If you grew up in South East Queensland, chances are you visited the Ginger Factory at Yandina on the Sunshine Coast when you were a child.
Still going strong after 40 years, the Ginger Factory has recently undergone some improvements, and now offers a great morning or afternoon for Brisbane kids (and parents) with several rides and attractions sprawling over a nine-hectare site.
The ginger factory itself is just a small fraction of what’s on offer here, and you can easily fill a day here without visiting the factory or tasting ginger if it’s not your cup of tea.
Tour the Ginger Factory
Not only tasty but ginger is also packed full of nutrients and can purportedly relieve numerous ailments – everything from morning sickness to motion sickness.
Purchase a ticket to tour the largest ginger factory in the world (six tours offered daily) and learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of ginger products.
The tour is educational (kids are welcome to ask questions), concise and concludes with a tasting plate of ginger products. It also covers the interesting history of Buderim Ginger, the Australian company that owns and manages the Ginger Factory.
Tour the Gardens by Train
You are welcome to walk through the gardens for free, admiring the tropical and ornamental ginger-themed plants along the way, or you can purchase a ticket to ride the 100-year-old cane train, Moreton. The train leaves the “Ginger Town Station” every half hour between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
There is an educational and entertaining narration, informing passengers about the sites they pass, as well as the history of the train, the Ginger Factory and the local area.
The train is over 100 years old and used to work as a sugar cane train, taking cane to the old Nambour sugar mill. It features open-sided carriages. There is only one station so prams and strollers can be left on the platform to return to after the ride.
Overboard Boat Ride
Running continuously throughout the day is the Overboard Boat Ride. After purchasing a ticket, hop on board and meander through different countries , past different landmarks such as the Eiffel tower and Santa’s North Pole workshop.
As you go along you will be following the story of the Gingerbread Man who is trying to escape the clutches of two hungry chefs. Featuring 200 handmade moving puppets and lots to look at, your Brisbane Kids will want to ride more than once.
Super Bee Attraction
Four times daily, you can purchase tickets to enter the Super Bee Attraction and learn about the fascinating lives of honeybees. Presented by knowledgeable beekeepers, the presentation is engaging for young and old with lots of bee facts for kids.
The attraction includes a live demonstration, opening a hive and then showing a frame filled with honey. Guests can get right up close to working hives which are built into glass windows of the building. You can get up close with a magnifying glass and watch them dance, make honey and try to spot the Queen Bee.
The bees are free to come and go through the open side of the building and are always separated from visitors by either screens or glass. Finally, the bee keeper leads the group into the gift shop to taste different varieties of honey and other honey products, as well as answering any bee or honey-related questions guests might have.
Zog: A Forest Adventure
Zog: A Forest Adventure is a free attraction that will delight and inspire Brisbane Kids who are fans of Julia Donaldson’s Zog books. Follow the winding forest trail, looking for clues in the trees or on the path.
Use the augmented reality app to scan the markers, complete challenges, and earn gold stars, just like the dragons in Madam Dragon’s class. Learn to fly, roar, and dance with your dragon friends. You can even record and save photos and videos of the action along the way.
In addition to the interactive elements, information boards along the trail guide children through information on caring for a forest environment.
Toward the trail’s end, children will discover the Dragon school house filled with old fashioned school desks, books, typewriters and an old piano. Outside, an oversized chess board in a shady glade is a great place to stop and enjoy a game. Perhaps you’ll even see Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout wandering through the forest.
Activity packs to enhance the Zog experience can be purchased at the ticket desk.
Food court, gift shops and playground
The food court is fresh and spacious, offering a café selling light meals and refreshments, and an ice creamery selling ice-cream, parfaits and ginger bread men. There are a host of flavours – several of which feature ginger in the ingredients and plenty of other options. The selection of dairy-free and vegan options was impressive.
Parents will appreciate the large, fenced, covered playground that adjoins the café seating area. The playground has a toddler section on one side and a more challenging playground, suitable for pre-schoolers and primary school-aged children, on the other side.
There is also a small jumping castle near the Overboard Boat Ride, which is the perfect spot for kids to burn some energy after sitting on a ride or eating ice cream.
Near the eating area are also “Ginger Town” retail shops to browse and the main gift shop, selling hundreds of Buderim Ginger products and souvenirs. These products can also be purchased online. Brisbane Kids will be especially interested in the Toy Shop, which is a great spot to spend some pocket money or find a unique gift or souvenir.
Make some time to explore the grounds – the rainbow umbrella art installation, the Rainbrella Project, is a wondrous site. Turtles and eels are in the pond and my kids enjoyed seeing the water dragons and bush turkeys making the Ginger Factory gardens their home.
School holiday activities
Visit the website for free entertainment and activities available throughout the school holidays. The Ginger Factory is also host to the annual Ginger and Flower Festival.
Ginger Factory at a glance:
- The Ginger Factory is located approximately one hour north of Brisbane.
- Entry to the park is free, but tickets for the tours and rides need to be purchased on arrival or online.
- The Ginger Factory is open daily with the exception of Christmas Day.
- The Ginger Factory is pram and wheelchair accessible.
- No BYO food or drink, however, there is a licensed café with gluten-free and vegetarian options.
- Birthday parties and group bookings can be arranged.
How to Get to the Ginger Factory
The Ginger Factory is located at 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina.
There is ample off street parking or for those using public transport, bus route 631 stops on Pioneer Road at the Ginger Factory. See Translink for details.
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