Isaac Regional Council’s St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend plan revealed

Television stars, gourmet treats, cultural experiences and glamping will be the centrepieces of the St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend. Find out what’s planned here.

Hervey Bay celebrity chefs Dan and Steph Mulheron, who rose to fame after winning My Kitchen Rules.

A couple launched to stardom on My Kitchen Rules is set to headline an “iconic” family-friendly weekend focused on food, arts, culture and the environment.

Hervey Bay‘s Dan and Steph will host the Signature Tent Luncheon at this year’s St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend, the prime calendar event for the Isaac region.

The booking comes as celebrity chef Matt Golinski, who usually hosts the centrepiece event, reveals he is unable to attend “due to family commitments”.

A tentative guide for the June 23 to 25 event is outlined in the Isaac Regional Council’s agenda.

Drawcard activities include a sunset cultural experience on the Friday with traditional-owner focused entertainment and food.

On Saturday, Dan and Steph will deliver arts, environment and cultural experiences with their luncheon; a bushman’s dinner will serve up “country hospitality”; and Nik Flack – owner of the Flackyard Dining in Mackay’s Pioneer Valley – will offer a fine dining or degustation event at a to-be-confirmed “secluded location under the stars”.

Nik Flack from The Flackyard at Pinnacle and celebrity chef Matt Golinski, with a cameo from the Wild Canary's Glen Barratt (centre), at the Greater Whitsunday Food Network's Lunch at the 2021 St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend. Picture: Rae Wilson

Then on Sunday, billy tea and damper is the backdrop to a poet’s breakfast, with attendees also able to take part in regenerative planting in the wetlands before they recover at the Bowls Club or St Lawrence Hotel.

On the Monday, Mr Flack will lead a second fine dining experience at Lotus Creek, plus there is a to-be-confirmed farm tour, possibly at Mystery Park.

Finally on the Tuesday, there is a dugong information session at Clairview.

Elise Schill and Jaylan Heaphy, from Sarina, with Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis at the 2021 St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend. Picture: Rae Wilson

This is in addition to Gold Logie-winning Costa Georgiadis attending, plus multiple artists workshops, a high tea garden party, a pickling demonstration, and opportunities to camp or ”glamp” across the weekend.

IRC councillors will be presented with a planning event update at the ordinary meeting on Wednesday which includes moderate increases to event fees.

The St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend has proven a tourism winner for the IRC having won gold and bronze at the 2021 and 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards, and bronze at the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards.

The 2023 prospectus states there will be 83 local artisans’ market stalls with the event anticipated to inject $375,000 to the Isaac economy.