Holiday houses in Yandina

The picturesque little town of Yandina, around 90 minutes north of Brisbane, is close to two breathtaking national parks — Mapleton Conservation Park and Parklands Conservation Park — and is a short drive from a number of popular beaches. But ginger is what put Yandina on the map: the town is home to one of the world’s largest producers of confectionery ginger. The local ginger factory is open to the public and draws visitors from all over the region to its informative tours.

The area is also famous for its production of sugar cane, and there is a historic train called the Cane Train, which takes you through beautiful rainforest and landscaped gardens while you learn about how it’s grown, harvested, and processed. Because it’s centrally located on Sunshine Coast, Yandina is also a prime jumping-off point to many of the region’s greatest hits, including the nearby town of Eumundi, known for its massive crafts and food market, and the Noosa Botanic Gardens.

The weather in Yandina is quite nice year-round. The best time to visit is winter, when temperatures are in the low 20 degrees Celsius. The annual Horizon Festival takes place in August and is a contemporary multi-arts event with 10 days of visual and performance art inspired by the beauty of the Sunshine Coast. August Harvest Swap is a gathering in the community garden where people bring their excess crops and swap with their neighbours. Spring sees slightly higher temperatures, perfect for the ever-popular Groundwater Country Music Festival, which takes place in November. Summer is usually in the high 20s, with occasional hot and wet spells.

Eumundi

Just north of Yandina, Eumundi is a charming town that developed in the early 20th century. It hosts a large village market on Wednesdays and Saturdays with over 500 handicraft stalls. Right across the street from the market you will find Eumundi Museum, which features historic artefacts relating to the town’s early development and various industries, such as timber and dairy. A few steps away is the Liquid Glass Gallery, offering glass-blown gifts, daily demonstrations, and classes.

Local parks

Mapleton National Park offers gorgeous mountain scenery and diverse forests, from dense rainforest to piccabeen palm groves. There are also numerous creeks, waterfalls, and rocky outcrops with expansive views. The nearby Parklands Conservation Park is home to fragrant open eucalyptus forest and deep gorges that provide valuable wildlife habitat.

Yandina Historic House

Founded in 1870, Yandina is one of the oldest towns on the Sunshine Coast. This house was built in 1899 by a Dutch pioneer, and has been restored to a hinterland homestead, reflecting how it would have looked in the late 19th century. The house includes exhibitions about the history of Yandina and its evolution from a staging post to a thriving township.