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

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

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