The Curated Plate 2026
The Sunshine Coast does winter differently. Forget grey skies and quiet restaurants — from 24 July to 2 August 2026, the region transforms into Queensland’s most vibrant culinary destination for The Curated Plate 2026.
One of Queensland’s leading food and drink festivals will serve up its biggest and most wide-ranging program yet, featuring more than 50 events stretching from the Sunshine Coast hinterland to coastline.
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie, a weekend escaper, or a family looking for something special this school holidays, this is your complete guide to every detail you need — what’s on, where to go, how to get tickets, and how to make the most of 10 extraordinary days on the Sunshine Coast.
Quick Reference: The Curated Plate 2026
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday 24 July – Sunday 2 August 2026 |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Location | Across the Sunshine Coast — coast to hinterland |
| Number of Events | 50+ curated experiences |
| Cost | Free (some events) to ticketed (varies by event) |
| Tickets | thecuratedplate.com.au via Humanitix |
| Culinary Director | Peter Kuruvita |
| Partners | Sunshine Coast Council, Visit Sunshine Coast, Tourism & Events Queensland |
What Is The Curated Plate?
The Curated Plate is a home-grown celebration of the Sunshine Coast’s local producers, chefs and natural landscape. It first launched in 2019 and has grown into one of Queensland’s most anticipated food tourism events.
After a brief hiatus it returned with a stronger program, receiving recognition as Best Small Regional Event at the national Australian Event Awards in 2024.
What sets it apart from other Australian food festivals is its refusal to be confined.
Rather than gather in one place, the festival moves with the landscape, tracing the region through its growers, fishers, chefs, farms, dining rooms, riverbanks and hinterland tables.
The festival pays deepest respect to the Traditional Custodians of this country — the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples of the coastal plains and hinterlands of the Sunshine Coast. First Nations people are the original storytellers and artists of these lands, and their rich cultural contributions are honoured throughout the festival.
Queensland’s premier food and drink festival attracted more than 10,000 locals and visitors across its 10-day program in 2025 — a 45 per cent increase on the previous year.
The 2026 edition promises to be even bigger.
You might also like:
The 2026 Program: What’s On
The 2026 festival program includes long lunches, chef collaborations, farm tours, live cooking demonstrations, producer experiences, family-friendly events and immersive cultural dining experiences designed to showcase the best of the Sunshine Coast’s food, farming and hospitality sectors.
Culinary Director Peter Kuruvita shapes the experience across the entire Sunshine Coast — and his vision is ambitious.
“What makes The Curated Plate special is that every event offers a different way to experience the Sunshine Coast. You might find yourself dining on freshly caught seafood by the marina, learning from local producers on a working farm, enjoying a cultural feast under the stars or discovering flavours from around the world — all while celebrating local ingredients.”
1. Island Fire — The Festival Opener
Chef and Festival Culinary Director Peter Kuruvita returns from Sri Lanka — where he currently serves as Head Judge on MasterChef Sri Lanka — to open The Curated Plate 2026 with an immersive cultural dining experience inspired by the island nation, in collaboration with Alsahwa Estate Head Chef Mal Meiers.
Guests are welcomed with a curated cocktail and dance performance, followed by a live kottu roti demonstration and immersive drumming before a four-course shared feast inspired by Peter’s family recipes.
It sets the tone for everything that follows — theatrical, rooted in culture, and deeply delicious.
2. Kenilworth Ember & Harvest Weekend
Across three days of smoke, country music, wine, art and local produce, Kenilworth Ember & Harvest Weekend makes a strong case for the hinterland feast.
Friday night’s Smokin’ Boot Scoot brings live music, dancing and farm-fresh dining, while Saturday’s Wildfire & Wine gathers guests around fire pits beneath the stars for an open-flame feast paired with exceptional wines and acoustic music.
Its food magnet is Wildfire & Wine, an open-air dinner hosted by MasterChef’s Jamie Fleming, with a Kenilworth Dairies milk-washed cocktail, Spill Wine and Sara of Tuck Shop Catering Company’s flame-cooked menu of sourdough pizzas, smoked brisket, fire-roasted vegetables and chocolate-laced pears.
Sunday winds down beautifully with Gather & Graze: Sip & Paint at Kenilworth Dairies, a relaxed and creative afternoon set in the tranquil gardens of the award-winning dairy, guided by a professional artist.
3. Mooloolaba Seafood Market Day
Mooloolaba Seafood Market Day brings the working harbour into the festival, with Mooloolaba Fisheries and Rockliff Seafoods hosting a free wharf-side celebration of 100% Australian wild-caught seafood. Local fisheries will be cooking $5 bite plates, trawlers will be moored on the river, live music will carry across the wharf, and yes, there is the oddly irresistible chance to hold a 40kg tuna.
Free parking is available at the Spit, the Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce is running a free shuttle bus from Mooloolaba Central Park n Go, and the Mooloolaba Ferry is running all day with a free food token included for the first 100 people who book an all-day return ticket.
4. Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival at Spicers Tamarind
One of the most consistently loved events on the program returns in 2026.
The Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival at Spicers Tamarind Retreat remains a festival highlight — guests wander between food stations, enjoy live music and graze through Asian-inspired dishes from some of the region’s best chefs.
5. Picnic on Kings — The Family Favourite
Held on Saturday 25 July from 10am to 4pm at Kings Beach Amphitheatre, Caloundra, Picnic on Kings is a vibrant, family-friendly day out presented by The Curated Plate and the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce.
The Bluey and Bingo-starring Picnic on Kings
is a firm favourite with families and consistently one of the fastest events to sell out.
