A practical Noosa day trip guide to May food events, local producers, Imbil stops and easy country planning.

May is a good month to look beyond the beach and plan a food-focused country drive from Noosa. If you are staying in Noosa Heads, Noosaville, Tewantin, Peregian or Sunshine Beach, GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival gives you a clear reason to spend a day inland, meet local producers, taste regional food and see a different side of the wider Sunshine Coast hinterland. The Mary Valley is located in the Gympie Region of Queensland, following the Mary River through townships including Imbil, Kandanga, Amamoor, and Kenilworth.

GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival is a month-long festival running across the Mary Valley for the full month of May 2026, with most events individually ticketed and spread throughout May. It is not one single event. It is a month-long programme of farm tours, open days, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, workshops, art, film, music, walking tours, local food events and community celebrations. For Noosa visitors, that means you can choose one main experience and build a relaxed day trip around it. The festival also features a food trail, a curated experience for visitors to explore local farms and producers.

The official Visit Sunshine Coast GourMay listing describes the festival as a celebration of Mary Valley farmers, producers and creators, with events held across the valley throughout May. The same listing notes that Festival Day will be held in Imbil, with food stalls, cooking demonstrations, food and farming talks, competitions and more.

This guide is written for Noosa Life readers who want a practical plan, not a complicated itinerary. Use it to understand what GourMay is, which May dates matter most, how to turn it into a Noosa day trip, and what to do around Imbil and the Mary Valley before heading back to the coast. The Mary Valley is approximately 70-80km from Mooloolaba, making it an easy day trip of just over an hour by car.

What is GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival?

GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival is a regional food festival built around local farmers, producers, chefs, venues and country communities. GourMay Mary Valley is an annual food festival that celebrates the region’s farmers, producers, and creators, highlighting the local food culture and community. The festival is known for its tagline “Our Stories. Our People. Our Food.” which emphasizes the importance of local identity and community in the festival’s activities. The focus is simple: food grown, made and shared in Mary Valley Country, with regional farmers and local businesses forming the backbone of the event. It gives visitors a chance to hear the stories behind local produce and to meet some of the people who help bring food to the table.

Mary Valley Country describes the 2026 festival as running from 1 to 31 May, with Festival Day and Big Picnic in Imbil on Sunday 3 May, the Mary Valley Farm Trail on Saturday 16 May, and the Gala Celebration on Saturday 30 May. The page also describes May as “Feasting Season”, with workshops, farm tours, cooking competitions and food experiences across the valley. The Mary Valley Chamber plays a key role in organizing and promoting the festival, supporting the region’s food and community identity.

For a Noosa audience, the appeal is clear. Noosa has strong beach, river, dining and market experiences, while the Mary Valley offers a country food story that feels close enough for a day out. You can stay in Noosa, keep your coastal base, and still spend a few hours among farms, small towns, country roads and local food producers. The festival features a Master Class Series where participants can learn from renowned chefs in hands-on cooking experiences, as well as hands-on masterclasses led by chefs with themes like paddock-to-plate dining, guided farm trails, and community gatherings. Farming presentations are also part of the educational and interactive activities, giving insight into local agriculture. The festival further integrates food with regional culture, offering events such as bush dances and outdoor jam sessions.

This is also a useful topic for a directory website like Noosa Life because it connects a Noosa stay with nearby events. Visitors often want more than one beach day. GourMay gives them a ready-made May activity that can sit beside accommodation, restaurants, attractions, markets and weekend planning articles.

Key May 2026 dates to know

The full festival runs from Friday 1 May to Sunday 31 May 2026. Most events are individually ticketed, so it’s important to plan ahead based on the experiences you want. For certain events, you can pre-order a special GourMay hamper, featuring curated local products, or bring your own food to support local vendors. Some events may sell out, while others are easier to enjoy as part of a general day trip.

Festival Day and Big Picnic in Imbil, Sunday 3 May

Festival Day & Big Picnic is the easiest starting point for many Noosa visitors. Festival Day, which is free to attend, will take place on May 3, 2026, at Imbil Rail Park from 10am to 4pm. The event features cooking demonstrations, food talks, entertainment, a Big Picnic, fabulous food vendors, a variety of food vendors offering local products, kids activities, competitions, and local food and drink options.

This is the best date for readers who want one main festival day with plenty happening in one place. Festival Day is a family-friendly event with dedicated kids activities, including kids cooking classes with celebrity chef Matt Golinski, veggie sculpture competitions, face painting, henna tattoos, and animal encounters. It suits families, couples, food lovers, groups of friends and visitors who do not want to book several separate experiences. Arrive early enough to settle in, bring a picnic rug if you plan to stay a while, and check ticket links for any special classes or pre-order a special GourMay hamper or food options before leaving Noosa.

