The Queensland food festivals worth working up an appetite for

From celebrations of bacon and beer to gourmet eats, food festivals are ramping up across Queensland. Here are the ultimate culinary events you must visit.

Get your calendars ready, Queensland is set to transform into a culinary paradise over the next few months with a feast of food festivals to launch across the state.

From Taste of Port Douglas in North Queensland to the Gold Coast’s Crafted Beer & Cider Festival, there is bound to be something to suit all tastebuds.

After a three-year, Covid-induced hiatus, the beloved Sunnybank Food Trail returns next month, promising a monstrous line-up of eats all for under $5.

“There’s a great menu with really great price points coming,” said marketing manager of Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park centres, Lisa Smith.

Lachlan Amos, Jimmy Oh (Udonya Tokoton), Magdalene Loh (Hot Cake House) and Lulu Davidson get ready to celebrate The Sunnybank Food Trail this July. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Across eight hours from midday on July 22, foodies can tuck into everything from $2 bubble teas and spicy fish and lobster balls to $3 chicken wings and $5 katsu curries from more than 30 of the culinary precinct’s beloved eateries.
Also next month will be inaugural food festival Providore Park, which will run July 8-9 at Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland featuring market stalls, live music, a DJ lounge, gourmet picnics, croquet and a wine and food masterclass.

“The event has been uniquely designed to showcase the delight of tasting – focus has been placed on working with incredible artisans and ensuring quality over quantity,” Sean Madigan, CEO of City Parklands Services said.

Rounding out July will be The Curated Plate on the Sunshine Coast – a 10-day celebration of local produce and chefs kicking off on July 28.

Punters can expect everything from bush tucker feasts, long lunches, pop-up bars, kombucha workshop, coffee blending, extravagant dinners, farm open days and more.

The eating doesn’t stop in August, with the annual Taste Port Douglas returning from the 10th-13th featuring an all-star line-up of chefs and cooking personalities including Alastair McLeod, Adam D’Sylva and Matt Preston. As well as cooking demonstrations and dinners, there will be parties, distillery, caviar and champagne masterclasses, golf days, truffle and cheese experiences and more.

While bacon lovers will be rejoicing with a new and improved BaconFest in Kingaroy featuring everything from pork dinners and pig breakfasts to barbecue competitions and market stalls, hosted by Miguel Maestre and Alastair McLeod from August 18-20.

“The community has spoken and we have listened and we’re pleased … that this year there will be more bacon than ever before,” said event organiser Anitta Stallwood.

Finishing off the month will be the Crafted Beer & Cider Festival at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast on August 26-27, boasting brewers from across the country serving up more than 400 new beverages, alongside food trucks and live music.