The Curated Plate: A sneak peak at the festival's hottest dishes

A taste of what’s in store when The Curated Plate rolls into Queensland’s coast this July.

Merging beaches with bushland and sunny days with rainfall, the Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s most sublime balancing acts. From the volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains to the vibrant sand dunes of Rainbow Beach, optimal subtropical conditions whip up 60 kilometres of nutrient-rich soil and thriving crops, an all-natural secret sauce behind an abundance of top-shelf produce.

Showcasing the region’s finest flavours across 10 jam-packed days is The Curated Plate, a food and drink festival that’s been luring savvy gourmands since 2019.

Showcasing the region’s finest flavours across 10 jam-packed days is The Curated Plate , a food and drink festival that’s been luring savvy gourmands since 2019. In 2025, with celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita steering the event as culinary director, the spoils are set to be richer than ever across more than 90 individual events.

Seasoning applied to grilled scallops and rock oysters — The finishing touches are being applied to The Curated Plate food festival, set to launch in July on the Sunshine Coast.

Mark The Curated Plate’s start date, July 25, in your diary and take note of the most anticipated tickets below, previewed and sampled by Australian Traveller just last week. Spanning decadent long lunches to mind-blowing internationally inspired parties, taste sensations will be roasting, bubbling, shaking and stirring around every corner.

The Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival

What’s planned: A two-day celebration of local ingredients that lend themselves seamlessly to authentic Asian cooking, The Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival is one of The Curated Plates most popular drawcards. Think picnic blankets sprawled as live music tinkles in the background, craft beer and far-too-drinkable wine and some of the most acclaimed culinary creativity in town.

prawn toast of Rice Boi Mooloolaba — Rice Boi Mooloolaba’s mouthwatering Prawn toast is tipped to be a viral sensation.

What to eat and drink: A handful of the best Sunshine Coast restaurants, including The Tamarind at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Rice Boi and Spirit House , have locked in some knock-out bites. Rice Boi’s Mooloolaba prawn toast with mandarin dashi caramel is bound to go viral, a glistening blackened square that’s been blobbed with black sesame mayo and softens in your mouth with the lightness of a marshmallow.

skewers and oyster dishes at Curated Plate — Spirit House’s blackened Phat Wag Wagyu skewers hit all the right notes.

There’s also Spirit House’s blackened Phat wag wagyu skewers with Indonesian sate and crispy sambal, achingly tender despite a bold façade, plus The Tamarind’s grilled Hervey Bay scallops and oysters, ever-so-delicately dressed to avoid obscuring all that ocean-fresh quality.

Another hit on the festival must-eat list has to be The Tamarind’s grilled Hervey Bay scallops and oysters.

Where you’ll find it: On the lawn at Spicers Tamarind Retreat , 88 Obi Lane South, Maleny, from August 2 to 3

Saltwater Eco Tours’ Seafood Experience

Saltwater Eco Tours team member serving at Curated Plate festival — The Saltwater Eco Tours team will offer an exclusive cruise experience.

What’s planned: The Saltwater Eco Tours team is putting the finishing touches on an exclusive cruise around the Mooloolaba waterways aboard their heritage sailing vessel. Shining a light on the sleepy beach town’s significant Indigenous culture, the First Nations themed experience will also dish up a several-course feast littered with seafood.

cocktails served at Curated Plate — Chilli margarita cocktails infused with native pepperberry and Davidson plum.

What to eat and drink: Cocktails will be shaken with spirits from Beachtree Distilling Co., based in Caloundra, plus native ingredients — keep your eyes peeled for a chilli margarita laced with Davidson plum and native pepperberry because it’s a game-changer.

As for the seafood, expect the likes of toasted barramundi skin (as addictive as pork crackling, we learned), Mooloolaba King prawns, grilled snapper and rock oysters, all expertly layered with native ingredients.

Rock oysters with Saltwater Eco Tours — Book the exclusive cruise for a multi-course feast filled with an array of seafood delights.

Where you’ll find it: Departing from The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba. Dates TBC

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

What’s planned: A long table will poke out from among the lychee orchard at beautiful Yanalla Farms in the Glass House Mountains, where guests are invited to sport their wackiest headwear and indulge in an afternoon of boozy tipples and a mix of savoury and sweet treats.

