48 hours in Mary Valley: the Sunshine Coast's best-kept secret

If you’re travelling from Brisbane, hit the road early and make Kenilworth your first stop en route to Mary Valley. The baking masterminds at Kenilworth Country Bakery have made headlines with latte-filled Nutella doughnuts and divine 1kg food-challenge monstrosities, but even if you’re not up for the competition, do yourself a favour and drop in. Whether your tastes swing sweet or savoury; there are treats to be devoured.

Round it out with a visit to Kenilworth Dairies, one of the best ways to experience the region’s gastronomy. Pick up award-winning local cheese (the sharp Malling Red Vintage uses the same recipe since the 1920s), dessert and a few more small goods for your picnic basket.

11am: Hit the country roads

Your journey is only beginning once you reach Imbil, just 20 minutes’ drive north of Kenilworth.

Point your wheels to the Mary Valley Scenic Drive, and you’ll be rewarded with a landscape patch-worked with grazing cattle, macadamia farms, pineapple plantations rainforests and endless rolling hills.

It’s just 15km of driving to Borumba Dam, but you’re in the country now, so think of it as an amble and leave room to stop at the scenic outlooks along the way. Once you reach the dam, put those picnic supplies you got in Kenilworth to good use then explore a little of the 480 hectares of waterways and recreation space with a swim or stroll.

2pm: Meet the towns of Mary Valley

Be greeted with unapologetic country charm at every turn on the return drive through the Mary Valley. Today’s the perfect opportunity to stop and discover the quaint heritage villages of Imbil, Kandanga and Amamoor as you travel.

If time permits, continue on to Gympie’s Gold Mining and Historical Museum. It’s guaranteed to please curious modern gold-diggers, or those keen to delve into the history books of ‘the town that saved Queensland from bankruptcy’ via a vast collection of artefacts, photographs and relics dating back to 1867.

But if your pace is matching the countryside by the time you make it to Amamoor, head for where you’ll rest your head tonight instead.

5pm: Check into your country retreat

Welcome to Amamoor Lodge, your home away from home during this 48 hours in Mary Valley. This quiet, boutique accommodation offers country hospitality at its finest. Settling into the rolling green hills and peaceful song of native birds really does soothe the soul.

Take a swim in the lagoon-style pool, stroll through the rainforest, and watch the sky come alive with stars as night falls. Book ahead to have dinner catered by the Amamoor team: here, they embrace the slow food movement and you’ll get to know Mary Valley on another level through local flavours and produce.  

But if you’d prefer to pitch your own tent over sinking into a king bed, nearby Amamoor State Forest has two campgrounds that’ll make you feel off-the-grid in the best way possible. It’s pet-friendly too.  

Day 2

10am: Ride on the steam train

This is country living at its best; slow your roll out of bed this morning. You're exactly where you need to be. 

Once it's time to start your day, swap the car for a different mode of transportation and rediscover the magic of a bygone era aboard the historic Mary Valley Rattler. The Rattler's 46 kilometre scenic round trip starts at Gympie and after crossing over the Mary River, chugs its way rhythmically around an abundance of curves, across bridges and numerous gentle hills. Whether you board the All Stations Route (Sundays), the Classic Rattler Run (Wednesday & Saturday) or the Rattler Tasting Train (Thursdays) where you’ll snack on a local spread of cheese, sourdough and other delights; the scenery will fascinate.  

2pm: Meet the makers of Mary Valley

After your train ride back into history, it’s time to meet the current-day creators, artists and growers that make up the spirited, vibrant communities of Mary Valley.

Cooran might just be Mary Valley’s creative hub, and you can feel it. Home to the Tall Trees Art community, it’s the kind of place you’ll pinch yourself while fossicking among rare and original art, vintage collectibles, artisan bread and cold-pressed raw organic rainforest honey so natural it’s the closest experience to how bees themselves taste it. 

But there’s one more heritage-listed building you’ll want to stumble upon while you’re in town. What once was Alfredson’s Joinery and Sawmill, is now Noosa Hinterland Brewing Co: a rustic brewery and beer garden. Owner and brewer Matt Vanderveen’s ethos is ‘grain to glass’, using ingredients like local ginger, honey and green tea to produce his complex hop-driven brews, all made onsite. Stop by when the brewery is open to the public, Thursday - Sunday from 12pm.

Dagun Growers Market are held every Saturday afternoon from 3pm til dusk at the Dagun Heritage Railway Station. Here you’ll find farm-to-gate produce (sourced within a 70 kilometre radius), and all things handbaked and handmade. 

With several villages and townships sprinkled through the Mary Valley, you'd be forgiven for wanting to explore them all. Either side of Cooran (just minutes away) you'll find the charming small towns of Pomona and Kin Kin with even more weekend markets, local produce, distilleries and unique arts and crafts to discover. 

Day 3

6am: Paddle with platypus 

Your final morning of 48 hours in Mary Valley begins at dawn, for a serene kayak adventure with Ride on Mary. The river winds through patches of rainforest, eucalypt forest and open farm land, and a dawn kayak is your best chance to see the elusive platypus as the sun breaks through the early morning mist, revealing the hills and mountains of the Mary Valley. Spot colourful kingfishers and other wildlife along the way.

10am: Lace up your boots 

Just over the hills is Amamoor State Forest. Stretch your legs on the walking trails and try to spot as many of the 120 bird species that call this forest home. If you didn’t see a platypus on your kayak tour, try again by taking the 300m Platypus Walk to a viewing platform over Amamoor Creek. The short but scenic Amama Walk or Rainforest Walk from Cedar Grove campground are also worth doing; wander through sub-tropical rainforest under a canopy of red cedars, figs and palm groves. There’s a great swimming hole at the end for a tranquil dip and soak in the country air before your journey home.

12pm: Fill up on country flavours before you leave

This morning’s adventures have worked up an appetite, so cure it how they do in the country: with a hearty feast. 

Kandanga Farm Store is the perfect finale to 48 hours in Mary Valley, open Tuesday - Saturday for coffee, cakes and homemade bites, all featuring local produce and goods from Sunshine Coast Hinterland businesses. Check out the farm store's events calendar before you visit, as it may coincide with one of their acclaimed long lunches, New Moon dinners or workshops. 

Refreshed with a good dose of wholesome country fare and fresh country air, it's time to head home - but now you can put these unexpected experiences on your radar for the next time nature calls you back to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.