ATTRACTIONS & DAY TRIPS AROUND BUDERIM

AUSTRALIA ZOO
Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah
Open 7 Days

UNDERWATER WORLD
The Wharf Parkyn Pde Mooloolaba
Open 7 Days

GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS

Absorb the panoramic views from the Glasshouse Mountains. From Buderim head south & take the Landsborough exit off the Bruce Highway & follow the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Route, past Australia Zoo. There are signs all the way to the lookout. The first time you see these mountains they will take your breath away.
They also look stunning from the Wildhorse Mountain lookout about 20km south of Buderim on the Bruce Highway, heading towards Brisbane. It’s an incredible sight especially at sunset, but we recommend that you stop at Moby Vic’s a fuel stop just before the lookout & catch one of their buses up to the lookout. It’s about a 20 minute walk up the mountain from the carpark. If you choose to leave your car in this carpark, do so at your own risk. Many people have had their cars broken into here while up at the lookout watching a beautiful sunset. (We know from first-hand experience — sad but true).

EUMUNDI MARKETS

No visit to the Sunshine Coast is complete without a trip to the amazing Eumundi Market. I would go as far as to say it is THE best market in Australia. Only 25 minutes north of Buderim, follow the Bruce Highway & turn off at the Eumundi exit. The market is in the heart of town. Get up early on a Saturday morning & get there for breakfast. Your senses will be overloaded with sights, tastes, smells, sounds & sensations.

It’s a microcosm of the talented people across the Coast showcased in a tropical outdoor environment under huge fig trees in the heritage town of Eumundi. Everyone takes home pleasant memories of Eumundi Market — it is like a snapshot of Utopian living that comes alive for a few hours each week. If only life could be like this every day! If you are looking for the local flavour, local produce, great food, rhythmic music, brilliant buskers, street theatre, fantastic art, sculpture, pottery, clothing, craft, jewellery, health products, the unique, weird & wonderful (there will always be something you have never seen before) then this is the place to be.

Every Sat & Wed morning. Saturday morning is definitely the winner, Wednesday morning comes a close second.
Don’t miss it.

NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS

35 mins drive north of Buderim you will find the Botanic Gardens at Cooroy, tucked in behind Noosa. It is a paradise for garden lovers & an exquisite venue for weddings. The ampitheatre is a spectacular sight constructed on the edge of Lake Macdonald. The Botanic Gardens can be found at Lake Macdonald Drive Cooroy. Head north along the Bruce Highway, take the Cooroy exit, follow the road through Cooroy township, over the railway overpass, Lake Macdonald Drive is clearly signposted, the second major intersection on the right. From there drive 3.5km & the Botanic Gardens are on your right. Too easy!

THE VALLEY RATTLER

Heading further north again to Gympie you’ll discover one of Queensland’s most scenic heritage railway lines. Here you can ride ‘The Valley Rattler.’ Travel from Gympie to Imbil & return aboard heritage carriages hauled by a C17 steam locomotive, ‘The Valley Rattler’ or treat yourself to a different experience…Journey through the valley aboard a restored Rolls Royce railmotor. This trip operates weekly. Alternatively, enjoy the best of both worlds by travelling one way on the railmotor & the other by steam. The railmotor offers excellent viewing while travelling in maximum comfort. Tea, coffee & light refreshments are available during the journey to maximise your enjoyment of this unique excursion. It’s a great way to go!
Group bookings & charters available. Consider the railmotor for special occasions — AGM’s, business functions, wedding receptions, parties, etc. The Valley Rattler operates for day or evening excursions. All your event & catering needs can be attended to as part of the package if required. A host of possibilities!
For more information & to book trips for steam, railmotor or a combination of steam/railmotor trips, talk to the friendly staff by phone on (07) 5482 2750 or contact Mary Valley Heritage Railway Museum Association Inc. PO Box 385, Gympie Q 4570.

FRASER ISLAND

From Buderim, a day trip to Fraser Island is not out of the question. There are many tours that run daily from the Coast & head up the beach from Noosa in purpose-built 4WD’s, crossing by ferry to Fraser. You can also charter air services that fly to Fraser Island from Sunshine Coast Airport & Noosa. If time is short, but you’ve travelled far, don’t let that stop you. Take the chance to to experience Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island, a World Heritage-listed area. You may feel like staying at the renowned Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island or one of the many other resorts that are on the island. Don’t miss setting foot on one of the world’s natural wonders.

