Experience the free First Nations Family Fun Day

The 2025 First Nations Family Fun Day promises an exciting mix of storytelling, traditional dance, hands-on workshops and delicious native foods, perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

Save Saturday April 12, 10am to 2pm, in your calendar, and come along to enjoy the stunning grounds of Bankfoot House for this free celebration of our First Nations heritage.

Sunshine Coast Council Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the event was an early offering in a month-long celebration of national heritage, the Australian Heritage Festival.

“We’re following the festival theme Unearthed – which seeks to reveal the past, share lesser-known stories and empower younger generations as custodians of culture and tradition,” Cr Law said.

“Our First Nations Family Fun Day will be a sharing of Kabi Kabi and Jinibara stories about the region’s natural, cultural and built environments.

“These stories paint a wonderful picture of our rich Sunshine Coast heritage and how we can learn from our traditional custodians and their deep connection to the land in our Sunshine Coast Biosphere.  

“The event is funded by the Arts and Heritage Levy and provides a fun way to gain a deeper understanding and respect of our rich First Nations heritage.

“Gather family or friends to enjoy the shared experience of community coming together in celebration.”

The event is free and no registration is required.

Program Highlights

The Corroboree

At midday Wakka Wakka Dancers present The Corroboree, featuring a smoking ceremony, dance, audience participation and a digeridoo performance. 

Free workshops

• Cooking demonstration and bush tucker yarn with My Dilly Bag
• Story symbols painting station with Ochre Bee  
• Jinibara bush food, tools, storytelling and colouring
• Pottery and clay art with Caloundra Regional Gallery
• Stories, books and rhymes for children and families thanks to Sunshine Coast Libraries

Shopping

GATHAA First Nations Markets will be on site with artisan stalls featuring First Nations makers.

Food

Sample delicious native ingredients from the Nooks & Cooks food van and grab coffee and snacks from Deadly Espresso.

Bring cash for the Sunshine Coast Goannas soccer club fundraising sausage sizzle or pack a picnic and enjoy the spacious grounds and amazing view of Mt Tibrogargan.

Plus enjoy live music from Alister Bartholomew, kick the footie into the goal for a win with Sunshine Coast Goannas, learn about CPR with Queensland Ambulance Service.

Bankfoot House guided tours        

Throughout the day, enjoy a tour through the heritage-listed home of our early pioneers.

About Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct

The precinct is home to Bankfoot House, the oldest surviving residence in the Glass House Mountains region. Now a house museum, it provides the perfect place to enjoy a journey of heritage discovery.

Visitors can tour the old house, explore the exhibition in the modern Mary Grigor centre, take a self-guided tour through the ‘Shed’ or enjoy the scenic grounds, which offer the best views of Mount Tibrogargan.

The precinct is free to enter, open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-3pm, and located at 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains.

Accessibility and Cerge

A series of Accessible Tools have been developed for Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct to ‘Know before you go’ and understand our venue's accessibility ahead of time.

Take a peek before you go with a virtual tour.

Dogs

The Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct welcomes all visitors to our State-heritage listed property. However we kindly ask that you leave your four-legged friends at home - with the exception of registered assistance dogs, which are permitted in the precinct.