 16 August 1917 by Isle, Love and Co, auctioneers, with an edge of the Estate mapped as adjacent to Tripcony's store and the Tramway terminus. In 1919, 29 subdivided allotments of 'Caloundra Heads Estate' were advertised to be auctioned on 20 December 1919 by Cameron Bros. in Brisbane. A map advertising the auction shows the majority of blocks were on Albert Street between King Street and King's Beach. Another undated map shows more blocks of this estate were advertised for auction on King Street towards Ernest Street. Caloundra Provisional School opened on 8 March 1899 and became Caloundra State School on 1 June 1912. From 1963 to 1966, it progressively offered secondary schooling on a new site. On 23 January 1967, the new site officially became Caloundra State High School. Our Lady of the Rosary School opened on 29 January 1980 by the Roman Catholic teaching order, the
Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The Sir Francis Nicklin Memorial Uniting Church was officially opened on Saturday 20 September 1980 by
Mike Ahern, the Member of the
Queensland Legislative Assembly for
Landsborough. It commemorates former
Queensland Premier,
Frank Nicklin, who was previously the Member for Landsborough. == Demographics ==