The winter school holidays have arrived and if you are looking for family fun, there is plenty to discover in Noosa.
Family Fun:
Eumundi Drive-In – Pack the family in the car and head for the Eumundi Drive-In as Starry Nights Outdoor Movies and the Imperial Hotel Eumundi screen Labyrinth on Friday 3 July and Zoolander on Saturday 4 July. Bring a car picnic or pre-order from The Imperial Hotel Eumundi (ph 5442 8811), Sala Thai (ph 5442 8804) or Il Mio Posto (ph 5442 7026) in Eumundi, and pick it up on your way in. Gates open at 5pm, with the film screening at 6pm(ish). To guarantee a spot on the night, pre-book at ticketebo.com.au/starrynights – but get in fast as previous events have sold out. Cost is $25 per car. Eumundi Showgrounds, Black Stump Rd, off Memorial Drive
The Mary Valley Rattler’s Tasting Train on the RM76 Railmotor sets off on 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 July. The train leaves Gympie at 10am for a return trip to Amamoor through the Mary Valley countryside, with a fresh tasting plate onboard, then a grazing-style lunch and a drink back at the historic Gympie Station, cost $99. Additional bar service available. Bookings required as limited seating available. The first steam train rides are back on Saturday 11 July with a Superheroes theme. www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au
The Ginger Factory is at 50 Pioneer Rd, Yandina is free, and it’s open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm. There are rides, activities and tours (some incur fees) including Moreton the train, the Overboard boat ride, live bee shows and Buderim Ginger factory tours. Also explore the tropical gardens and the Ginger Shop, and refuel at the Ice Creamery and Ginger Café. See gingerfactory.com.au
Australia Zoo – is the ultimate wildlife adventure and is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Take a tour, immerse yourself in conservation in one of their shows or become a zookeeper for a day! www.australiazoo.com.au
Peregian Digital Hub
Fun workshops for creative ‘tech’ kids
Your kids and teens have a choice of fun, creative, technology workshops at the Hub such as: 3D design and printing (Fusion 360), 3D modeling for use in games (Blender), LEGO robotics (ZEST – girls only or Royal Robotics – mixed classes), AI Programming for Maths Whizzes, and Kids Entrepreneurship. Only a few tickets remain – so be quick to book. Program and tickets at www.peregianhub.com.au/learn/
Libraries
Noosa Libraries offer a range of exciting fun for kids at home during the holidays. Even if you have to stay at home, reading can take you on journeys near and far. Join hundreds of Queensland kids in the Reading Adventure Club from State Library of Queensland. It’s free to join; parents sign in with a valid email address; and kids can enjoy challenges and quizzes, share writing and art work, and blog with authors Ursula Dubosarsky and Cameron Stelzer. Gift vouchers to be won too! www.summerreadingclub.org.au/theclub/ For more information on a range of online activities, visit the Noosa Library Service website www.libraries.noosa.qld.gov.au/school-holiday-activities
Action Adventure:
Drop into Skydive Noosa’s dropzone – For the most adrenaline-filled way to see Noosa’s coastline, let Skydive Noosa take you to their Noosa Dropzone, open 7 days a week – they’ll jump out of a plane with you as you soar above the coast for amazing views, heading for one of the greatest beach landings in Australia. Ph 1300 815 245 or see www.skydive.com.au
Aerial acrobatics with Warplanes – save 10% – Warplanes is back for adventure flights in the Sunshine Coast’s clear winter skies in ex-RAAF World War II Wirraway and Trojan aircraft – they’re offering a 10% discount on regular prices, and they can now leave from either Gympie (Kybong) Airport or Caboolture Airport. Flights from Gympie Airport take you over the Noosa/Cooroy area and are perfect for aerial aerobatics on a sunny day over Noosa’s Main Beach in front of your friends and family. Ph 0401 493 999 or see www.warplanes.com.au
Get Back to Nature
Noosa Oceanrider offers a taste of Noosa from the water with their thrill rides and dolphin and whale safaris www.noosaoceanrider.com.au
Epic Ocean Adventures are operating their 4WD trips from Noosa for guided dolphin-view kayak tours, stand up paddle tours and learn to surf at Double Island Point. www.epicoceanadventures.com.au
Enjoy a horse ride on the beach at the Noosa North Shore with Equathon Horse Riding. www.equathon.com.au
Noosa Camel Rides start up again on 2 July – online bookings are open now. www.noosacamelrides.com.au
The Noosa Ferry’s day and sunset cruises are now operating again and provide a beautiful way to see the Noosa River. www.noosaferry.com.au
Have a relaxed game of golf at Noosa Hill Par 3 Golf Course. It’s a fun and affordable day out for the whole family, suitable for all ages and skill levels. The course is set on 74 acres of beautiful bushland, home to kangaroos and other native wildlife. Open 6am to 6pm, 7 days a week in Hollett Road, Noosaville. Golf equipment available for hire. Stay for a drink at the newly refurbished clubhouse. Ph 5449 1666 or see noosahills.com.au
Discover the Noosa Hinterland with Noosa Day Tours – Tours to Eumundi Markets and Mary Valley Rattler; Eumundi Markets and The Ginger Factory; Sunshine Coast hinterland; Noosa Country Drive tour; Hervey Bay whale watching; Sunset dinner cruise; Steam and Berries with a Rattler steam train journey and lunch at Cooloola Berries – or create your own tour. Ph 07 5313 6648 or noosadaytours.com.au
Fraser Island Explorer’s 1 and 2-day tours are operating again from Noosa. www.fraserexplorertours.com.au
Discover Noosa’s Artistic Side:
The Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre has three new exhibitions: A Day in a Life, hyper-realistic works of Lew Brennan; Echoed Rhythms, 3D art from Greg Kinman, Paula Bowie and Melissa McCullagh; and Physical Video – On Tour, a selection of video art from QAGOMA. The exhibitions continue until 4 August. The gallery is open 10am to 3pm from Tuesday to Sunday at 11a Maple Street, Cooroy. See facebook.com/butterfactoryartscentre/
The Noosa Regional Gallery is located on the Noosa River and features a retail show with unique artisan products from homewares, jewellery and accessories, to books, artworks and gift cards. www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au
For more information head to www.visitnoosa.com.au or visit the Noosa Inspiration Centre on Hastings Street.
