Here at the G&G, we’ll get involved in anything that involves a fork. But a new Sunshine Coast experience has taken our love of farm to fork to the next level, offering foodies a ticket to go behind the scenes with the region’s thriving local producers from private farms to coffee roasters and breweries!
Josh Donohoe, a self-proclaimed passionate foodie, beer fiend and the brains behind Creative Tours and Events, worked with Maleny’s Brouhaha Brewery to create the Farm to Fork Tour. Its mission? To tell the story of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s community, collaboration, and most of all, its fresh produce.
Proving the Sunshine Coast is more than its coastline, food tourism here is alive and waiting to be uncovered.
Stop 1: Sunshine Coast Coffee Roastery
Josh knows that the day doesn’t begin without a good coffee (or three) so stop one on the magic foodbus is just outside Mooloolaba at the HQ of local coffee champs Sunshine Coast Coffee Roastery.
Roasting since 2002, the team here provides beans to cafes from the Gold Coast to Cairns – and they’re ready to give visitors insight into the industry, a demonstration of the roasting process, and a freshly brewed espresso while you tour.
This small batch roaster always has something new, interesting and ethically sourced to try – from rich, velvety blends to a Nensebo Ethiopian single origin. Happily caffeinated, it’s time to hit the road.
Stop 2: The Falls Farm
Creating the palate for the region’s best restaurants is The Falls Farm. Set in the bucolic hills of Mapleton, the home-grown team provide Brisbane’s leading restaurants with hyper-seasonal produce, from the farm straight to the chef. If you’ve eaten at Gerard’s Bistro, Restaurant Dan Arnold or Three Blue Ducks, you’ve sampled the best of Falls Farm.
This private farm tour is as hands-on as it gets. Pick and taste the fruit, herbs and even hops as you wander. Haven’t heard of Buddha’s hand citrus, cranberry hibiscus or cucamelon? You have now. And you’ve now tasted it too.
Stop 3: Maleny Wagyu
We’ve got no beef with Maleny Wagyu, which – fun fact – was originally planned to be an avocado farm. Step into Ken Coey’s home and farm to hear how he raises healthy cattle to supply to local Brouhaha Brewery.
Paddock to plate comes full circle here. Ken sources spent grain from the brewery four times per week to feed the animals, and when the time comes, the brewery’s chefs create a nose-to-tail menu using the wagyu.
The highlight of this stop is a visit to the paddock to meet these gentle giants (could cow selfies be the next quokka selfie?).
Stop 4: Lunch degustation at Brouhaha Brewery
Feast on the spoils of this very delicious tour with a decadent long lunch at Brouhaha over four courses matched with beers, featuring produce from The Falls Farm and Maleny Wagyu.
More than a brewery, fresh local produce takes centre stage at Brouhaha with the team dedicated to proving how beautifully beer and food pairs together. Head chef, James, and head brewer, Matt, share local stories behind the food and beer – and why seasonality and sustainability are more than just buzzwords.
The menu is ever-changing, but expect to chow down on the likes of eggplant bhajis matched with NZ pale ale, Maleny lager and Applewood Gin-cured salmon with raspberry saison, and roasted Maleny Wagyu beef and a milk stout. End things on a sweet note with house-made petit fours with the best-selling strawberry rhubarb sour, before heading back to Mooloolaba to end the day.
Whether you’re a Sunny Coast local looking to explore your own backyard, or a Brisbanite escaping for a weekend – jump onboard – you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, you’ll linger over beers with new friends.
Put a fork in us, we’re done.
