ATTRACTIONS

Gympie’s heritage MARY VALLEY RATTLER steam train has launched new wedding packages, providing a unique experience that guarantees couples start their new life together on the right track. Couples can choose their preferred train and carriages, many dating back more than 100 years, and all packages include a range of options for ceremonies and receptions, with styling, venue decoration, meals, refreshments and a wedding co-ordinator to ensure a memorable day. The Mary Valley Rattler will take the wedding party through the picturesque Mary Valley to the beautiful rural villages of Amamoor and Dagun, with drinks served onboard the 50-minute journey. Wedding ceremonies can be arranged at the historic Gympie, Amamoor or Dagun stations. Packages are also available for engagement parties, bridal showers, high teas and engagement photoshoots. maryvalleyrattler.com.au

NOOSA MARINA has been a popular destination for more than 30 years. It is a favourite dining location for locals, with a variety of restaurants on off er from modern Australian and a la carte, to Italian or family favourite fish and chips. There is always something new to see with a variety of fashion shops and hairdressers, plus a day spa on off er. Noosa Marina is also a departure point for many river cruises or do it your own way with a barbecue pontoon or hire boat. Sundays are a fanfare of colour and entertainment with the regular markets and live music. Why not arrive relaxed, by ferry, enjoy breakfast or lunch, or perhaps top the day off with an exquisite dinner with a view straight up the Noosa River. noosamarina.com.au

The iconic Ginger Factory off ers plenty of fascinating tours, activities and fun rides, a variety of retail shops and a cafe surrounded by beautiful sub-tropical gardens. Kids can escape into a world of wonder on the Overboard Boat Ride or create their own garden adventure with the help of the much-loved Gruff alo Trail. Learn about Yandina’s early settlers with a fun and educational ride around the property on the famous 120-year-old ginger train, Moreton. Take a tour through the factory and find out how Buderim Ginger has been creating the world’s finest ginger for more than 80 years. If the kids start getting hungry, it’s time to enjoy a delicious lunch at The Ginger Cafe. Purchase a DIY gingerbread kit from the ice creamery and watch your kids’ imagination run wild. With so much to see and do, it’s time to explore all that’s on off er at The Ginger Factory. gingerfactory.com.au

Explore Noosa from a diff erent angle as you float along the crystal waters of Noosa River. The NOOSA FERRY cruises along the picturesque river, off ering you the opportunity to explore this vibrant town by water. Cruise along the Noosa foreshore in the classic-style custom-made vessels complete with open-air top deck for the perfect boating experience. Bring your family and grab a day pass, which allows you to jump on and off all day from Noosa’s famous main beach (Sofitel Jetty) with stops dotted along Noosaville’s Gympie Terrace and down to the Noosa Marina harbour. Private charters are available for weddings, events and parties for a unique waterfront experience. The daily sunset cruise is also a fantastic option to experience Noosa’s golden hour in all her glory. noosaferry.com

The Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Eumundi has been the superb location for the award-winning Wednesday and Saturday morning markets since the early 1980s. EUMUNDI MARKETS are at the heart of the vibrant town, which consists of a picturesque street with two hotels, school of arts, museum, a park, various shops and alfresco cafes. Rain or shine, Eumundi hosts splendid markets of buskers, street food, fashion, face painters, traders, masseurs and artisans arriving from outlying districts for a festival atmosphere. Eumundi continues to promote opportunity for micro business development at Eumundi Square, where more permanent traders open market days and Friday mornings. Eumundi is a 1.5-hour drive north of Brisbane and one-kilometre to the Bruce Highway, or 15 minutes inland from Noosa Heads. iloveeumundimarkets.com Looking to escape the cold these school holidays? TEWANTIN NOOSA RSL has lots happening to keep everyone in the family entertained. As we come into the next school holidays, the club has a free jungle-themed holiday program on off er, with three events during the holidays. Children will have a chance to boogie with their parents at the parents and kids disco on June 25 from 4.30 to 6.30pm. Larrikin Puppets will be performing an energising show on June 29, with the amazing Snake Boss, Julia Baker from Animal Planet, in the club on July 7 with a reptile show sure to keep everyone glued to their seats. Bookings via 5447 1766. noosarsl.com.au

