Families Flocked To Caloundra For Bluey Fun
If you were anywhere near Kings Beach on July 26, you already know - Caloundra absolutely turned it on for the inaugural Picnic on Kings, and we’re still buzzing.
Thousands of families flocked to the foreshore to kick off the Curated Plate food festival in the most wholesome way possible: with Bluey, Bingo, and a whole lot of local flavour.
Not your average picnic, it was a celebration of our rich abundance of Sunshine Coast food, sustainability, and good old-fashioned fun. Think: goat yoga, face painting, live music, and pavlova decorating - yes, really.
From the moment the gates opened, the energy was electric. Kids were dancing, parents were caffenated (shoutout to Tim Adams Coffee), and the scent of local eats filled the air thanks to a lineup of drool-worthy food trucks and local Kings Beach foodies. The free activation zone was a wonderland of activities: a petting zoo, worm farms, bush tucker tree giveaways, and even a planting station courtesy of Caloundra Community Gardens.
Sustainability was front and centre, with Closed Loop providing a circular waste solution and a free Bike Park making it easy for families to roll in with prams and pedals. The Container Deposit Scheme was a hit too - recycle a can, pocket 10 cents. Easy.
On the stage Sunshine Coast Performing Arts College had the crowd grooving with their high-energy dance routines, teaching the little ones how to bust a move. Then came Kim McCosker from 4 Ingredients, who not only MC’d like a pro but also hosted a fun pavlova decorating comp using - you guessed it - only four ingredients!
Local legends Dave and Izzy serenaded the crowd with their dreamy vocals, setting the perfect tone for the main event: Bluey and Bingo’s live interactive show. Yes, the real Bluey and Bingo were in Caloundra, and yes, it was as fun as it sounds. With two ticketed sessions at just $10 a pop, it was the kind of affordable family fun we need more of.
Every corner was a fun activity. Mr Jay Balloons and the Coastal Caring Clowns kept the giggles going, while the Library Playground gave away free Bluey books (yes there were squeals of joy). Budding gardeners got their hands dirty at the planting station, and bee lovers buzzed over to the Communibee Hive for some sweet education.
Even the grown-ups got in on the action with giveaways from Mr Fothergills, live art demos, and a chance to learn about composting and worm farms. It was a full-circle moment for food lovers, nature lovers, and fun seekers.
Picnic on Kings was everything we hoped for, and more. A low-cost, high-impact day out that brought the community together, celebrated local food, and gave families a chance to connect, learn, and play. If this is what the future of Caloundra events looks like, we’re so here for it.
We’re calling it now: Picnic on Kings deserves a permanent spot on the Sunshine Coast calendar. See you next year?