Prepare to dive into the creative flavours of the Sunshine Coast at The Curated Plate Festival, Queensland’s most esteemed food festival. Surrounded by lush hinterland scenery, this 10-day celebration of local food and beverages promises unforgettable experiences, from East Asian banquets to paddock-to-plate events, colourful cocktails and seafood delicacies. You’ll also find plenty of other attractions to enjoy in this coastal gem.
Experience The Curated Plate 2023
Bringing together the region’s passionate producers and innovative chefs, The Curated Plate Whether you’re a curious foodie or looking for a memorable getaway. Start by firing up the senses at the Meet the Sunshine Coast Makers. Curated by the talented chefs at Bottarga Restaurant and Market Bistroheld, this signature event showcases the bounty of local culinary innovation.
Prepare to be inspired by the Sunshine Coast’s best Yum Cha. This year, acclaimed local restaurant Honeysuckle skillfully brings together local seasonal produce to deliver a delicious banquet for the Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival. Or grab a picnic rug and settle in for the Paddock to Curated Plate event. This event offers interactive workshops and demos with some of the region’s leading makers.
Discover Mooloolaba’s best bars as you explore The Wharf precinct. This year MooloolaBars showcases a selection of local breweries and distilleries, alongside mouthwatering food and live. Discover signature cocktails, delicious craft beers and sample gin and rum tastings at meet-the-maker talks and food and drink pairings.
Enjoy the fruits of the sea straight from the source. The Trawler to Table scenic cruise from the Wharf precinct serves up the best of the fisheries and markets, from the famous Mooloolaba prawn to waterfront lunch at See Restaurant. You can also step back in time on the heritage-listed vessel ‘Spray of the Coral Coast’ and treat yourself to a relaxing, fine-dining experience brought to you by Saltwater Eco Tours.
Other fun activities in Mooloolaba
From things to do in Mooloolaba at night to beaches, surf and wildlife – Mooloolaba has plenty to offer no matter what you’re looking for. Enjoy the bars and restaurants along the nearby Esplanade, overlooking beautiful white-sand Mooloolaba Beach – one of the Top 10 South Pacific beaches in the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards.
You can also explore the surrounding waterways on a Mooloolaba Canal Cruise – you can also enjoy champagne and seafood on the trip. How about getting up close to Mooloolaba’s resident whales? You can even swim near these magnificent creatures on a Sunreef winter tour. You’ll also get to know the First Nations stories and history of the region by jumping aboard a Saltwater Eco Tours cruise.
Don’t miss Sunshine Coast’s only colony of Little Blue Penguins on a visit to SEA LIFE, situated at Mooloolaba Wharf. For an immersive experience, stroll through the aquarium’s 80m Ocean Tunnel and watch Grey Nurse Sharks gracefully swimming by. The Australian fur seals and sea lions are also popular residents – check out one of the aquarium’s great seal presentation shows.
There’s also plenty of free things to do in Mooloolaba for both families and couples. Visit the HMAS Brisbane Lookout in Alexandra Headland for sweeping ocean views – this is also where the HMAS Brisbane now lies as a scuba attraction. Nearby Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden offers a tranquil environment perfect for a picnic outing. Follow the walkway to family-friendly Chambers Island, an ideal picnic location home to a unique playground for kids.
Where to stay
Enjoy The Curated Plate Sunshine Coast style by staying close to shopping and dining attractions at the stylish Breeze Mooloolaba. You’ll also be close to the ocean – head to Port Cartwright Lighthouse for spectacular views of the surrounding region.
