We drove two hours north to The Ginger Factory, and it turned out to be a really relaxed day out! We only planned to be there for about two hours, and in the end we stayed almost five, my kid was having such a good time that she didn’t want to leave.
The Ginger Factory is in Yandina on the Sunshine Coast, and it’s a family attraction with a historic train, an indoor boat ride, a bee show, a factory tour, a jumping castle, gardens and a cafe. It isn’t a thrilling theme park, it’s gentle and chilled, so here’s everything we did, what the tickets cost and who I’d say it suits.
Getting there
It’s at 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina, and it’s just off the Bruce Highway. From Sunnybank it took us about an hour and a half, and from further south it was nearer two hours, so it’s a long drive. That was the one thing I didn’t love, the drive is so long that I probably won’t go again, although the park itself is lovely.
Tickets and what they cost
We bought our tickets at the gate, but buying online is a little bit cheaper. I’d suggest you check the third party sites too, I bought a Play All Day Bundle through Agoda, and it was cheaper than both the official site and the gate. Entry to the grounds is free, you only need a ticket for the rides and the tours. At the gate it was $35 for the Play All Day ticket, which gives you unlimited rides on the boat and the train, and I think it’s good value. Children aged 4 and over are charged. Even in the school holidays, we didn’t have to queue.
There are four types of tickets on the official website. If you’ve got lots of time, I’d get the bundle that includes the rides and the tours, which gives you unlimited rides on the train and the boat, plus the factory tour and the bee show. If you’re short on time, or not interested in the tours, one of the cheaper options will do.
The little train
The train was my number one pick, I’d highly recommend it! You sit in an old fashioned open train that rides through a tropical forest, and it’s like being in a fairy tale. It’s so relaxing and great for taking videos. The train plays the history of the Ginger Factory as you go.
The boat ride
The Overboard boat ride is an indoor boat ride, where you float along on a little boat past moving puppets that tell a story about chefs who travel around the world chasing the Gingerbread Man. It isn’t thrilling, but it has a lovely atmosphere and it’s great for photos. At the end there’s a small indoor play area, where my kid played with a local child, and I chatted with her mum in English for ages.
The factory tour and the bee show
We only bought ride tickets, so we didn’t do the factory tour or the bee show, but here’s what they include. The factory tour takes you with a guide through a small exhibition room and the factory, and you learn about the history of the factory, some facts about ginger, and roughly how ginger products are made. After the tour you can taste drinks and snacks made from ginger in the rest area next to the shop, some of which are a bit spicy. The live bee show has a staff member who explains how bees are kept, then opens a hive in the wall so visitors can see how bees live and look for the queen.
The ZOG trail and the other play areas
When we went, there was a ZOG augmented reality activity in the garden area. You download an app, scan codes around the park, and a little dragon appears on your phone screen with tasks, like dancing with the dragon, and you can take fun videos and photos with it. There’s also a jumping castle, inflatable play areas and an indoor soft play area, a gift shop and other shops, and the Rainbrella art installation with rainbow umbrellas hanging in the trees.
Food and drinks
There’s a dining area where you can order meals, and the portions are big and tasty. Besides the usual drinks, they’re known for ginger soda and ginger beer, and there’s a non-alcoholic ginger beer which tastes great. There’s also a coffee shop and ice cream.
How long to stay
If you don’t do any of the activities and just walk around the main areas, it only takes about 40 minutes, including the garden area at the back. If you do the rides and activities, you’ll need two to three hours, and we ended up staying almost five.
Who it suits
It’s really relaxed, so I think it’s perfect for 2 to 5 year olds. The older kids up to about 10 can enjoy the tour, the bee show and the ZOG trail, so it’s a good mix of learning, play and relaxing.
Where it is and when it’s open
The Ginger Factory is at 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina QLD 4561, and it’s open from 9am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day. The boat ride opens at 9:30am and closes at 4pm, and the last train is at 4:30pm, but times can change.
Is it worth it
Yes, once! It’s an underrated spot for families, the train and boat ride are lovely, the kids can play for hours, and the food is good. But the drive is long, so if you live nearby, or you’re already heading up the coast, it’s well worth a stop. Go early, buy a bundle online and bring a hat.
For more free outdoor spots, have a look through our playground reviews, and check the Queensland school holidays and term dates when you’re planning your next trip.