The new Byron Bay: Why Aussies in the know are flocking to this newly re-vamped Queensland town known for its effortlessly cool, sleepy vibe

Travellers are ditching the likes of Byron Bay and Nimbin to explore a re-vamped rural town in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. 

Eumundi, known for its free-spirited locals, breathtaking surrounds and famous bi-weekly farmer’s markets, is just 25 minutes south-west of Noosa Beach and a 20 minute drive from the Sunshine Coast airport.

The sleepy town is in the middle of a major transformation affectionately dubbed ‘NEWmundi’ by locals, with the famed Imperial Hotel undergoing a massive upgrade, a slick new brewery offering and an uber-cool boutique hotel opening in the centre of town.

The famous markets remain the same but but the rest of the town is rocking a new vibe, albeit in a heritage way. 

These are the ‘must-see’ spots to experience in the historic gem as more exciting projects prepare to open in 2025.

Eumundi, known for its free-spirited locals, breathtaking surrounds and famous bi-weekly farmer’s markets, is just 25 minutes south of Noosa

The hidden Tea Tree Bay is a mere 20-minute drive from Eumundi, giving those who visit the best of both worlds 

HOLA

Eumundi’s village is known for its talented creatives, performers, vendors and musicians – each of them responsible for putting the farmer’s markets on the map.

The town’s newest boutique accommodation, HOLA, has paid homage to these roots with the hideaway showcasing local art for sale in each of its 15 rooms.

HOLA, which stands for House of Local Art, is nestled behind the iconic Imperial Hotel and everything – from the paintings to the handmade basins and crafty ‘do not disturb’ signs – encompasses the laidback, cool spirit of the town.

HOLA, which stands for House of Local Art, is nestled behind the iconic Imperial Hotel

Alleyways that sit on either side of the entrance are plastered with local art and quirky murals 

It sits right across the road from the enormous markets so if you’re checking in on the Saturday you’ll have a parking spot ready to go before you explore the seemingly endless market stalls. 

No two rooms are the same at HOLA and each is furnished with authentic timber furniture, natural linen, bamboo and cotton throws. They sit on either side of a lush tropical courtyard with a hidden entrance off the main street.

Rooms start at $260 a night and range from the cosy Studio Room to the Gallery Suite and luxurious Hinterland Room with panoramic windows, feature planter boxes and extensive local art.

You can view the impressive artist gallery here. 

The luxurious Hinterland Room features panoramic windows, feature planter boxes and extensive local art which can be purchased upon checkout

Imperial Hotel and Brewery 

It’s hard not to be drawn into this humming hot spot when you hear the unbelievable talent from local musicians echoing through the streets.  

The Imperial Pub has live music every weekend, boasts a chic gin distillery out the front and a buzzing beer garden with plenty of greenery and sunshine out the back.

While it offers traditional lagers, the addition of the Eumundi Brewery now means you have access to some seriously tasty onsite handcrafted brews. 

The pub is the cornerstone of the town and has been welcoming locals and tourists since its opening in 1911. 

Pub classics on the menu include chicken schnitzel, bangers and mash, grain fed eye fillet and arguably the best crumbed calamari in the hinterland. 

It’s hard not to be drawn into this humming hot spot when you hear the unbelievable talent from local musicians echoing through the streets

Matso’s

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most historic pubs is now home to Matso’s, adding to the region’s reputation as the craft beer capital of Australia. 

Sat behind Joe’s Waterhole, which dates back to the 1890s when it was the Commercial Hotel, lies a hospitality oasis with a brewery, a variety of bars and restaurants, outside dining, children’s play area and live music. 

Since opening in December, 2023, Matso’s has already developed a loyal clientele who rave about the brewery’s creative beer offerings, energetic and knowledgeable staff and its world-famous ginger beer.

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most historic pubs is now home to Matso’s, adding to the region’s reputation as the craft beer capital of Australia

Matso’s started life as Australia’s most remote brewery in Broome, WA and it has seen enormous success after developing Australia’s first ever alcoholic ginger beer.