Under new ownership, FAIRHILL NATIVE BOTANIC GARDENS invites you on its mission to restore Queensland’s original native botanic gardens. Fairhill is 21 acres of gardens and nursery in a magical setting in Ninderry, just a five-minute drive from Yandina. For gardeners, the nursery off ers the most diverse selection of natives that flourish in south-east Queensland, attracting wildlife like the brown honeyeater (pictured) on a eucalyptus phoenicia. Pop-up cafe Botanist and Baker serves fresh Padre Coff ee and Ten Acres pastries and sausage rolls from Wednesday to Sunday from 8am to 4pm. Enjoy a coff ee and stroll through the gardens under the winter sun. fairhill.com.au

Bluey is heading to NOOSA CIVIC on June 29 and 30. Come and meet everyone’s favourite Heeler in person for smiles and photos at this free, ticketed event. The following week join Noosa Civic to celebrate NAIDOC week in-centre with storytelling and interactive dance sessions for the kids on July 5, 6 and 9, as well as a live painting session by local artist Ryhia Dank on July 8, plus competitions and lots more. Noosa Civic is the premium shopping destination on the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, less than 10 minutes from Noosa’s famous Hastings Street. noosacivic.com.au

Wildlife HQ is home to native and exotic animals from around the world, located at the iconic Big Pineapple in Woombye. A WILDLIFE HQ favourite is the up-close animal encounter. Visitors can also enjoy an immersive dining experience with critically endangered cotton-top tamarins housed in an exhibit right next to you. The new cafe and undercover eating facilities serve fresh sandwiches, burgers, vegetarian options, fruit salads, barista-coff ee and slushies, plus daily specials across a breakfast and lunch menu. Wildlife HQ is open every day, except Christmas. whqzoo.com

Since it opened, PEREGIAN BEACH HOTEL has challenged the idea that pub food is secondary to the beer. The menu is brimming with tasty dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. Tuck into burgers, chicken parmigiana (of course), wood-fired pizzas or beerbattered fish and chips. Our recommendation is to pair your meal with a refreshing cocktail. peregianbeachhotel.com.au

PHOTO: Anastasia Kariofyllidis

Join SALTWATER ECO TOURS onboard a beautifully restored 113-year-old timber sailing vessel, cruising Mooloolah River. Immerse yourself in an authentic, cultural experience led by a Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi traditional custodian. Get in quick for the popular sunset tours with live music, featuring an ever-growing line-up of local and touring musicians, or book the boat for your up-coming event. Saltwater Eco Tours specialises in corporate functions, intimate weddings, birthdays and more. saltwaterecotours.com.au

You can now zipline through Sunshine Plaza on Australia’s highest ropes course, NEXT LEVEL. The course has more than a kilometre of zip lines, the longest of which spans 135 metres, and runs above Cornmeal Creek and through the centre. There are seven circuits across four levels of diff iculty, including 145 aerial obstacles. You can also access a 22-metre-high viewing platform that off ers fantastic 360-degree views of the Coast, which can be done as a separate activity to the high ropes. Next Level tickets start at $25 for six to 17 years old, $35 for 18 years plus and $5 for the viewing platform. nextlevelpark.com.au

Noosa is the home of luxury and heads turned when Medusa, a classic Riviera with all her beauty, arrived bringing the first bespoke cruise to the region. Long-time local Wally Boor has taken his Trip Advisor five-star tour, Fish Noosa, to a new level with Medusa, off ering luxury charters in cruising, fishing, marine tours and romantic overnight stays. His new venture, NOOSA BESPOKE CHARTERS, can design any tour to suit. The crew has more than 30 years’ charter experience on Noosa waterways and is professional and discreet. Medusa can accommodate up to 10 passengers with a fully air-conditioned cabin, comfortable lounge, full bathroom including shower, bedroom and galley inside, as well as comfortable bean bag lounges and a shaded deck outside. Medusa is an experience you will never forget. noosabespokecharters.com.au

