Don’t let our laidback beach lifestyle fool you! The Sunshine Coast knows how to satisfy your foodie cravings... and seafood fresh off the trawler is just the beginning.
A foodie tour here will take you from sampling award-winning dairy in the Hinterland, to brewery-hopping along the Sunshine Coast’s craft beer trail, picking plump strawberries by the basketful, and getting hands-on at a local cooking school.
Head to the Hinterland
Glasshouse Plantation
For plenty of homegrown goodness, turn the car towards the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. You’ll know you’re nearly there once farmgate stalls start popping up by the roadside, brimming with everything from fresh pineapples to avocados, honey, and finger limes.
If you’re keen on a brew with a view, make sure to stop in at Glasshouse Plantation. This place boasts impressive views out across several of our iconic Glass House Mountains and takes ‘paddock-to-cup’ to a whole new level. Here, you’ll get to indulge in fresh local produce, book a tour of their Arabica coffee trees and processing facilities, and tickle your tastebuds on a tasting experience spotlighting Australian coffee flavours.
Farm to fork
Creative Tours small group tour
For the ultimate local foodie experience, don’t miss a Farm to Fork Hinterland Tour. This epic and personalised offering from Creative Tours allows you to meet the producers, coffee roasters, brewers, distillers and growers as you tour through scenic locations such as Noosa, Montville, the Mary Valley, Caloundra, Moffat Beach, Mooloolaba and Cooroy. Better yet, the tour includes a four-course lunch created lovingly from the locally-sourced, seasonal produce the region is famous for. Bon Appetit!
To market
Shopping at Eumundi Markets
If you want to live like a local, grab your basket and make tracks to one of the many Sunshine Coast farmers markets for an authentic foodie fix. The buzzing Noosa Farmers Market is a hive of activity from 6am until noon every Sunday. Go with an empty belly as there are some seriously delicious stalls here slinging everything from coffee to farm fresh produce, honey, baked goods, cheeses and local seafood.
For a slightly more laidback morning, Kawana Waters Farmers Market showcases some of the finest local produce and a stellar line-up of Sunshine Coast’s food producers. You'll also want to add Eumundi Markets to your list for a truly immersive experience.
Cheese please!
Kenilworth Dairies, Kenilworth
If you love cheese, don't leave town without a cheeky visit to Kenilworth Dairies. Proudly owned by a sixth-generation local dairying family, this foodie haven is a destination for lovers of the good stuff. Watch cheese being made from a viewing platform and sample the homemade artisan soft offerings, rich blues, haloumi and family favourite cheddars. If you still have room for more, pop into the on-site cafe Poppa’s for a cheese board or some homemade ice cream. Be sure to stock up on goodies from the cellar door to take home on the way out.
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Cheers to that
Friends at Moffat Beach Brewing Co, Caloundra
Yep, the Sunshine Coast is home to epic beaches, restaurants and natural attractions galore, but did you know the Sunshine Coast is also Australia’s Craft Beer Capital? In fact, our region has more craft breweries per capita than any state or territory in Australia...and you can taste the local passion in every glass.
Take your pick from buzzing coastal venues like Moffat Beach Brewing Co. and Ten Toes Brewery, industrial gems such as Land & Sea Brewery and Hinterland hot spots like Brouhaha and Terella Brewing, with each boutique-style brewery offering a unique but equally delightful journey.Make a day of it and hop on a tour with Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours to taste the local tipples and meet the brewers behind the brands.
Get your chef on
Spirit House cooking school
The best part of cooking is eating your creations, right? Set amongst tropical gardens, towering palms and a tranquil pond, local icon Spirit House Cooking School offers hands-on, chef-run classes aiming to demystify Asian ingredients and cooking methods. For more inspo, check out our guide to local cooking schools here.
Berry nice!
Strawberry Picking at McMartin’s Farm
Get amongst the sunshine and pick your own fruit at McMartin’s Strawberry Farm. Located at Bli Bli, this popular family-owned and operated slice of paradise provides a fab family day out. When in season, you can pick scrumptious strawberries straight from the field before treating yourself to a scoop of award-winning ice-cream.
Seafood with a side of sunset
When a killer sunset and bubbles are on the agenda, it’s hard not to have a good time. Live your best life and indulge in two of life’s great pleasures aboard with the crew from Seafood Cruise Mooloolaba. Kick back on a luxury vessel, and admire the peachy twilight as you sail through Mooloolaba's canals.