Mary Valley Farm Trail, Saturday 16 May

The Mary Valley Farm Trail is the better choice for visitors who want to get closer to the growers and producers. As a curated food trail, it is ideal for those who enjoy farm gates, local produce, country drives, and behind-the-scenes stories, all while exploring at their own pace. If you are writing this as a Noosa Life guide, this is a strong angle for readers who want something more active than a standard lunch stop.

The Farm Trail offers a unique opportunity during GourMay to meet local producers and explore farms as part of the festival experience.

Because food trail details can involve set times, maps, property access and ticket conditions, visitors should check the current GourMay event page before making plans. It is also smart to allow more travel time than you think you need, as country roads and multiple stops can make the day slower than a simple drive to one town.

Gala Celebration, Saturday 30 May

The Gala Celebration closes the month with a more planned evening format. It may suit visitors staying overnight in the Mary Valley or those willing to organise transport carefully. For Noosa day trippers, it is less simple than Festival Day because the event runs in the evening and may finish late.

This is worth mentioning in the article because it helps different readers choose the right style of visit. Some will want a casual daytime food festival. Others may prefer a ticketed dinner, a plate long lunch, or another curated dining experience. The key is to check the official programme and match the event to your travel plans.

How to plan a GourMay day trip from Noosa

A GourMay day trip works best when you keep the plan simple. Choose one main event, add one meal or scenic stop—such as a breakfast event. For early risers, consider starting your day with a sunrise breakfast at the Avocado Tree Farm, a picturesque spot on a scenic hillside, for a memorable start to the festival. Then return to Noosa with enough time to rest. The goal is not to race through every town in the valley. The goal is to enjoy food, country scenery and a slower rhythm for a few hours.

Travel Tips and Timing

From Noosa, most visitors will drive through hinterland roads towards the Mary Valley. The Bruce Highway is a main access point for travelers heading to the Mary Valley, offering convenient entry to the region. Travel time depends on your starting point, route, traffic and event location, so always check maps on the day. If you are leaving from Noosa Heads, allow extra time for local traffic before you get onto the inland route. If you are staying in Noosaville or Tewantin, you may find it easier to get out of town early.

For Festival Day in Imbil, aim to arrive close to the 10am start if you want a relaxed experience. Early arrival gives you more time for parking, food stalls, demonstrations and the picnic atmosphere. If you are attending a ticketed class or meal, build the whole day around that set time rather than trying to fit it around several other stops.

Simple day trip timeline from Noosa

Here is an easy structure for Noosa visitors who want to attend Festival Day or another daytime GourMay event.

1. Leave Noosa early enough to reach the Mary Valley without rushing. Pack water, hats, a phone charger, a light layer and any tickets or booking details.
2. Arrive at your chosen event and check the day’s programme before buying food or joining demonstrations.
3. Choose one main food activity first, such as a cooking demonstration, picnic hamper, farm talk, workshop or ticketed experience.
4. Use the middle of the day for food stalls, music, local drinks, family activities or a walk through town.
5. Add one nearby Mary Valley stop on the way home, only if your group still has energy.
6. Return to Noosa before the day feels too full, especially if you are travelling with children or older family members.

What to expect at Festival Day in Imbil

Festival Day is the most practical event to feature for a Noosa day trip guide because it brings many elements of the festival into one place. According to the official Festival Day page, the day includes cooking demonstrations with Peter Wolfe and celebrity chef Matt Golinski, food talks with Gympie Living, kids cooking with Slow Food Noosa, fermentation sessions, entertainment, the Big Picnic, local drinks such as ginger beers, and competitions.

For readers, that means the day can work in several ways. Food lovers can focus on demonstrations and local produce, including regional specialties like organic beef, leafy greens, wine grapes, and goat cheese. Families can look for kids activities, food stalls and a picnic-style schedule. Couples can enjoy a country drive, lunch and music. Groups can treat it as a relaxed May day out that feels different from a beach or river plan.

The Big Picnic is especially useful for visitors because it gives the day a clear shape. You can bring your own food, buy from local vendors, or pre-book one of the special GourMay hampers if available. These hampers may include Mary Valley Smallgoods, Kenilworth Dairy cheeses, Jeremiah’s Crust Bread, Lindol macadamia nuts, goat cheese, and other regional specialties. Menus during the festival highlight local ingredients such as organic beef, macadamias, yuzu, ginger, avocados, leafy greens, and wine grapes. Always check the current festival page for booking links, inclusions and pick-up instructions before relying on any hamper or ticketed option.

The festival showcases the region’s rich agricultural ‘food bowl,’ connecting visitors with local organic farmers, producers, and chefs. Diverse agricultural produce featured at the festival includes golden pineapples, Hass avocados, persimmons, pumpkins, and artisanal cheeses.

Mary Valley stops to add before or after GourMay

If you have extra time, the Mary Valley has several low-pressure stops that can sit around a GourMay event. For visitors interested in local heritage and scenic views, Stockyard Valley is a picturesque stop on a historic 100-acre farm. One extra stop is usually enough, especially if you are returning to Noosa the same afternoon.

