If you’re looking for an easy weekend out of Brisbane that revolves around good food, GourMay Mary Valley is worth planning around.
The month-long festival runs across May and is spread throughout the Mary Valley, just inland from Noosa. Instead of one central site, events are held on farms, in small venues and out in the open, so you end up moving through the region as you go.
The area itself is known for its produce, so a lot of the events are built around that. You might start your day on a farm tour, then sit down to a long lunch using ingredients grown a few metres away. Other events lean more casual, with tastings, demos and smaller gatherings hosted by locals.
There is a lot on the program, but it is easy to shape it into a simple day or overnight trip. Long lunches are a big part of it, along with garden-style brunches and farm visits. Some events are a bit different, like film nights paired with food or experiences out at Lake Borumba that mix the outdoors with cooking and eating.
What makes it work is how relaxed it feels. You are not rushing between things or dealing with big crowds. Most events are small enough that you can take your time, talk to the people hosting and actually enjoy where you are.
It is the kind of weekend where you book one or two things, leave space in between and see where the day takes you.
GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival
When: Throughout May 2026
Where: Various locations across the Mary Valley
Tickets: Gourmaymaryvalley.com.au
