15 Fun Things to Do with Kids at The Ginger Factory in Yandina
Are you wondering what there is to do at The Ginger Factory in Yandina, Queensland?
The Ginger Factory, an actual factory with lots of fun things to do with kids, is located in Yandina, Queensland on the Sunshine Coast.
I first visited the Ginger Factory on a whim in 2011. We had no idea that in 2020 we would be living near the Sunshine Coast, less than 20 minutes away from Yandina.
It was a spur-of-the-moment trip. We were staying with his brother in Brisbane and had plans to go to the zoo with a friend. She ended up not feeling well so we decided to drive to The Glasshouse Mountains and ended up at The Ginger Factory.
Living near The Ginger Factory with 2 kids a decade later, we decided to head back to the and see what fun things we could do there with kids.
Surprisingly, or not, there are so many fun things to do with kids at The Ginger Factory.
The Ginger Factory turned into one of our kid’s favorite places. We even got annual passes!
Keep reading to find all of the best things to do at The Ginger Factory in Yandina, Queensland on the Sunshine Coast.
Arriving at The Ginger Factory
The Ginger Factory is in Yandina, Queensland, about 30 minutes from Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, and an hour north of Brisbane Airport.
The Ginger Factory is most easily accessible by car. There is a large parking lot in front. Parking is always free at The Ginger Factory.
What is Offered at the Ginger Factory?
On our first visit with kids, we got the ticket bundle that included the factory tour, live bee show, unlimited train rides, and unlimited boat rides.
Getting into The Ginger Factory is free, as is the playground, the walk (which used to be a Gruffalo walk and is now a Zog walk), the bouncy castle, the soft-play area, and the kid’s crafting space. There is also a cafe and a few shops.
Best Things to Do at the Ginger Factory
#1 The Factory Tour
It started to rain around 10, but luckily we went inside the factory.
M has an interest in gardening and loves ginger. Machines fascinate Z and he likes to discover how things work. He knew that there would be gears in the factory.
No one was in the factory as it was Sunday, but the tour was still interesting.
It ended with a tasting that included a ginger drink and 4 items using ginger products that they sell. We all cleared our plates.
#2 The Live Bee Show
Our next stop was the live bee show.
We learned that, unlike the Bee Movie, the female bees do all the work, and the male bees just get fed and cleaned. The queen bee can decide which of her eggs is male or female. The male bees live about 3 months while females die due to exhaustion after 1-1.5 months.
At the end of the show, we went into the store for a honey tasting. There were 6 kinds of honey to try and we all agreed that the rainforest one was the best.
#3 Lunch at The Ginger Kitchen
The cafe has a variety of sandwiches, salads, and hot meals. They also sell scones with ginger jam and cream, which we order just about every visit to the Ginger Factory, as requested by the kids.
There are a lot of tables outside, under cover, and they get crowded around lunchtime on the weekends.
While there is indoor seating, it is usually closed.
#4 The Boat Ride, Overboard
After lunch, we went on a boat ride. I had imagined it to be a real boat, but it is a boat inside a building, like a lot of the rides at Disney World. It reminded us a lot of the Small World ride.
The premise is that the gingerbread man ran away and the bakers are chasing him through different countries. He ends up at the North Pole and then they decide to make cookies that look like him.
The boat ride can be purchased as a one-time ride or as unlimited rides. Our kids love to ride the boat at the Ginger Factory and we have ridden it countless times.
At the front of the ride, when you check in, there is a scavenger hunt available for those who want to play a game during the ride. Another fun thing to do is to count the gingerbread men throughout the ride.
#5 The Train Ride, Moreton the Ginger Train
The train leaves every half hour and takes about 15 minutes. The train takes you around the factory and the ginger fields.
Sometimes a line forms, so be sure to be there early if it is crowded at the Ginger Factory. Otherwise, you should be able to just walk on.
#6 Zog Walk in the Rainforest
The next stop was the Gruffalo walk. It is a walk through the rainforest, but they added an app that tells a story.
While this walk is now called a Zog walk, the idea is the same. There are places to stop and take photos through an app. The kids have to stand by the clue while you point your phone at them and a character is added.
