Pumpkins, Pub Grub, and Pina Colada Cheesecake: A Saturday Drive through the Lockyer Valley.

Our first destination was the Mulgowie Farmers Markets, which open at 8am. Our early start from Brisbane had us taking the Warrego Highway exit off the M7 towards Esk/Toowoomba. There are a couple of ways to get to Mulgowie, but we took the scenic route through Rosewood, which took about an hour and a half all up.

The tiny town of Mulgowie is one of tens of small villages that dot the Lockyer Valley. This valley is criss-crossed with narrow roads used by locals to move machinery, crops, and animals, and to connect with each other between paddocks filled with chocolate-colored, deliciously rich soils. These are the roads that make a drive out here so special – take your time, take the side roads, and take in the scenery.

The Mulgowie Farmers Markets are a true country market held on the first Saturday of each month, where you can buy anything from a live rooster to a cob of corn on a stick! Seasonal produce, second-hand books, plants, and arts and crafts abound. We had a brekky burger and a coffee and picked up potatoes, onions, beans, pumpkin, and corn – all grown within cooee of the markets. We bought a jar of Sweet Red Chilli Jam from Just Getting By Jams and Preserves and some beautiful local beef from Dominic and Sandra from Shingle Hut Creek Farm. Don’t forget your esky!

This is a fantastic way to buy your food knowing it's fresh and sustainably grown. If you want, you can also get an education on how the local produce gets from the paddock to your plate as you’re buying it direct from the farmers themselves.

Spend some time sitting under the big shady tree listening to local muso’s playing, meet locals and day trippers alike, all sharing the same sentiment – how good is a country market, and what a great way to spend a Saturday!

From Mulgowie, it’s only a 15-minute drive to the small town of Forest Hill. This is a seriously quaint town that in the early 1900’s was Australia’s largest produce distribution centre. Now it’s a perfect morning or afternoon tea stop, or if you love a beer garden and a great pub, then lunch here is a must-do. There are gift shops and restored buildings, and the town sits on the Cobb & Co Tourist route, so if you’re a history buff, then you’ll want to stay a bit longer.

Lunch for us was at the corner pub, The Lockyer Hotel. Along with all the usual pub grub menu items, their signature dish, the Smoked Brisket (smoked onsite), was both delicious and Instagram-worthy! A large undercover beer garden, as well as out the back in the open garden, means all weather options are covered.

One of the driving forces behind the charm of Forest Hill is the owner of Caffe Sorella, Luciana. When she moved to the area and this shop became available, she knew she could add something special to the main street – and special it is. Caffe Sorella is a must-stop for coffee, homemade cakes, and gelato. The old, restored grocery store is now a treasure trove of giftware and delicious treats. Their homemade cheesecake is legendary, and each day serves up a new flavor – for us, it was Pina Colada, and the fresh chunks of pineapple had us thinking about palm trees and poolside cocktails.

With bellies full, we detoured over to Ghost Gully Farm’s The Salad Shed to grab some fresh greens before the drive home. This is a family-owned and operated hydroponic lettuce and herb farm. Slightly off our beaten track but well worth the stop. It's an honor system where you open the fridge, select from what’s available, and then leave your payment in the envelope. You can also order ahead via their Facebook page. It’s open every day, and they stock the fridge daily with farm fresh & local produce.

Mulgowie Farmers Markets

7 Mulgowie School Road, Mulgowie

First Saturday of each month 8am – 11am

Caffe Sorella

42 Victoria Street, Forest Hill (07) 5465 4106

The Lockyer Hotel

52 Victoria Street, Forest Hill (07) 5465 4477

The Salad Shed

Ghost Gully Farm 2 Rangeview Drive, Gatton