From farmgate tours to factory tastings and café-restaurant cuisine, you’ll be able to sample some of the best of what Queensland's Sunshine Pantry has to offer... all while learning from some of the leading growers, makers and brewers in Australia! Here, we've rounded up some of the best farm-to-fork experiences to make sure you experience the best of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Hinterland Farm-to-Fork Tour
Farm to Fork Tour with Creative Tours, Sunshine Coast
Great for: couples and groups chasing an immersive local food experience
Strap in for an epic day out with award-winning Creative Tours’ Hinterland Farm to Fork experience. The tour begins with life’s finest nectar, coffee, where you’ll get behind-the-scenes insights into the complexities of coffee making. Having worked up a healthy appetite at two farm tours, your day only gets better with a stop-off at Brouhaha Maleny. You'll later wrap things up by enjoying a beautiful view of the Glass House Mountains.
Warrior Restaurant & Bar
Great for: relaxed dining near Australia Zoo
Warrior Restaurant & Bar at Crocodile Hunter Lodge, Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Surrounded by beautiful bushland and located at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, just up the road from Australia Zoo, Warrior Restaurant & Bar is a must-visit for a special dining experience. Kick things off with one of their signature cocktails before tucking into a seasonal feast that celebrates modern Australian cuisine. Make sure you check out the menu to discover how the Sunshine Coast’s local food producers have influenced the meals, as well as some special connections to Australia Zoo (like chillis collected from the Elephantasia habitat!).
Glasshouse Plantation
Great for: coffee lovers
Glasshouse Plantation Glass House Mountains. Credit Tourism & Events Queensland
Coffee done well is the name of the game at Glasshouse Plantation in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. This spectacular property is home to thousands of Arabica coffee trees which you can catch a glimpse of as you get your caffeine fix on the deck of the café. Here, you can expect to enjoy a great cup of coffee and load up on goodies at the Farm Shop. Our suggestion? Dial things up a notch and take a Farm Tour, or book yourself a coffee tasting.
Mapleton Public House
Great for: fans of elevated pub fare that celebrates paddock-to-plate dining
Mapleton Public House, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
As you drive along the picturesque range of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and take in the beautiful sweeping views, you'll come across Mapleton Public House. Mouthwatering local produce direct from their farm, The Falls Farm, is the basis for their incredible seasonal menu. Our top tip? Make sure you follow them on social media for updates about when you can expect to see some fabulous live music performances. Keep in mind that on Mondays and Tuesdays, only the Bar Menu is on offer.
ēthos (at Alsahwa Estate)
Great for: a relaxing meal with garden views
ēthos at Alsahwa Estate, Palmwoods, Sunshine Coast
From the moment you stroll through the lush gardens at Alsahwa Estate in Palmwoods, you know you’ll be in for a treat. The onsite restaurant, ēthos, boasts a mouthwatering menu of Mediterranean-inspired fare that celebrates local produce. Think farm harvest vegetables, Burrata caprese and free-range chicken breast with zucchini and green garlic macadamia pesto. We’ll see you there.
Flame Hill Vineyard
Great for: couples looking for sips with a view
Flame Hill Vineyard, Montville, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Arriving at Flame Hill Vineyard is a feast for the eyes with its vine-covered hills and gardens beckoning you to take your time and stay for a while. With its well-stocked veggie garden and emphasis on locally sourced produce, the team at Flame Hill are determined to take you on a heart-warming culinary experience with flavour to the max. Paired with their whites and reds, it’s mission complete. Prepare to indulge.
The Tamarind and The Long Apron
Great for: elevated modern dining done well
The Tamarind, Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny
With local ingredients helping shape the menus of The Tamarind and The Long Apron, you'll want to save time to visit both on your Hinterland trip. A meal at The Tamarind will take you on a culinary journey of modern Asian delights that you and your friends will be raving about for years, while The Long Apron serves up refined French cuisine in a picturesque country setting.
Dairy hotspots
Great for: easy (and delicious) stop-offs on your Hinterland travels
Kenilworth Dairies, Kenilworth
Getting to Kenilworth Dairies is almost as delightful as the dairy itself. With winding roads through green undulating pastures, sweeping bends and massive gumtrees at almost every turn, this is a quintessential Hinterland tourist drive. Take your time sampling handcrafted cheeses from traditional recipes, plus yoghurts and mousses. Udderly sensational!
QCamel, Bells Creek, Sunshine Coast
Fancy a cuddle... from a camel? If you’re chasing a unique paddock-to-plate encounter, look no further than QCamel Dairy in Bells Creek (just a 20-minute-drive from Caloundra). This spot is a haven of certified organic camel milk deliciousness, producing everything from feta to camel milk skincare. Book a spot on one of their ‘Camel Cuddle Farm Tours’, held every Saturday morning, for a chance to say g’day to the camels and learn more about the production process. You’ll also be in the box seat for some epic views of the Glass House Mountains.
Maleny Cheese is another must-stop spot to sample award-winning cheeses. Take your picnic to the next level of greatness with a beautiful triple cream brie or stock up with a selection of club cheddars for a cheese platter at home. With a massive range of cheeses and yoghurts, all made from local happy hinterland cow milk, your tastebuds will thank you for dropping by!
Next up, discover more Sunshine Coast food inspiration here.
By Visit Sunshine Coast
Published 14 days ago
