Market Mornings Done Right: A Slow Sunday in Somerset
If you’re craving a slower kind of Sunday – filled with markets, great coffee and a little country charm, a daytrip to Somerset promises a family friendly day out with plenty of delicious perks.
Just a short drive from Brisbane, this tasty trip will see you loop through Fernvale, Esk and Toogoolawah – charming country villages just waiting to be explored.
Pack the kids, a beach bag and an esky for a weekend done well!
- Driving Directions
- Suggested Time: 1 Day
- Highlight: A delicious day out for the entire family.
- Download the Itinerary
Suggested Itinerary
Kick off your morning drive with the short trip to Fernvale.
Pull in for a breakfast stop at Splityard Social a warm, rustic café that nails country comfort and good coffee.
If decadent pancakes and insta-worthy waffles are more your vibe, head to the Tree Change Café in Fernvale. This popular spot is known for its quirky décor (plant lovers will rejoice) and great service.
After breakfast, pick up fresh bread from one of Fernvale’s famous bakeries before continuing just a few minutes up the road to the Fernvale Markets.
Held every Sunday of the month between 6am and 12pm, Fernvale Markets are known for fresh produce, plants, condiments, country crafts and more. Stock up on fruit and veggies, sweet treats and more before continuing your drive on to Esk.
Can’t make your trip on a Sunday? Change this itinerary to a Saturday and head to the Esk Country Markets instead. See a full list of markets in Somerset at the end of this article.
With bellies and eskies full, continue on to Esk with its charming main street that is well worth the wander with homewares, antiques, gifts, fashion and more to explore.
Pull into Brisbane Valley Roasters for a quality coffee and morning tea and round out your market haul with a stop at Esk’s Fruit Shop.
Owners Nic and Kim have been providing locals with the finest produce and gourmet treats for many years with the store now an icon of the village.
Add to the esky with fresh fruit and veggies before you continue.
Refer to our highlights below to explore Esk's retail offering in more detail.
Following your wander through Esk, you’ll continue on to Toogoolawah - a charming village that is home to historic pubs, a vibrant main street and contemporary art spaces.
Stroll the main street afterwards to explore boutiques, gift shops and family-run stores. A must-do in Toogoolawah is Picnic Society. Here you can buy beautiful grazing items, baked goods and gourmet picnic provisions, including small batch local products.
Stop here for an authentic country pub meal at The Exchange Hotel. With multiple dining areas including a beer garden, it’s the perfect spot to stop for a break and lunch.
Post lunch, let the kids cool down with a splash at the new Toogoolawah Pool and the splashpad before packing up to head home.
Relax into the return drive with sunset views over the Wivenhoe Dam spillway - your "Pièce de résistance" to a perfect day out.
Holiday Highlights
Old Fernvale Bakery | Fernvale
For nearly five decades the Old Fernvale Bakery has been winning awards and making a mark with its top-quality local pies. Owners Bill and Lyn Rose have a passion for pastry, local produce and the community, and continuously challenge their master bakers and apprentices to invent new and exciting pastries and flavours. The result? Old Fernvale Bakery offers more than 150 varieties of pies and a large selection of sweet treats. This bakery is a MUST do on your Sunday road trip.
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Splityard Social | Fernvale
Great coffee and comfort food await at Fernvale's Splityard Social. With a menu created using the finest fresh produce, the cafe also boasts their own signature blend which is roasted fresh onsite daily. Enjoy a delicious breakfast or coffee and cake in their thoughtfully designed space - a unique fashion of recycled heritage timbers and industrial charm.
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Tree Change Cafe | Fernvale
Fernvale's tree Change Cafe is a laid-back little spot that plant lovers (and the kids!) will adore. Filled with greenery and quaint little nooks with books, this cafe is known for its friendly service and amazing pancakes and is a worthy stop on your adventure through Somerset.
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Esk Fruit Shop | Esk
A must-stop on any drive through the Brisbane Valley, the Esk Fruit Shop is far more than a place to stock up on fresh produce. This much-loved local stop showcases seasonal fruit and vegetables alongside an impressive range of gourmet treats, from roasted nuts and artisan condiments to old-school ice creams perfect for warm country days. Whether you're building a picnic, grabbing road trip snacks or hunting for locally made flavour to take home, the Esk Fruit Shop delivers quality, freshness and a true taste of the region.
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Rudi's Place | Esk
This stylish little shop brings together great fashion, authentic country pieces, thoughtful gifts and a tempting range of gourmet goods. Well curated, easy to browse and with wonderful service, you'll want to allow enough browsing time to do a slow browse of this gorgeous space.
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House of Kalu Babu | Esk
House of Kalu Babu in Esk is a beautiful bohemian-inspired space that's a worthy wander through on your day trip. Bursting with all sorts of bohemian inspired gifts, jewellery, home decor and clothing, its a treasure trove for shoppers who love colour, texture and easy-going vibes. While there, be sure to pop next door to the antiques store - also a treasure trove for intrepid shoppers!
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Brisbane Valley Roasters | Esk
Brisbane Valley Roasters is a standout stop for coffee lovers, pairing an urban-chic alfresco space with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee (that’s been blended onsite). The coffee is excellent, meals are well done and the service is warm – it’s a great spot to settle in for breakfast, morning tea or lunch.
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Nicola's Boutique | Esk
Nicola's Boutique in Esk is hard to miss, thanks to its gorgeous frontage. Inside, the shop is bursting with great fashion, jewellery and accessories, all beautifully displayed and easy to browse. It's a lovely stop for a style refresh or a treat-yourself moment, and one of those places where you'll be unlikely to walk out empty handed!
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The Condensery | Toogoolawah
Nestled in the heart of Toogoolawah, The Condensery Gallery is an award-winning regional art gallery housed in the historic 1920s Nestlé condensed milk packing shed. The gallery hosts regular changing exhibitions, along with a program of artist talks, workshops and art making activities throughout the year. Click below to view the current program.
CLICK HERE
Picnic Society | Toogoolawah
Toogoolawah's Picnic society is a carefully curated cafe and retail store that specialises in picnic and providore ranges. The cafe is known for its own line of beautiful condiments including jams, chutneys and relishes. Beyond their pantry, you can also explore their retail range of picnic accessories including servingware, rugs and baskets. A great spot to stop for coffee, cake (or a French pastry!) and to stock up for you next charcuterie board.
CLICK HERE
The Exchange Hotel | Toogoolawah
This authentic country pub exudes old-world charm and is a popular stop for Brisbane Valley Rail rail cyclists and travellers. Serving up hearty pub meals, The Exchange Hotel will have a menu to suit all members of the family who will enjoy dining indoors or outside in the beer garden.
CLICK HERE
Other Markets to Explore in Somerset
Esk Country Markets
Every Saturday of each month | 7am to 12pm
Closed January
Pipeliner Park, Highland Street, Esk
Fernvale Country Markets
Every Sunday of each month | 6am to 12pm
Fernvale State School, Brisbane Valley Highway, Fernvale
Kilcoy Yowie Country Markets
Second and last Saturday of each month | 7am to 11.30am
Yowie Park, Hope Street, Kilcoy
Moore Hall Markets
Third Saturday of each month | 7am to 12pm
Moore Soldiers Memorial Hall, Main Street, Moore
Linville Country Markets
First Sunday of each month | 7am to 12pm
Closed December and January
Linville Hall, George Street, Linville
*Most Somerset Markets are held outdoors and are subject to cancellation during inclement weather. We recommend checking in with our friendly market operators prior to your visit.