Monster Fun in the Mary Valley, QLD, Australia
If you're an outdoorsy wanderer like I am the Mary Valley region has so much to offer you.
Fun Activities That'll Make You Smile
Just a hop, skip, and jump from my burrow at Lake Borumba is one of my favourite places to camp and visit, Borumba Deer Park. When I get a craving for toasted marshmallows I head straight there. Due to the popularity of camping and caravanning in the region Mary Valley Journey Monsters have evolved to be able to hear the sound of a marshmallow packet being ripped open within a one-kilometre radius. The sound draws us in.
Borumba Deer Park has a day-use area, miniature golf course, dog friendly sites, access to Yabba Creek for swimming and water activities, and you can handfeed my good mates like Barney and Princess the deer, Boris the pig, and Chief the goat. If you're good at finding gold nuggets like I am you can exchange them at the kiosk for free lollies.
The historic steam train The Mary Valley Rattler is a must-do with different experiences available like The Tasting Train, Pets Onboard, and The Classic Rattler Run that takes you on a picturesque journey through the Mary Valley. The train stops at both Dagun and Amamoor villages where there is markets and entertainment provided.
If you're a steam train enthusiast you'll also want to visit Imbil for a selfie at the Proud Mary steam train, just a short walk from the Railway Hotel Imbil.
Other fun ways to explore this magnificent region are by horse, kayak, and bike. Mary Valley Adventure Trails cater to both beginner and experienced riders and can take you on a scenic journey through rainforest and farmland. The pristine waterways of the Mary Valley are equipped with designated kayak launch points, and Ride On Mary can assist you with guided kayak, bike, and bushwalking adventures.
For a unique family friendly experience be sure to pop by Puzzles on Yabba.
https://www.borumbadeerpark.com/
https://www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au/
http://www.adventuretrails.com.au/
https://maryvalleycountry.com.au/canoe-trails/
https://puzzlesonyabba.com.au/
There are so many great places to stay in the Mary Valley -
https://maryvalleycountry.com.au/stay/
Logo used with permission from Borumba Deer Park ©
Image used with permission .from Imbil Markets ©
This little Journey Monster Went To Market
If you crave seasonal farm fresh fruit and veg like I do then you can't go past the Mary Valleys local markets. Find organic produce that was grown within 70 kilometres, handmade arts and crafts, foodie finds like honey, sauces, and jams, upcycled everything, baked goods, fashion, food trucks, homewares, pet supplies, and more.
Imbil Sunday Market
8am - 1pm every Sunday
Yabba Creek Road
The Imbil Growers Market
4pm - 8pm every second Saturday of the month
https://www.instagram.com/imbilgrowersmarket/
Amamoor Market
7am - 11:30am every Saturday
9am - 12noon every Wednesday
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofAmamoor/
Dagun Growers Market
From 3pm every Saturday
https://www.facebook.com/dagungrowersmarket/about/?ref=page_internal
Kenilworth Market
8am - 1:30pm every Saturday
kenilworthmarketssecretary@gmail.com
Walks, Hikes, & My Nature Friends
If there is one thing that Journey Monsters reign supreme at it is walking and hiking. To wander and roam is our favourite thing to do. It is almost guaranteed that if you visit any of these recommended walks you will likely be in the very good company of a Journey Monster, although you probably won't be aware of it. What's more you may get to see some of my best wildlife friends.
Mary Valley Rail Trail
https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/mary-valley-rail-trail/
Fig Tree Walk
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/imbil/journeys/fig-tree-circuit
Strangler Cairn and Booloumba Creek
https://adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Home/TrailDetailsView?trailId=44033
Little Yabba Circuit
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/imbil/journeys/little-yabba-circuit
Amama Walk
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/amamoor/journeys/amama-walk
Conondale Great Walk
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-conondale-range
The Mary Valley is teeming with wildlife. There are so many interesting animals that call this part of the world home, like the Mary River turtle, the endangered Mary River lungfish, platypus, koalas, wallabies, and oh so many birds. There are over 100 different varieties of birds in Amamoor State Forest alone.
Due to the abundance of wildlife please drive carefully when you visit our beautiful region.
Events & Entertainment
The friendly folk of the Mary Valley are a fun bunch, and it seems like there is always something entertaining happening within the region. Three of the calendar highlights include the famous Gympie Country Music Muster held in Amamoor, The Mary Valley Show held at the Imbil Showgrounds annually in August, and Imbil Bull Bronc and Barrels also at the showgrounds.
The Mary Valley hosts a myriad of music festivals, yoga retreats, expos, and carnivals including the Ukulele and Acoustic Festivals, and PranaFest which are all held at Borumba Deer Park. Other notable events include The Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival, The Mary Valley Art Festival, and various equestrian competitions.
If you enjoy a good boogie the regions pubs have you covered with the Kenilworth Hotel and Railway Hotel Imbil regularly hosting live bands. At The Railway it is every Friday night from 8pm till late. Journey Monsters tend to be terrible dancers except for when doing the chicken dance but that doesn't stop us from flailing our arms about and jumping out of time to some good tunes when no one is watching.
This is just a small snapshot of the different kinds of events that the Mary Valley offers for fun-loving humans to enjoy.
https://www.imbilbullbroncbarrels.com.au/