Katie Harvison and husband Trent were well and truly sold on Eumundi, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, after a visit to its famous markets.
I knew I wanted to move to Eumundi when…my husband Trent and I sat in a cafe overlooking the bustling Eumundi markets. We both had the realisation that we could make this Queensland town (with its big, wide main street, majestic fi g trees, art galleries and restaurants, and truly incredible markets) our home. After soaking up more of the market vibe, we strolled past a real estate agent’s window and spied a quaint little original Queenslander worker’s cottage for sale. It called out to us. That was 1999. It’s well and truly our home town now.
The biggest shock to the system was… getting used to the hoards of tourists that invaded our sleepy-ish town every Saturday and Wednesday for the markets. It was a shock, but a good shock. People really do travel from far and wide to visit our picturesque little town – Eumundi is famous for its markets (oh, and for the fact that both Pat Rafter and Kevin Rudd went to school here). Realising what a lively market community it really was, I joined the market scene myself eight years ago.
One thing I’ve learned from the locals is… that beers aren’t ordered in schooners and middys. In Queensland, they’re pots – important local info to know in a town with two great old Queensland-style pubs: The Imperial Hotel and Joe’s Waterhole.
An average day for me involves… walking into town to take our kids to school, a coffee with a pal at one of our many fabulous cafes (we are spoilt: Treefellas, Café Berkelouw, Food@ Eumundi to name a few), some work in my studio to make stock for the markets, and invariably an after-school play in the park, swim at the Eumundi Aquatic Centre or a quick drive to Noosa for a splash in the ocean.
One surprising thing about life in a town with a population of less than 1,000(ish) is… that we have no supermarket, although funnily enough we all seem to get by just fine without one. We have a great little general store (known as BP Bobs, because Bob also sells petrol), two bakeries, a butcher, a pharmacy, an organic fruit and vegie shop, a newsagent and the pubs – not to mention the many cafes and restaurants and various other retailers, nor the markets. And supermarkets aren’t that far away; it’s not even a 10 minute drive to nearby Cooroy and only a smidge more than that to Noosa.
It makes me sad when I see (in Eumundi)… the onset of development, with new housing estates on the edge of town. I guess it’s inevitable, but I just hope the historic charm and authenticity of the town remains for years to come.
If you come here to visit you can’t to miss… a meal at Modern Primitive Restaurant – in the Old Bakery building on Memorial Drive. Chef Steve and his wife Jo create works of art for the tastebuds. They use organic and free range produce, all sourced locally, and the menu changes from week to week.
The Berkelouw Book Barn in Eumundi (a wonderful world of books new and old) is also a must see for book buff s. It’s also right in the heart of town on Memorial Drive.
And if you’re on the Sunshine Coast in September, visit Eumundi for the Australian Body Art Carnivale (weekend of September 12 in 2009).
Something that deeply affected me in our new life was… the realisation of the importance of community. Trent and I wish we had extended family close by, but it’s not to be (we’re not…
For full story the magazine can be purchased from newsagents.
Does this town have a super market?
Katie Harvison and husband Trent were well and truly sold on Eumundi, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, after a visit to its famous markets.
The biggest shock to the system was… getting used to the hoards of tourists that invaded our sleepy-ish town every Saturday and Wednesday for the markets. It was a shock, but a good shock. People really do travel from far and wide to visit our picturesque little town – Eumundi is famous for its markets (oh, and for the fact that both Pat Rafter and Kevin Rudd went to school here). Realising what a lively market community it really was, I joined the market scene myself eight years ago.
One thing I’ve learned from the locals is… that beers aren’t ordered in schooners and middys. In Queensland, they’re pots – important local info to know in a town with two great old Queensland-style pubs: The Imperial Hotel and Joe’s Waterhole.
One surprising thing about life in a town with a population of less than 1,000(ish) is… that we have no supermarket, although funnily enough we all seem to get by just fine without one. We have a great little general store (known as BP Bobs, because Bob also sells petrol), two bakeries, a butcher, a pharmacy, an organic fruit and vegie shop, a newsagent and the pubs – not to mention the many cafes and restaurants and various other retailers, nor the markets. And supermarkets aren’t that far away; it’s not even a 10 minute drive to nearby Cooroy and only a smidge more than that to Noosa.
It makes me sad when I see (in Eumundi)… the onset of development, with new housing estates on the edge of town. I guess it’s inevitable, but I just hope the historic charm and authenticity of the town remains for years to come.
If you come here to visit you can’t to miss… a meal at Modern Primitive Restaurant – in the Old Bakery building on Memorial Drive. Chef Steve and his wife Jo create works of art for the tastebuds. They use organic and free range produce, all sourced locally, and the menu changes from week to week.
The Berkelouw Book Barn in Eumundi (a wonderful world of books new and old) is also a must see for book buff s. It’s also right in the heart of town on Memorial Drive.
And if you’re on the Sunshine Coast in September, visit Eumundi for the Australian Body Art Carnivale (weekend of September 12 in 2009).
For full story the magazine can be purchased from newsagents.