Yanalla Farms Mad Hatter Tea Party for the Curated Plate on the Sunshine Coast — Yanalla Farms plays host for the Mad Hatter Tea Party during the festival.

What to eat and drink: Yanalla’s renowned dragon fruit, custard apples and lychees are guaranteed to take starring roles in the spread. Sweet and savoury scones will also likely come with Maleny Cuisine’s irresistible strawberry, lime and whiskey jam (the team calls it their ‘crack’ spread — one taste and you’re indeed hooked) and Hum Honey’s locally crafted raw honey. Maleny Dairies’ incredible Pure Cream will almost certainly serve as another high-quality accompaniment while gin cocktails, crafted from locally distilled spirits, should cement a memorable scene.

Yanalla Farms showcases local produce during the Curated Plate festival — Some of the local produce on offer during the long lunch.

Where you’ll find it: Yanalla Farms, Glass House Mountains. Dates TBC

Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry Twilight Market

Queensland's Sunshine Party Twilight Market makers — The Twilight Market is a celebration of the region’s producers and makers.

What’s planned: Grab your reusable shopping bags — the Queensland Sunshine Pantry Twilight Market is a one-stop shop for all things local and delicious. Featuring stalls from more than 100 stellar producers, the much-loved one-evening-only market event offers a total foodie immersion, plus loads of opportunities to take a slice of the Sunshine Coast home with you. Just add cooking demonstrations, live music and performances.

What to eat and drink: Local stalwarts including Barry Family Butchers (don’t miss their epic super-pudgy ham steaks if they’re out for the evening), Mountain View Poultry and Little White Goat Cheese are likely to showcase delectable goods, while exceptional caffeine from the likes of Montville Coffee and cold drip from Glass House Plantation should keep crowds buzzing.

Where you’ll find it: The Station, 201/8 The Avenue, Birtinya, on July 25

Tour of Mooloolaba seafood trawlers

seafood tour — Peter Kuruvita (right) gives guests a behind-the-scenes tour of Mooloolaba trawlers.

What’s planned: An eye-opening behind-the-scenes tour of the Mooloolaba trawlers. Led by Peter Kuruvita himself, the tour will take guests through local fishing docks and mammoth freezers where the good stuff takes up residence before getting swiftly shipped out to local kitchens. Think gigantic yellowfin tuna, barramundi, spanner crabs and the region’s tireless MVP, the Mooloolaba prawn.

What to eat and drink: After learning about the sustainable practices of the Sunshine Coast’s seafood industry from local teams like Rockliff Seafood and Silver Sea Seafoods, Australian Traveller was treated to crab and avocado sandwiches slapped together by Peter himself. Sparkling wine was also readily poured, so here’s hoping the scheduled tour will mirror such top-notch perks.

Where you’ll find it: The Spit, Mooloolaba. Dates TBC

Grape vs Grain lunch

grape vs grain at curated plate — 10 Toes Brewing and Brockenchack Wines team up to give guests an expert wine and craft beer food pairing.

What’s planned: A clash of the titans, the Grape vs Grain lunch will determine what pairs best with quality seafood and beef — wine or craft beer? Guests are invited to get in on a highly entertaining several-course fine dining meal with expert pairings from Brockenchack Wines and 10 Toes Brewing.

steak at curated plate — The Mary Valley grass-fed eye fillet with greens was a standout on the menu.

What to eat and drink: At Fish on Parkyn , one of the best seafood restaurants within the Sunshine Coast, dock-to-table dining reigns supreme. Expect to wash down generous pours of competing drops (riesling vs pale ale, rosé vs hazy and more) with the likes of spanner crab capellini in a smoky Japanese-inspired broth, Moreton Bay bug gratin with sour plum and prickly ash bechamel, and a Mary Valley grass-fed eye fillet with greens.

Where you’ll find it: Fish on Parkyn, 25 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba, on July 25

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay — Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay — Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine. Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.

First look: Every delicious thing we ate at Sunshine Coast food fest