Another way to interact on the Zog Walk is to purchase an activity bag that includes:
- trail activity book
- wings
- Zog glasses
- stickers
- colored pencils
- an orange crayon
At the end of the Zog Walk is a shed set up as a “school for young dragons.”
Kids can play inside the school. In addition to desks, there are lots of books and a piano. Outside the shed is a large chessboard.
#7 Decorate Your Own Gingerbread Man
I told the kids at the beginning of the day that if they behaved, they would get a gingerbread man to decorate.
Z opted not to get one as he wanted to go back to the playground.
There is an ice cream shop as well, (formerly The Icecreamery, now named Gingerlati’s) which is where the Gingerbread cookies are. Treats are also available at the cafe.
On other visits, we have ordered ginger scones with come with cream and ginger jam. They are delicious and now the kids ask if we can order them each time.
They have not asked for another gingerbread man.
#7 The Playground at The Ginger Factory
The kids played on the playground until 3 p.m. That is when we realized that we had been at The Ginger Factory for 6 hours.
We found out that because we bought the bundle today, we can come back and get unlimited boat rides and train rides for half off. Now we have an annual pass to The Ginger Factory.
There are 2 separate playgrounds next to each other, and one is for toddlers. Both playgrounds are fully fenced-in.
Despite moving to Brisbane, we have still used our annual passes many times. The kids love riding the boat and the train. They make a game out of counting the gingerbread men that they see on the boat ride.
#9 Ginger Town and Shopping at The Ginger Factory
Ginger Town at The Ginger Factory is a group of shops located near the train station.
Souvenirs, gift items, fudge, toys, and many other items can be found in Ginger Town.
I usually head to the shops while the kids play at the playground, but they do enjoy checking out Giuseppe’s Workshop.
There is a large shop at the entrance to The Ginger Factory that is filled with many food items featuring ginger, plus souvenirs, soaps, honey, and a variety of gift items.
#10 Beetrice the Jumping Castle
A new fun activity for kids has popped up at The Ginger Factory. Outside of the Overboat Boat Ride is a jumping castle with a large bee on it, known as Beetrice the Jumping Castle.
This jumping castle is completely free. It is closed to the public for birthday party events and on rainy days.
Kids should be 5-10 years old to jump in the jumping castle.
#11 Little Explorers Soft Play Area
Another new area just for kids at the Ginger Factory is Little Explorers, a soft play area for kids 5 and under.
Inside near the boat ride, Little Explorers includes a ball pit and soft equipment that kids can play on and slide down.
Socks, not shoes, must be worn inside Little Explorers.
#12 The Ginger Harvest Tour
A new seasonal tour is available at The Ginger Factory and we are hoping to take it soon.
The Ginger Harvest Tour takes place during the second half of March and includes a 40-minute long hands-on tour.
Tour members will take a tour of the Ginger Factory Farm Garden and learn about the growth cycle of ginger and its medicinal benefits.
At the end of the tour, there is a guided product tasting of the Buderim Ginger wellness range.
#13 Little Creator’s Play Space
A coloring in and activity centre is set up by the shops near the train station. Little Creator’s Play Space has a few tables set up with crafts for kids to complete. Additional seating is set up around the room.
A free little library book exchange is located at Little Creator’s Play Space.
#14 Rainbrella Project
A small trail is set up by the cafe with lots of colorful umbrellas above.
#15 Special Events
See what is happening at The Ginger Factory before your visit as they often have special events.
From art shows to children’s events, which are usually free to attend, fun things happen at The Ginger Factory.
We attended on a day when there was a scavenger hunt for kids and they each received a compass. This was completely free, as entry is always free.
Cooking demonstrations and classes for adults happen throughout the year as well.
What to Know Before You Go to The Ginger Factory
- Kids under 3 are free
- Decide which pass is best for your family and your budget
- A family pass includes 2 adults and up to 3 children
- Passes can be upgraded at any time during your visit
- They will check your annual pass photo and date every time
- The cafe stops serving meals at 2:30 but continues to serve snacks and drinks
- The Ginger Factory tends to empty an hour before closing time
- The train does not run as consistently as the boat, so check the time to ensure you can ride
- The rainforest walk can be muddy after the rain
More Fun with Kids Near The Ginger Factory
Australia Zoo
Mary Valley Rattler Steam Train
Pin The Ginger Factory with Kids for Later!
