While Noosa is renowned for its sugar white sand beaches and lush national parks, if you venture beyond the coastline you’ll find a cluster of postcard perfect hinterland towns (like Cooroy, Pomona and Kin Kin) just waiting to be explored.
Jump in the car and make tracks inland to the Noosa Hinterland - an enchanting region awash with natural beauty, country charm and culinary delights.
Gather your crew and cancel your plans this weekend - these are the best things to check out in the Noosa Hinterland
Pomona Distilling Co.
Lunch at Pomona Distilling Co., Pomona
Soak up the sunshine and dial up the good vibes with a visit to Pomona Distilling Co.. A totally Instagram-worthy location, you’ll find the distillery situated on the historical site of the original Pomona Bakery - originally built in the early 1900s. As well as being the perfect setting to sip your way through their range of hand-crafted spirits, purified with activated charcoal and made using locally sourced ingredients, make sure you stick around for a drool-worthy lunch at the on-site bistro. Offering a menu that celebrates paddock to plate produce, you can devour smoked pumpkin curry and Noosa barramundi with pink peppercorn in their outdoor dog-friendly garden or inside the cosy barn-style bistro.
Black Ant Gourmet Kin Kin
Black Ant Gourmet, Kin Kin
Just a 40-minute cruise from the sandy shores of Noosa, slow down and unwind with a visit to the charming town of Kin Kin - and in particular, Black Ant Gourmet at Kin Kin General Store. Snag a seat on the wraparound veranda (perfect for letting the crisp sun rays warm you up) and tuck into their array of tasty dishes featuring locally sourced, organic produce. Think: cajun cuttlefish salad and pulled Greek lamb shoulder. Post meal, walk off your food coma with a meander through the general store where you can fill your basket with ready-made meals, preserves and house-made ice cream. Another reason this place is so special - these guys are ALL about sustainability, with the restaurant 50% solar powered, 100% rainwater self-sufficient and home to an on-site herb garden used in all of their dishes.
Mayan Farm Luxe Villas
Mayan Farm, Kin Kin
If the food coma from lunch proves too much, you can always extend your stay with a night at nearby Mayan Farm Luxe Villas. Situated on more than 100 sprawling green acres, this luxury bespoke accommodation oozes relaxation. Comprising two villas (featuring polished concrete floors, milled timbers and railway sleepers from the original slab) linked by a gorgeous pavilion, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the farm and countryside. Feel your shoulders drop inch by inch as you unwind in the outdoor tub, toast marshmallows by the fire pit, and wake up with a refreshing dip in the plunge pool. And if you really want to go all out (you do) you can add on in-house massages and catering from Black Ant Gourmet. It’s the ultimate holiday escape.
Noosa Botanic Gardens
Go for a sunny stroll in our leafy backyard, and while we don’t like to pick favourites, you just can’t go wrong with a visit to Noosa Botanic Gardens. The stunning spot, located on the edge of Lake Macdonald, covers eight hectares of lush gardens, bursting with a technicolour rainbow of flowers, plants, butterflies and more than 94 species of birds. Meander along the labyrinth of winding paths that will lead you to picnic spots, sprawling lawns, an open-air bush chapel, lily pond, fern house and stunning amphitheatre. A place of absolute tranquillity, here it’s all about basking in Mother Nature’s magic
Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre
Culture buffs - or simply those who can appreciate incredible art - will want to spend their days marvelling at the thought-provoking exhibitions on offer at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. The heartbeat of the adorable hinterland town, the Butter Factory - which was originally built in 1930 - is a creative hub, home to a bright and airy gallery featuring free roving exhibitions, a pottery studio and an artisan store. If you’re feeling inspired, you can get your hands dirty at one of the factory’s immersive workshops such as abstract painting, sculpture and ceramics.
Pomona Village Kitchen
Pomona Distilling Co., Pomona, Noosa Hinterland
By now you’re probably picking up on a bit of a theme here - the Noosa hinterland is a total foodie’s nirvana, and while there are lots of tasty eateries to try, Pomona Village Kitchen needs to go to the top of your must-do list. Proudly a ‘slow-food’ restaurant, the eatery is all about sustainably sourced seasonal produce with low mileage and wastage - which means you’ll find an ever-changing menu packed with total flavour bombs. On their website you can see exactly which region the ingredients in your tasty dish is from. Think: brioche from Pomona Bakery, free-range eggs from Bunya Grove Produce and gin from Pomona Distilling Co.. Pro tip: order the Sexy Village Bun (smoked thrice-cooked pulled pork, rainbow slaw, rich house aioli) with a side of chilli poppers and thank us later.
