Buderim and Eumundi
East of the range you’ll find mountain retreats, historic farming townships and charming markets
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 St or Buderim Forest Park in Quorn Close, where cool mountain waterholes and flowing falls are within easy reach. Look for the Edna Walling Memorial Garden, a tribute to this influential Australian gardener.
Nambour
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.
Yandina
The historic township of Yandina, just north of Nambour, offers the visitor an exciting range of old and new features. 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. Saturday’s markets offer freshly farmed delights, collectables and local characters. The famous Ginger Factory is the world’s largest ginger-processing plant. Here you can sample some ginger delights aboard the Ginger Taste Sensations Tour. Then walk across the road to NutWorks to discover how macadamia nuts are processed. The Yandina area boasts magnificent gardens and nurseries, including the renowned Fairhill Native Plant Nursery and Botanic Gardens.
Kiels Mountain
Nestled between Maroochydore and Nambour lies Kiels Mountain. This cool bush mountain retreat is hidden from the main tracks of the Sunshine Coast and is now home to emerging artists and a boutique day spa modelled on the hanging gardens of Babylon.
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. 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.
for more
information contact:
Montville Visitor Information Centre
Main Street, Montville
P (07) 5478 5544
E admin@maroochytourism.com
W www.maroochytourism.com
