Author: The Curated Plate
Keen to taste your way through Queensland’s leading food and drink festival but not quite sure where to begin?
With early-release tickets already sizzling for The Curated Plate, now’s the perfect time to lock in a winter sun escape built around flavour, fire and farm-to-fork feasts. The 10-day celebration spans more than 50 delicious events across the Sunshine Coast, and the first weekend offers a perfectly packaged taster for curious foodies.
Day One: Friday, July 25 – From Tarmac to Table
To make the most of the festival, make it a long weekend and land early on Friday. Direct flights into Sunshine Coast Airport from Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland make it a breeze to get here – or if you’re a local, or travelling up from Brisbane, a morning drive is a great way to head into your weekend.
Yandina Station, The Curated Plate
Kick things off at Yandina Station, a working cattle property turned rustic-luxe venue just 15 minutes inland from Coolum Beach. Under the soaring roof of a heritage barn, Festival Culinary Director Peter Kuruvita will fire up the opening festivities with a spectacular showcase of local produce and live cooking demonstrations. Think slow-roasted Mary Valley lamb, Mooloolaba reef fish, Maleny Buffalo cooked over a Wild Fire Pit, and roasted vegetables fresh from Falls Farm.
Sunshine Coast Ballooning, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
And dessert? It’s not just sweet – it’s sky-high. Guests will be treated to a post-lunch hot air balloon ride drifting over the hinterland, making for one of the most magical (and Instagrammable) festival openers in the country.
After lunch, check in to Breeze Mooloolaba, where stylish apartments come with sweeping ocean views and easy access to the beach, cafes and the vibrant Wharf Mooloolaba precinct. Leave the car parked – you won’t need it for dinner.
Breeze Mooloolaba Beach
Day Two: Saturday – Sea Air and Sushi Skills
Start your Saturday like a local: with a pre-breakfast swim or a walk along the beach to Point Cartwright. This scenic headland serves up panoramic views north to Mount Coolum and south to Kawana Beach – keep an eye out for passing humpback whales or turtles riding the waves.
Late morning, head to Maroochydore’s Ocean Street to witness a rare culinary spectacle. At SOKA, Head Chef Kenji will demonstrate the precision of traditional Japanese tuna cutting using a 35-kilogram yellowfin tuna sourced from MSC-certified Walker Seafoods. This isn’t just a show – you’ll follow it up with a tasting of sashimi and expertly crafted tuna dishes that elevate the day to bucket-list status.
Glaze and Graze at The Pottery Studio, The Curated Plate
Still hungry for a creative hit? Just a short drive away in Nambour, The Pottery Studio and Providore Privee present a unique “glaze and graze” event. Arrive to chef-cooked canapés around a roaring fire pit, sip your BYO wine or local craft beer, and try your hand at pottery glazing before sitting down to a three-course feast featuring more of the region’s finest seasonal ingredients.
Day Three: Sunday – Coffee, Culture and a Hinterland Feast
Glasshouse Plantation, Glass House Mountains
Sunday begins with caffeine – and a behind-the-scenes tour of Glasshouse Plantation, home to 5,000 flourishing Arabica trees. You’ll wander the rows of coffee cherries, meet passionate growers, and join a tasting session led by Roastery Door Manager Nick. This is 100% Australian-grown coffee – rich, aromatic, and utterly distinctive.
Before leaving, stock up on gourmet local goods: Hive Haven native honey, Arakai Estate teas, and choc-dipped pineapple from Pineapple Link make excellent souvenirs (or snacks for the drive home).
Hinterland Producers Lunch at The Long Apron, Montville
Next stop: the storybook town of Montville. Wander boutique-lined streets, soak up lake views, then settle in for the Hinterland Producers Lunch at Spicers Clovelly Estate. Chef Geoff Abel and the team at The Long Apron deliver a refined four-course menu inspired by French provincial cuisine and crafted entirely from Sunshine Coast ingredients. Dishes from Maleny Dairies, The Falls Farm and Peachester Fresh are paired with curated wines – a finale that’s both elegant and earthy.
One Last Night?
Spicers Clovelly Estate, Montville
Not quite ready to head home? Treat yourself to a night at Spicers Clovelly Estate or take a short 30-minute trip back to Sunshine Coast Airport. For Brisbanites, it’s a breezy 90-minute drive – enough time to digest the weekend’s highlights and start planning your next festival indulgence.
For more foodie inspiration, check out our page here.