Despite now being stocked in bottleshops across the country, it remains an Australian-owned business and three generations of family still live in Broome who are often seen at Matso’s after work.

Stand-out menu items include the woodfired pizzas, pork belly rolls, togarashi squid, lobster rolls and beer battered fish and chips.

If you opt out of the $18 paddle tasting, must-try beers include the chilli and lime ginger beer, mango beer and the nightlife vodka, mint, lime and ginger beer.

If you opt out of the $18 paddle tasting, must-try beers include the chilli and lime ginger beer, mango beer and the nightlife vodka, mint, lime and ginger beer

Alfresco’s Garden Cafe 

This is the definition of a hidden gem.

You only have to look at the glowing reviews of this tasty hub to know it’s a winner, with locals desperate to keep it as their ‘best kept secret’. 

Opened at the end of 2021 by owner and chef, Dennis, Alfresco’s Garden Cafe is nestled in a lush garden next door to kev n’ kens pots on the outskirts of Eumundi village. 

You only have to look at the glowing reviews of this tasty hub to know it’s a winner, with locals desperate to keep it as their ‘best kept secret’

While it’s famed for its Mediterranean breakfasts, the venue transforms into a restaurant and pub in the afternoon with live music and a great schedule of local artists and performers. 

The humble spot captures the easy-breezy Eumundi vibe, with staff welcoming you like family and serving up some of the heartiest, flavour-packed meals in the region.

Highlights include the Big Mediterranean Breakfast with homemade herbed foccacia, the Spanish Bean Breakfast with chilli and chorizo and the Slow Cooked Lamb Open Sandwich.

They sum it up for themselves in their motto: ‘Good food, done well, every time.’

Highlights include the Big Mediterranean Breakfast with homemade herbed focaccia, the Spanish Bean Breakfast with chilli and chorizo and the Slow Cooked Lamb Open Sandwich

Eumundi Markets

You can’t mention Eumundi without singing the praises of the markets. 

Starting as an artisans’ market in 1979, The Eumundi Markets is now one of the biggest art and craft markets in Australia with more than one million visitors a year.

Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, visitors can explore endless stalls of handmade or home-grown produce and products and enjoy bustling vendors, visitors and entertainers.

Deigned to hero local talent, those who enter will be treated to original artworks, sculptures, furniture, homewares, skincare and fashion and jewellery. 

In classic market fashion there’s also fortune telling and massages on offer, as well as an epic food section with laksa, calamari, Thai, paella, coffee, gnocchi chocolate, pastries and cakes, old fashioned lemonade, locally made cheeses and yoghurts and freshly baked bread. 

Starting as an artisans’ market in 1979, The Eumundi Markets is now one of the biggest art and craft markets in Australia with more than one million visitors a year

By night the vendors disappear and the venue transforms into a peaceful, fairy-lit space. Once the visitors go home the town returns to its sleepy self and those left file into the cosy pubs 

The Doonan

Sitting on a mega two hectares of land, The Doonan brings some serious flair to the area with buzzing bars, beer gardens and indoor/outdoor dining areas.

Boasting a pizzeria, ice creamery, cellar door and even an outdoor playground for the kids, this stunning spot is the perfect way to wile away a Sunday afternoon.

Those who visit are invited to take a seat on the alfresco area sporting green surrounded by white tassel brollies, brick archways, suspended ferns and fairy lights while tasting some of the best food on offer in Queensland.

They also put on a Sunday roast every third Sunday of the month with tender meats and flavourful sides.

While The Doonan is technically in the Noosa Hinterland, it’s just seven minutes from Eumundi and locals on both sides like to claim it as their own.

You can’t blame them.

Sitting on a mega two hectares of land, The Doonan brings some serious flair to the area with buzzing bars, beer gardens and indoor/outdoor dining areas

Boasting a pizzeria, ice creamery, cellar door and even an outdoor playground for the kids, this stunning spot is the perfect way to wile away a Sunday afternoon