Consider Woollahra Homestead, known for its long table lunches and farm-to-table dining experiences with beautiful views. Alternatively, Kandanga Farm Store is a great choice for chef-led masterclasses and fresh local produce.

Imbil village

Imbil is the natural base for Festival Day and many Mary Valley visits. It gives travellers a country village setting, food stops, access to nearby scenic drives and a slower feel than the coast. For a Noosa article, Imbil can be framed as the main inland hub for the day rather than just the event location.

Mary Valley Rail Trail

Gympie Regional Council lists the Mary Valley Rail Trail as a 4.7km shared-use unsealed trail from Imbil to Brooloo, suitable for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. This can be a good add-on for active visitors, but only if the weather, timing and group energy suit it.

For most GourMay visitors, a short walk near the trailhead may be enough. Do not plan a long ride or walk unless you have allowed enough time and brought the right gear. Food festival days are usually better when the add-on activity is easy rather than ambitious.

Lake Borumba

Visit Sunshine Coast describes Lake Borumba as a place for camping, picnicking, fishing, kayaking, boating and outdoor adventure. It can be a good scenic extra for visitors who want water views and picnic space after spending time around Imbil.

If your main focus is GourMay, treat Lake Borumba as an optional stop rather than a must-do. It is better for travellers who have a full day, enjoy country drives and are comfortable with a later return to Noosa.

Who should make the trip?

GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival is a strong fit for visitors who enjoy local food, farming stories, country events and easy drives. It is also a good option for people who have already explored Noosa Main Beach, the river, the national park and markets, and now want something different in May.

Families may prefer Festival Day because it has a clear daytime schedule and activities in one place. Couples may enjoy a food event, long lunch, country drive or ticketed dinner. Groups of friends can use it as a May weekend outing. Visitors staying in Noosa for a week can use GourMay as their inland day, then keep the rest of the trip coastal.

It may not suit everyone. If you only have one day in Noosa, you may prefer to stay close to the beach, river and national park. If you dislike driving, choose an event with transport or stay overnight nearby. If you are travelling with very young children, keep the trip short and choose the most flexible events.

Food, tickets and booking tips

• Many GourMay events are individually ticketed, while Festival Day is listed by Visit Sunshine Coast as free. This makes it important to read the event page carefully. A free festival day may still have paid food, ticketed workshops, pre-booked hampers or limited-capacity experiences. Do not assume everything is included just because the main event is free.
• Book early for any class, dinner, farm tour, trail experience or special event that matters to you. In past Noosa Life articles, the safest advice is to check the official organiser page close to publication and again before attending. This is especially important with food events, where menus, venues, sessions and availability can change.
• For food safety and comfort, bring water, sun protection and a cooler bag if you plan to buy produce or chilled items.
• If you are buying items to take back to Noosa accommodation, plan your return timing so food does not sit in a hot car for too long.
• Disabled access is available at the festival, but visitors should contact operator for specific details.
• Support local businesses by pre-ordering from food vendors and purchasing local products at the festival.

What to bring for a Noosa to Mary Valley day trip

Packing List

A simple packing list makes the trip easier. Bring:

• Tickets
• Water
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes
• Picnic rug
• Reusable bags
• Small cooler bag
• Phone charger
• Cash and card
• Light jacket (if rain is possible)
• Shoes suitable for grass, gravel or uneven ground (for farm trails or outdoor workshops)

Tips for Families and Groups

For families, pack snacks, wipes, spare clothes and a small activity for the drive. For older visitors, check walking distances and seating options before planning too many stops. For groups, agree on the main event, meeting point and return time before leaving Noosa.

Where this fits into a Noosa holiday

GourMay works best as one inland day within a wider Noosa stay. It pairs well with a beach day, a Noosa River day, a Noosa National Park walk, a Sunday market morning or a relaxed dinner back near the coast. The involvement of the Sunshine Coast Foodie, a prominent local food personality, enhances the festival’s authentic and community-driven food scene, making it a unique addition to your itinerary. It should not feel like a replacement for Noosa’s main visitor experiences. It should feel like an added layer to the trip.

For Noosa Life, the article also creates useful internal linking opportunities. It can link readers to Noosa accommodation, events, attractions, restaurants, markets and future hinterland day trip guides. It also helps position Noosa Life as a broader planning resource for tourists, not just a local listings site.

Final thoughts: make May a food day trip month

GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival gives Noosa visitors a simple way to turn May into a food and country day trip month. You can keep your accommodation by the coast, enjoy the beaches and river, then spend one day tasting, learning and exploring inland.

The best plan is to choose one main GourMay event, check the official details, leave Noosa with enough time, and avoid adding too many extra stops. Festival Day in Imbil is the easiest starting point for many visitors, while the Farm Trail and ticketed meals may suit people who want a more focused food experience.

If you are looking for things to do near Noosa in May 2026, GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival deserves a place on the list. It supports local farmers and producers, adds variety to a coastal stay, and gives visitors a better sense of the food stories sitting just beyond Noosa’s beaches.