PUT the gadgets away, pull on your gumboots and give your kids a food and farming experience they won’t forget.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week returns for the first week of the Queensland school holidays, from June 25 to July 3, and is a chance to show your children where their food comes from.
Between seeing cows milked by robots, picking their own carrots, cuddling a lamb and learning how to forage for native Australian ingredients, there will be no time for complaints of ‘I’m bored’.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week is a popular food and farming festival that asks visitors to consider their food and drink choices and recognise the vast array of products available on their doorstep.
The Scenic Rim, with its volcanic soil, is a productive region for a bounty of produce, including vegetables, beef, pork, poultry, honey, olives, dairy, craft beer and wine. The week-long event features an array of free and low-cost activities that are perfect for families and food lovers. “Scenic Rim Eat Local Week celebrates the farmers who produce the food and drink that we so often take for granted,” says Scenic Rim Mayor, Cr Greg Christensen. “I would encourage parents to bring their children to the region, which is just one hour’s drive from the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
This is a unique opportunity to give your children an authentic insight into how their food is produced and to meet the people behind that food.” You can find the full Eat Local Week program online at www.eatlocalweek.com.au
These are some of the family-friendly events on offer.
Farmgate Festival Lost World – Saturday June 25 Farms in the spectacular Lost World outside of Beaudesert will open their gates to visitors for a relaxed event where you can taste your way around. Meet the locals, explore farm life and sample their produce. Some events require bookings. www.thelostworld.com.au
Tommerup’s Dairy Farm to Fork Experience – Saturday June 25 Ever wondered how milk gets from the cow to your fridge? Want to know how to feed pigs? Keen to cuddle a chook? This is the day for you. The Tommerup family are sixthgeneration dairy farmers. They invite visitors to spend the day on their farm learning all about real farm life. Enjoy their Norco milk, as well as cheese from the White Gold Creamery, a hot breakfast and spend lots of time meeting the four-legged locals. Bookings required. www.tommerupsfarmstay.com.au
Christmas Creek Café drop-in Make, Bake & Eat – Saturday June 25 Join in the fun when you experience the pies and tarts cooking activity, play backyard games, try some pumpkin rolling and browse local produce stalls. Bookings via www.christmascreek.net.au
Mt Barney Bushtucker Tracker – June 25, 26,28 and July 2 Kids go bush with one of Mt Barney Lodge’s experienced outdoor leaders to discover and taste bush tucker where it grows wild. They will also seek and find clues left by the native wildlife. Bring your sense of adventure! Cost is $20/child and includes morning/afternoon tea. Bookings via www.mtbarneylodge.com.au
Lillydale Farmstay – June 25 & 26 Visit the beautiful Lillydale Farmstay and explore the hedge maze, enjoy lillypilly jam tasting, try a Lillydale Angus beef pie and a sausage sizzle. Bookings www.lillydale.com.au
Scenic Rim Hampers presents Alpaca Picnic – June 25, 26 & July 3 Enjoy this unique picnic destination at the foothills of Mt Barney National Park. Bring your own picnic and enjoy it on this beautiful Alpaca farm. Feed the four-legged residents, learn about the amazing alpacas and llamas and go home with a hamper of local goodies. www.scenichampers.com.au
Beechmont Zest Fest – Sunday June 26 A festival about local sustainability and food security. Featuring conversations, demonstrations, music, great food and a community garden. Runs 8.30am to 2.30pm. Cost is $5 for adults. www.beechmontzestfest.com.au
Scenic Rim 4Real Milk Birthday & Open Day – Sunday June 26 Bring your family to this popular dairy farm and see the cows being milked by robots. See how the milk being bottled, pat the calves and enjoy the local produce. Bring an esky for milk and cheese. www.4realmilk.com.au