THE HINTERLAND:
MONTVILLE, MALENY & MAPLETON
ALONG THE BLACKALL RANGE…

Head for the hills! A pleasant 30 minute drive west from Buderim up the range rewards you with spectacular views from the hinterland to the coast. Montville & Maleny are very distinctive hinterland communities, complementing each other, yet vastly different. Montville is a bustling tourist village that visitors instantly fall in love with. It has an olde-worlde aura & the specialty shops & galleries are simply divine. Indulge yourself. Don’t forget your credit cards! It’s a unique township that buzzes day in, day out. So much to see, so little time!

By contrast, Maleny is very communal, a little bit more laidback, a gorgeous hamlet where you can stroll the Main Street & feel you’ve left the stresses of the world behind you. There’s heaps to do & see & plenty of incredible art & craft, specialty shops & galleries to browse through but you really have to FEEL Maleny. It’s an uplifting experience. I always feel better after a visit! With the Glasshouse Mountains as a backdrop, it has that utopian atmosphere rarely found these days. A little town with a lotta soul.

CORBOULD PARK RACECOURSE

Fancy a flutter? The Corbould Park Racecourse at Caloundra is a pleasant venue for a day in the sun. Quality facilities, restaurant & bar with a perfect view of the track from anywhere in the complex. 8-race program usually on weekends. Check with Caloundra Information Centre on 1800 644 969 for details. Don’t miss the biggest day of the year: Melbourne Cup Day, always the 1st Tuesday in November!

AUSSIEWORLD & ETTAMOGAH PUB

On the Bruce Highway, between the Caloundra turnoff & the Buderim/Mooloolaba turnoff is Palmview & Glenview. You can’t miss AussieWorld, home of the Ettamogah Pub. Only 10 mins from Buderim Main Street, this is a must for visitors with heaps to do & see. There are specialty shops, souvenirs, cafe’s & restaurants, of course the Pub Bar & other attractions such as a fascinating Aboriginal display of art & culture. Kids will love the fairground, complete with dodgems, rollercoaster, chair-o-plane, cup & saucer ride, luge ride & a fabulous ferris wheel with views to the Coast. Popular Aussie bands play regularly Fri/Sat nights in the large shed behind the Pub. Other places to visit along this tourist strip are The House of Herbs — gift shop, nursery & herb house, Opals Down Under specialises in beautiful Australian opals & The Skin Thing, the only place to go for natural hides & a huge range of sheepskin products. For holidaymakers looking for something completely different, the game Skirmish can be found near the Ettamogah Pub. A local tip: fill up with fuel here before you leave — it is apparently one of the cheapest fuel stops in Australia!

BELLINGHAM MAZE
“It’s amazing!”
Ph: (07) 5445 2979
Tanawha Tourist Drive, Tanawha
Between Super Bee & Forest Glen Resort
Open 7 Days, 9am to 5pm
Visit Bellingham Maze website >>

From the moment you walk under the magic waterfall, you enter another world. Bellingham Maze is an ambient nature-based attraction suitable for all ages. Open 7 days, this giant, star-shaped hedge maze is both challenging & unique. The Bellingham Maze is laidback yet interactive for those seeking a relaxing break. Give your brain a workout. It’s guaranteed to test your “inner nerd!”

There’s a viewing deck to see where you’ve been or chuckle at those who are still lost, brain-teasing puzzles to play with, a tyre maze & mini tile mazes for the kids designed by the world-famous maze designer, Adrian Fisher. Delicious Devonshire Teas, Lavazza Coffee, cool drinks & icecreams are available in the teahouse. Enjoy the bushland setting, the walk-through Australian bird aviary & the picnic area.

Group & coach tours always welcome. It’s amazing!

Find Bellingham Maze in “The Buderim Guide”…

RAINING? DON’T LET A BIT OF WATER SPOIL YOUR DAY!

It doesn’t happen that often but it does have to rain sometimes! It usually doesn’t last for long. It’s a chance to do something different, relax with a good book, give your credit card a serious workout shopping at the Sunshine Plaza, catch the latest movie at the cinema at Maroochydore, Noosa, Caloundra or Nambour, or head north & step back in time with a visit to the Majestic Theatre at Pomona, the oldest authentic fully-operational silent movie theatre in the world. You might like to visit some of the local museums & soak up some history. The Pioneer Cottage at Buderim is living history at its best. Located in the heart of Buderim, behind The Hub, on Ballinger Rd, take a left turn at the Main St roundabout, then first right. Heading south, The Queensland Air Museum is located at Caloundra, near the airport & from there, only a short drive to the hinterland, you will discover the Landsborough Historical Museum & Maleny’s Lighthorse Museum. Why not spend the day at Underwater World? It’s full fo discovery & fun for the whole family.

There’s so much to do — the sun will be shining again before you have finished!