6. Tasting in the Treetops
For hinterland lovers, Tasting in the Treetops at Kondalilla offers a breakfast degustation above the rainforest canopy, while The Rocks Curated Plate Long Lunch in Yandina combines riverside dining with rustic charm.
7. Trawler to Table
Trawler to Table offers an intimate stillwater dining experience with Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba in partnership with the Mooloolaba Fish Market. Guests enjoy a curated five-course tasting menu showcasing the region’s freshest catch, sourced directly from local trawlers.
8. New Events for 2026
2026 highlights include a one-day-only fine dining experience onboard a bus parked at Caloundra’s Happy Valley, an immersive vegetarian feast inside one of Australia’s largest Buddhist temples, a fingerlime picnic with themed drinks inside an orchard of the native citrus trees, and an outdoor three-course event surrounded by woodfires at Kenilworth Showgrounds. Other newcomers include an Indigenous-inspired Bush Harvest Morning Tea at Fairhill Native Botanical Gardens, a New Orleans-style long lunch (with live jazz), and a five-course seafood menu stocked entirely by vessels from Mooloolaba’s fishing fleet.
In Maleny, Curated Nine Holes and Long Lunch pairs an easy round of golf with a relaxed, high-quality dining experience in one of the hinterland’s most picturesque settings. At the Chenrezig Institute, Nourish Body, Mind & Soul offers something more reflective — a quiet, grounding experience that connects food, wellbeing and stillness.
You might also like:
Where Does the Festival Take Place?
Events are spread across beachfront locations at Mooloolaba Wharf, farm-to-table masterclasses in hinterland towns including Maleny and Montville, and special experiences at sites like Australia Zoo in Beerwah.
The 2026 Sunshine Coast Festival will also feature events in iconic Sunshine Coast locations including Noosa, Mooloolaba, and the hinterlands.
This geographic spread is part of what makes The Curated Plate so special.
The geographic spread gives attendees a genuine cross-section of the region’s food culture, from coastal seafood traditions to farming communities and rainforest settings, all within one festival.
Explore Queensland’s stunning cities like Noosa and Caloundra as your base — both are well-placed for festival events.
The Perfect Weather Window
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, July and August on the Sunshine Coast average 15 to 22 degrees Celsius with low humidity and minimal rainfall, making beachfront and hinterland events comfortable in the evenings.
The days are crisp, the hinterland glows, and long lunches stretch effortlessly into the afternoon.
It’s genuinely one of the finest times of year to be outdoors on the Sunshine Coast.
Is It Free? How Much Does The Curated Plate Cost?
Some events, like the Mooloolaba Seafood Market Day, are free. Ticketed experiences such as the Kenilworth Ember and Harvest Weekend vary in price. Check the official program for individual event pricing.
The Curated Plate offers flexibility — you can attend a single event or bundle multiple experiences across the ten days.
Whether you’re planning a luxury long-table dinner or a free afternoon at the wharf, there is a way to experience this festival at nearly every budget.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets are available via the official festival website at thecuratedplate.com.au using Humanitix.
Demand has already exceeded expectations, with a number of events close to selling out as locals and visitors begin planning winter getaways around the 10-day festival.
Popular events, particularly the long table dinners and chef masterclasses, sell out quickly — register your interest or book as soon as tickets go on sale.
Browse our Queensland tours page for curated Sunshine Coast day trip ideas to fill the gaps between ticketed events.
You might also like:
Planning Your Trip: Practical Tips
Getting There
The Sunshine Coast is approximately 100km north of Brisbane. Fly into Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore) or drive north from Brisbane via the Bruce Highway — roughly 90 minutes without traffic.
Getting Around
Because events span Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Montville, Maleny, and Beerwah, hiring a car is the most practical option.
If hiring a car, book at least two weeks ahead for July travel.
Where to Stay
Mooloolaba is the natural base. It sits at the heart of the Sunshine Coast, placing you within easy reach of coastal events on your doorstep, hinterland experiences a short drive inland, and everything in between.
For those seeking tranquillity, hinterland accommodation in Montville or Maleny offers beautiful landscapes and peaceful retreats.
Book your accommodation early — July and August are peak winter holiday season on the Sunshine Coast, and accommodation in popular areas fills quickly once school holiday dates are confirmed.
You might also like:
What to Wear
Casual yet chic clothing suits most events. Pack layers for cooler evening events in the hinterlands.
Comfortable shoes are advisable, especially for farm tours or longer outdoor events.
Dietary Requirements
When booking, clearly note your dietary requirements — including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy needs — in the booking form. Most restaurants and event organisers accommodate these with advance notice. For complex or multiple restrictions, contact the venue directly before purchasing tickets to confirm they can cater for you.
Who Is The Curated Plate For?
The short answer: everyone who loves food, place, and the people who grow and cook it. But specifically:
- Foodie couples and solo travellers — chef dinners, degustation menus, river dining experiences
- Families — Picnic on Kings, Mooloolaba Seafood Market Day, farm tours
- Eco-conscious travellers — farm-to-table events, Indigenous food experiences, sustainability-focused producers
- Adventure seekers — Tasting in the Treetops, fire-pit dinners under the stars, boat dining on the Mooloolah River
- Luxury travellers — intimate chef collaborations, exclusive degustation lunches, wine pairing experiences at premier venues
Why The Curated Plate Is Worth the Trip
“With food tourism booming around the world, The Curated Plate is a perfect way for the Sunshine Coast to share our story,” Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said. “Sensational food, magical encounters, fun and laughter — this year’s program is an open invitation for locals and visitors to experience the wonderful culinary adventures that make our
