Foodie adventures in Queensland

20th January 2021 | Eativity editors

Queensland doesn’t just get amazing weather, it’s also home to some of the country’s best produce, laid back dining experiences and stunning natural beauty. This makes it an ideal foodie destination, which means that food-loving Queenslanders don’t have too far to travel to experience some of the best food and drink in Australia. Here, we check out two of the Sunshine State’s best food-producing regions, along with some tempting food events and experiences that will have you packing your bags and your extra-stretchy elastic-waisted pants before we can say, “Can we come, too?”

Foodie adventures in Queensland: the Scenic Rim

Things to do and see (and eat) in the Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim is a fertile agricultural region situated on the doorstep of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The vast region covers more than 4000 square kilometres, and its alluvial soil sustains a bounty of produce, including vegetables, olives, macadamia nuts, dairy, poultry, pork, beef, sheep, camel, finger limes, limes, coffee, avocados and rhubarb. With so much top-quality local food to enjoy, it’s not surprising that this is a foodie destination to die for. Here are just a few of the delicious adventures on offer.

Summer Land Camels

Share a sunset with camels at Summer Land Camels: January 23 and 30

Summer Land Camels at Harrisville (just under an hour from Brisbane) presents Sunset with the Camels. Guests enjoy stunning views with a glass of their favourite bevvie (which can include Summer Land’s award-winning Camel Milk & Honey Vodka), a grazing platter showcasing some award-winning camel milk cheese and some tasty local charcuterie while they watch the camels in the twilight. Bonus: the sunsets are spectacular.

Bookings required. Phone 07 5467 1707 or email info@summerlandcamels.com.au

Foodie adventures in Queensland - Pretty Produce

Farmgate and flower masterclasses at Pretty Produce: various dates

Pretty Produce is a stunningly beautiful, chemical-free flower farm outside Canungra in the Scenic Rim. It’s home to meadows of edible flowers, dried flowers, teas and flower cookies sold at the farm gate, and is also a hub for events, workshops and masterclasses. Flower masterclass will be held on Sunday, January 31, at which you can learn how to dress a cake with flowers, how to make flower cookies, make floral syrups, dress a cheese board, crystallise flowers and much more.

To find out more or to book, visit prettyproduce.com.au or email info@prettyproduce.com.au

Running Creek Beef

Running Creek Beef Australia Day weekend: January 24-26

Running Creek Beef farm is throwing open its gates to give food lovers the opportunity to shop in the open, clean, country-fresh air surrounded by spectacular mountains. Bring an esky and cold-packs and take home their grass-fed beef, pies and a range of Scenic Rim-produced gourmet goodies. Also available on the day will be the original Crows Nest traditional soft drinks and hot pies.

To find out more, visit runningcreekbeef.com.au or phone 0448 844 455.

Foodie adventures in Queensland - sunset sips at Witches Falls Winery

Sunset sips at Witches Falls Winery: every Friday in summer

Located at Tamborine Mountain in the Scenic Rim, Witches Falls Winery’s jasmine-smothered cellar doors stay open until 7pm on Fridays, which makes for a great excuse to have a sunset sip, and raise a glass to the week.

To find out more, head to witchesfalls.com.au

Kooroomba Vineyard & Lavender Farm

Sundays live on the terrace @ Kooroomba Vineyard & Lavender Farm: every Sunday

Nestled in the Fassifern Valley at Mt Alford near Boonah, Kooroomba is home to a cellar door, an award-winning restaurant headed by Executive Chef Daniel Groneberg and a lavender shop that overlooks a six-hectare vineyard and breathtaking lavender fields with magnificent views of the Scenic Rim mountains. Live On The Terrace happens every Sunday, where guests enjoy a glass of wine with house-made cob loaf and listen to mellow tunes.

To find out more visit kooroomba.com.au or phone 07 5463 0022

Foodie adventures in Queensland: Towri Sheep Cheeses

Towri Tours & Tastings: first Saturday of each month

The famous Towri Sheep Cheeses is opening to the public on the first Saturday of each month in 2021. Milking demonstrations start the tours off at 10am sharp (the woolly ladies don’t like to wait!) and bookings are essential. Or if you’d rather just sit back and take in the glory of Towri while devouring a scrumptious cheese platter, you can book for that, too. Mary and Millie the donkeys will be singing out for a pat, Hercules the award-winning racing sheep will be ready for attention, the chooks will be preened and Honey Poo and Robbie Roo the jumping Jack Russells will be on hand as the official welcoming committee. Towri Cheese Workshops can also be arranged by appointment on separate days.

For more info and to book, visit towrisheepcheeses.com.au or call 0403 463 429

Foodie adventures in Queensland: Noose Eat & Drink

Noosa Eat & Drink: a long lunch, a high tea soiree and more

Noosa’s signature foodie event, the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival, has evolved, adapting to the unstable environment for events created by COVID. It’s now changed from the annual four-day event in May to a series of seasonal events throughout the year. Here’s a taste.

Noosa Eat & Drink Long Lunch

Noosa Eat & Drink Long Lunch with Youngcare: February 19

Teaming up with the charity Youngcare, Noosa Eat & Drink is hosting an amazing long lunch event in the Noosa Woods parkland overlooking the Noosa River. With catering by Chef Ryan Fitzpatrick of The Ohana Group, premium wines by Penfolds and drinks by Bricklane Brewing and Pomona Distilling Co, the event will be a truly special day. Live auctions of money-can’t-buy experiences will form part of the lunch to raise funds for Youngcare.

Limited tickets are available. To book, click here.

Foodie adventures in Queensland: Sumptuous High Tea Soiree in the Park

Sumptuous High Tea Soiree in the Park: February 20

Nestled under a grand marquee in the picturesque Noosa Woods, this indulgent high tea experience will feature a delicious menu by Chef Ryan Fitzpatrick of The Ohana Group, accompanied by a range of cocktails, bubbles, organic teas and coffees and a few little touches to surprise and delight.

To book your spot, click here.

Autumn Fare, Noosa

Autumn Fare: March 11-14

The second in the series of seasonal Noosa Eat & Drink long weekends of foodie experiences, Autumn Fare is a collection of bespoke events that will showcase the area’s incredible restaurants, chefs, breweries, distilleries and producers. The program will feature long lunches, degustation dinners, sunset soirees, guest chefs, cooking classes, food and drink discovery tours and perfect picnic settings.

More details on Autumn Fare will be released in February.

Foodie adventures in Queensland: Noosa Eat & Drink Festival: June 11-14

Noosa Eat & Drink Festival: June 11-14

Spread over four mouth-watering days, the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival is an annual love affair of great food, drinks, live music and entertainment.

More details on the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival to be released in March.

For more on the Scenic Rim, including foodie events, go to visitscenicrim.com.au. For more on Noosa Eat & Drink, go to noosaeatdrink.com.au. For more on what to do in Queensland, go to the Queensland Tourism website.