Next time the weather is gloomy and the beach conditions are rough, head inland to Buderim for a walk through the leafy suburb's main street.
Buderim's Main Street and Burnett Street are the main retail and dining precinct for the town
Buderim is located only a short ten minute drive from some of the Sunshine Coast's popular attractions – Mooloolaba beach, Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore, and yet this quaint little town offers a distinctly different feel.
We began our walk on Main Street, beside Centreview court. Ample free parking is available opposite the Buderim Mountain State School play oval.
Buderim Mountain State School's oval, adorned with local artwork
A local bus stop is located here too for those utilising public transport to reach Buderim.
We knew this walk would be a feast for the senses – the smell of freshly baked bread and ground coffee luring us into nearby bakehouses, the tastes of lazy lunches at one of the many cafes on offer, and the sights of the towering Poinciana, Camphor Laurel and Jacaranda trees that line the streets – and we weren't disappointed.
Our walk took us from Main Street onto Burnett Street, which you'll soon learn is also connected to King Street, and is basically just the one long road that changes name three times. Confusing? Yes, but the locals love it nonetheless. If you ever get lost in Buderim, find your way back to this main thoroughfare and you'll have no trouble finding your bearings.
One of the first sites you'll see on Burnett Street is the "Old Post Office" building, which is a local icon. The building is now home to the volunteer group, the
Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA).
The Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA) located in the "Old Post Office"
Stop in for a chat with the BWMCA volunteers if you are after some Buderim history or knowledge from a friendly local.
Buderim is one of the few towns in Queensland that still operate on a five- or six-day trading week, so if you venture there on a Sunday, expect a few of the boutiques to be closed. Our visit was on a Sunday, which was probably fortunate for my credit card because the window shopping alone was far too tempting.
Despite its small country town charm, Buderim delivers class when it comes to the fashion stakes.
Soul Diva is one of the many retail boutiques on Buderim
During our stroll along Burnett Street, we admired Ben Sherman wear available at one of the men's boutiques and some Morrison and Sacha Drake pieces for the ladies at
Soul Diva, just to name a few.
Although the retail options may have been limited on a Sunday, we were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing a cafe for a coffee and cake. Some local favourites are
Hungry Feel Eating House,
Capers on Buderim, and
Backofen, Buderim's very own Viennese coffee house.
With a Viennese coffee of chocolate, coffee and fresh cream offered on the menu, we promptly decided on Backofen and placed our orders.
Backofen - Buderim's little slice of Vienna
Backofen, like the majority of cafes and establishments in Buderim, is very accessible for wheelchairs and prams. We had no trouble manoeuvring through the tables with our pram. Our coffees were reasonably priced ($4.50 for the Viennese) and we enjoyed two scones with jam and cream ($7.50).
"Two Viennese Coffees at Backofen please!"
After our sojourn, we continued on our walk, only turning to head back once we had reached the local bookstore, Books on Buderim.
In addition to the delightful cafe, homewares and fashion retail offerings, Buderim is also home to major bank branches, doctors and other health services, pharmacies and a major supermarket. Its quaint tree-lined streets are an ideal destination to spend an hour or three wandering around, and the presence of the banks, medical services and supermarkets add to its convenience without detracting from its small-town charm.
Ramps and wide street walkways make Buderim easily accessible with prams and wheelchairs
Our complete return trip took just under two hours, including a coffee stop, and a visit to the supermarket for a few bits and pieces. If you feel like a longer walk, you could try combining a visit to Buderim with
a walk through Wirreanda Park, which is a short drive down King Street.
Will we be back again? Absolutely, we look forward to experiencing many of the other cafes on offer, and we also hope our next visit will coincide with retail opening hours too.
