Buderim
Buderim is perched on a plateau overlooking Mooloolaba and offers a range of accommodation, specialising in B&Bs. There are excellent views to the sparkling Pacific Ocean from the Buderim Lions Club Lookout Reserve, and White’s Lookout gives glimpses of the sea. A reminder of the early farming days on the mountain – and well worth a visit – is the National Trust-listed Pioneer Cottage in Ballinger Crescent, dating from about 1875. For a relaxing walk through some of the rainforest that once clothed the mountain, visit the Foote Sanctuary off Park Street or Buderim Forest Park in Quorn Close, which has cool mountain waterholes and flowing falls — and look for the Edna Walling Memorial Garden, a tribute to this influential Australian gardener.
Nambour and Yandina
Set among pineapple, avocado, macadamia and lychee farms in the foothills of the Blackall Range is Nambour, the commercial hub of the area. Every service that a traveller could need is available in this thriving centre.
The historic township of Yandina, just north of Nambour, offers the visitor an exciting range of old and new attractions. Keep an eye out for bargains in antiques, colonial furnishings and collectables as you explore the fine examples of early Queensland architecture along its main street. The Saturday markets offer freshly farmed delights, collectables and the chance to meet local characters. But be sure not to miss the famous Ginger Factory, the world’s largest ginger processing plant, where you can sample some ginger delights on the Ginger Taste Sensations Tour. Then walk across the road to NutWorks to discover how macadamia nuts are processed.
The Yandina area also boasts magnificent gardens and nurseries, including the renowned Fairhill Native Plant Nursery and Botanic Gardens. Yandina is also home to the award winning restaurant and cooking school – Spirit House.
Kiels Mountain
This cool mountain retreat between Maroochydore and Nambour offers a bushland setting and seclusion from the bustle of the Sunshine Coast. It is home to emerging artists and a boutique day spa modelled on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. As well as a cooking school offering French, Italian and Chocolate cooking classes.
Eumundi
Eumundi nestles into a green hillside just off the Bruce Highway between Nambour and Gympie. To tempt the traveller, the town has shady parks, avenues of trees, picturesque pubs, a historical museum, art galleries, craft studios, cafés and curiosity shops. But it is the Eumundi Markets that draw people from far and wide on a Wednesday and Saturday, There you will find artists, musicians, actors, craftspeople, designers and farmers displaying and selling the products of their creative endeavours. Up at the crack of dawn and down from the hill country they come to set up their stalls for the thousands of browsers and buyers who will descend on the town. Fragrant oils and spicy curries scent the morning air as early arrivers look for ‘first pick’ of the fresh fruit and vegetables. In the afternoon the town begins to revert to its quieter, more normal self. But whether you visit on a market or a non-market day, you can’t fail to be charmed by Eumundi’s easy-going lifestyle.
