Things to do · 30 minutes from Noosa
A day trip from Noosa, rain or shine
When the beach is washed out, or you simply want a change of scene, there are goats, chicks and indoor play half an hour away.
- 30 minutes from Noosa
- Open daily 8am-4pm
- Undercover spaces for rainy days
Staying in Noosa and looking for something new to do with the kids? Fairhill Adventure Gardens is about 30 minutes south, in Ninderry near Yandina, and it makes a relaxed half-day trip away from the sand.
We are not in Noosa, and that is rather the point: swap the surf for shady gardens, a hands-on farmyard and brunch under the trees, then be back for a sunset swim. On a wet day, there is plenty under cover to keep everyone busy.
A rainy day near Noosa
Rain on a beach holiday does not have to mean a day indoors at the apartment. Across the gardens you will find:
- Cuddle Corner: chicks to hold and guinea pigs to feed, under cover
- Little Sprouts: indoor play for younger children
- The Atrium: the Farm Shop and our local makers' marketplace
- The Longhouse Pavilion: a big undercover space for sheltered dining
Things to do from Noosa with kids
Arrive in time for a farmyard session. The Rangers run them at 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm: cuddle and brush the baby goats, hold a chick, feed the guinea pigs and walk the mini goats down to Turtle Lake.
Between sessions, the Forest Fairy Trail and the Little Engineers' Dig Zone are open at your own pace, and the Gardens Café is ready when everyone is hungry.
Lunch before the drive back
The Gardens Café serves breakfast, brunch and lunch with barista coffee every day from 8am, with last orders at 2pm. Entry to the café is free. See The Gardens Café and the menu.
Back in Noosa
- Noosa National Park. Follow the boardwalk from Noosa Main Beach onto the coastal track and its bays. Visit Noosa
- Noosa Farmers Market. On Sundays, on Weyba Road in Noosaville. noosafarmersmarket.com.au
Events to plan a Noosa holiday around
Holidaying in Noosa with children? Time your day trip for one of our events. In Fairy Twilight Hollow the fairies move the Star every day, so every visit starts a new Star Quest. In the school holidays there are themed adventures and workshops, and the year is dotted with family days such as Halloween PumpkinFest, the Spring Festival and Santa at Fairhill.
Older kids and grown-ups love Frog Night, an evening with ECOllaboration surveying the frogs of our dams and creek after dark. For a slower day there is live music at Fairhill Chill, and special brunches for Mothers' Day and Valentines'.
Here for a weekend? See what's on this weekend.
On every day of your holiday
Whatever the weather in Noosa, these are on whenever our gates are open.
The Animal Farmyard
Chickens, ducks, miniature goats and guinea pigs. The Rangers run farmyard sessions at 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm: listen for the Gong and meet at Reception.
Meet the farmyardFairhill Adventures
At your own pace all day from 8am: the Forest Fairy Trail, the Little Engineers' Dig Zone, Little Sprouts indoor play and Turtle Lake.
Fairhill Adventures
The Native Botanic Gardens
Shaded paths, rainforest pockets and big lawns on the slopes of Mount Ninderry, with water dragons and turtles for sharp eyes.
The gardens
The Gardens Café
Breakfast, brunch, lunch and barista coffee. Daily 8am - last orders 2pm. Free entry.
The Gardens Café
The Native Plant Nursery
Australian natives, grafted grevilleas and bush tucker plants, with help to choose. Daily 8am-4pm. Free entry.
The native plant nurseryGetting here from Noosa
- About 30 minutes by car. Head south towards Yandina and M1 exit 215, then follow the signs for “Fairhill Botanic Gardens”.
- 114 Fairhill Road, Ninderry QLD 4561. Free parking on site.
- Free entry to the café, Country Store and Nursery.
Day trip from Noosa questions
What can we do near Noosa on a rainy day?
Fairhill, 30 minutes from Noosa, has undercover spaces across the gardens: Cuddle Corner with chicks to hold and guinea pigs to feed, Little Sprouts indoor play, the Atrium with our Farm Shop and makers' marketplace, and sheltered dining in the Longhouse Pavilion.
Is Fairhill a good day trip from Noosa with kids?
Yes. Plan on a morning: the Rangers run farmyard sessions with the chickens, ducks, miniature goats and guinea pigs at 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm, and the Forest Fairy Trail, the Little Engineers' Dig Zone and Turtle Lake are there at your own pace.
How far is Fairhill from Noosa?
About 30 minutes by car. Head south towards Yandina and M1 exit 215, then follow the signs for "Fairhill Botanic Gardens". We are at 114 Fairhill Road, Ninderry, with free parking.
Is Fairhill in Noosa?
No. We are in Ninderry, near Yandina on the Sunshine Coast, about 30 minutes from Noosa. That makes us an easy half day away when you want a break from the beach.
Can we have lunch there?
Yes. The Gardens Café serves breakfast, brunch and lunch every day from 8am, with last orders at 2pm. Entry to the café, the Nursery and the Country Store is free.
When is Fairhill open?
Every day, daily 8am-4pm. The farmyard and Fairhill Adventures are on a Day Pass or Membership.
Anything else? Please use the livechat or the search bar on our website.
Coming from somewhere else? See things to do from Eumundi, Coolum Beach and Yandina, or all our things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
Half an hour from Noosa
Book your Day Pass ahead for the farmyard sessions, or come for brunch and the Nursery, free to enter.