Your next food and wine escape from Brisbane

Pack an overnight bag and jump in the car. It’s time to head off for a weekend road trip to Kingaroy and the South Burnett to check out the food and wine scene this region has to offer.

A burgeoning locavore movement means produce is often local, organic and super fresh. And you’ll find a few surprises too!

Here are 8 foodie stops to add to your itinerary.

Stop 1

Kai Lounge - Moore

One-and-a-half hours drive from Brisbane, the tiny town of Moore seems an unlikely spot to find excellent coffee, but the lime-green Kai Lounge is your must-stop caffeination station. A bicycle with succulent-laden wheels greets you at the entrance and sets the tone for the eclectic retro vibe inside, but it’s the coffee that’s the attraction here.

Ex-Melbournite Ally brought her extensive hospitality experience to Moore ten years ago, after months of looking for the prefect spot to open her unique business. She exclusively serves Yowie coffee beans from neighbouring Kilcoy, freshly roasted every week, and homemade cakes and slices, just like mum used to make.

While you’re there: A stay at Montrose on Moore B&B just up the road means you can see Kai Lounge by night when it transforms into a funky, dimly lit bar with live music on the deck most weekends.

Stop 2

Blackbutt Bakery

Pull up at the busy Blackbutt Bakery for one of their famous pies. If the Big Mack Pie doesn’t grab you – two all-beef patties, special sauce, cheese, onions, pickles in a sesame seed pie – try a Roo Ragu (kangaroo fillet in shiraz gravy), Jack’s Ribs (pork spare ribs in a Jack Daniel’s-infused sauce) or a more traditional lamb and rosemary pie.

These guys are masters of new flavour combos so check out the dessert cabinet before you head off. Old favourites sit side by side with goodies like decadent cappuccino and French Vanilla Golden Gaytime slice!

While you’re there: Wander through the Roy Emerson Museum, a slice of Australian sporting history celebrating the tennis legend.

Stop 3

The Maidenwell Trading Post

Take the turn-off at Yarraman and head up to Maidenwell. The Trading Post is home to The Sauce Man offering a range of 230 products from fruit cordials, jams and preserves to off-the-scale chilli sauces.

Try their bacon jam - a surprise hit made especially for Kingaroy’s bacon festival in August – with soft cheese on a cracker, or maybe their caramel banana jam on toast for brekkie. And pick up some creamy black garlic before you go.

While you’re there: Coomba Falls waterhole is a short drive from Maidenwell and is a pretty spot for a picnic and photos.

Stop 4

Shackleton’s Whisky Bar

There’s a reward at the end of the winding, tree-lined road to Dandabah at the Bunya Mountains. Sure, you can get a great coffee and a meal up here, but Shackleton’s Whisky Bar is the place to be, especially in cooler months.

Order a tasting board from the 116 whiskies available and cosy up in front of the indoor or outdoor fireplaces.

While you’re there: For a DIY digital detox, turn off the tech, go walking in this sub-tropical rainforest and stay overnight in one of the cute cottages set amongst bunya pines and friendly wallabies.

Stop 5

Kingsley Grove Estate

Heading toward Kingaroy, pop into Kingsley Grove for Queensland-style wines and wood-fired pizza. The growing trend for Queensland wineries to produce wine best suited to the climate and conditions of the region is seeing a surge in Mediterranean styles, often lighter and younger wines. Think tempranillo, sangiovese, verdelho or viognier – classic Italian and French styles.

Just don’t leave without trying their wine ice-cream, made in partnership with Brisbane’s Lick! Ice Cream with flavours like Fat Fox Port with Dark Chocolate or Verdelho and Lemon Sorbet.

While you’re there: Caravanners can camp onsite among the vines or stay down the road at the beautiful heritage-listed Taabinga Station homestay.

Stop 6

The Peanut Van, Kingaroy

Peanuts have been grown around Kingaroy for over 100 years, its fertile red volcanic soil perfect for the crop, which was first planted by Chinese settlers for their own use.

Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2019, the iconic Peanut Van is offering 12 new flavours this year. Taste-test them along with old favourites like honey ginger, maple bacon or angry taco.

We think they should come with a warning: Danger! Addictive products for sale. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

While you’re there: Grab a map from the Visitor Information Centre and head to Mt Wooroolin lookout for some amazing views or borrow a bike and cycle the rail trail.

Stop 7

Prendergast’s Irish Tavern

Local produce and hearty Irish dishes feature on the menu at this tavern, part of the rustic Dusty Hill Winery village in the Moffatdale area.

Their homemade bacon-topped pork and apple sausages with mash and gravy will set you up for an afternoon tipple with friends on the verandah, watching ducks waddle across the lawns to a serene pond.

While you’re there: Designate a driver (scissors, paper, rock anyone?) and follow the compact Moffatdale wine trail for tastings and rolling views.

Stop 8

The Goomeri Bakery

This pretty little town boasts its very own French patisserie-style bakery, after their baker spent three months in France learning the tips and tricks of the perfect pastries and bread. Popular choices are flaky, buttery croissants and the chocolate pear danish. You can buy fresh sour dough loaves and pies and savoury slices as well.

On weekends it’s a popular spot for cyclists and day-trippers, so get there early to find a seat in the outdoor courtyard next to the shop.

While You’re there: Kinbombi Falls are a 10-minute drive from Goomeri and easily accessible. Natural rock pools are surrounded by steep stone walls – great for a dip in the summer months.