While PERIWINKLE RESTAURANT is the perfect spot to relax and watch the world go by, the Peregian Beach staple also off ers takeaway. So if you don’t feel like cooking, this is the restaurant to stop by and get a meal before heading home, or to the beach, or the park. What to order? Here at salt we are partial to the crab souff le, though the spanner crab and seafood linguine is also pretty special. Don’t forget dessert. Chef Frank does a mean crepe suzette and creme brulee. periwinklerestaurant.com.au

MALENY CHEESE produces award-winning, lovingly handcraft ed cheese and yoghurt, and off ers visitors an authentic paddock-to-plate experience from its licensed cafe and shop. Enjoy quality food, a range of regional treats and condiments and other local delights as part of the seasonally inspired menu or pick up something delicious to take home. The cafe overlooks the working dairy factory that uses pure, locally sourced whole milk from the Maleny Cheese farm and several other dairy farms. By supporting this business, you help support the region’s many local farmers. Maleny Cheese Cafe is open daily from 10am to 3pm with the cafe menu operating Wednesday to Sunday. malenycheese.com.au

If you are a tea lover, you can’t go past TIELKA, Australia’s most awarded organic tea brand. One sip of Tielka and you will be whisked away to your own moment of pure indulgence. Tielka is a champion of all things sustainable and ethical, with fine ingredients sourced from Australia and around the world. In the blends, you’ll see Queensland-grown lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepperberries or lavender grown in Victoria. Delightfully packaged, even the Tielka tea bags are craft ed from luxurious, plant-based fabric. tielka.com

THE STEAMED BUN COMPANY is dedicated to off ering an innovative taste experience. The locally owned company combines quality Australian ingredients with authentic Asian techniques to produce the best steamed buns you’ve ever tasted, all handmade in Noosa. The Steamed Bun Company’s dough is unique, and the team aims to use the best in fresh local produce for the bun fillings. At The Steamed Bun Company, simplicity is key, and all products are ready to eat. Visit the shop on Arcadia Street in Noosa Junction for hot takeaway or to purchase a fresh cook-at-home pack. thesteamedbunco.com

FLYING WEST COFFEE ROASTERS is an open-plan, industrial-style cafe and specialty coff ee roastery located at Doonan, in the Noosa hinterland. Flying West off ers a range of wholesome food, from cooked breakfast and lunch to delicious cakes and slices. Enjoy the variety of coff ee off erings, including single-origin and coff ee blends, as well as organic teas and yummy smoothies – there is something for everyone. You can also find Flying West’s delicious coff ee at Noosa Farmers Market, Yandina Country Markets and Eumundi Markets. flyingwest.com.au

Enjoy a visit to a unique tea bar for not just a cup of tea, but also a tea experience. ARTEA THE TEA MERCHANT serves organic loose leaf tea blends in beautiful downtown Caloundra. Founded by a local tea enthusiast in 2018, now the business has a dedicated tea bar where you can enjoy the entire range, served hot and cold, as well as speciality tea drinks and, of course, teas to take home. All the award-winning small-batch blends are hand curated locally from ethically sourced and 100 per cent natural ingredients. theteamerchant.com.au

PINOT AND PICASSO is Australia’s number-one paint and sip experience and is now open on the Sunshine Coast. Guests can take on some of the basic techniques of painting on canvas in a hassle-free, approachable and collaborative setting in the new Noosaville studio. Enjoy a night of bring-your-own wine and painting as expert Pinot and Picasso hosts deliver each session with comprehensive step-by-step instructions with plenty of room left for your inner-Picasso to run wild. By the end of the night, even “non-creatives” will be taking home their very own Picasso. pinotandpicasso.com.au/noosa