MACADAMIAS AUSTRALIA

Welcome to Macadamias Australia

Prepare yourself for a feast of the senses at Macadamias Australia, just minutes from central Bundaberg. Visiting Macadamias Australia is an engaging and immersive journey, during which visitors can explore the story behind sustainable macadamia farming, witness elements of industry-leading production practices and indulge in our wide range of macadamia products. Stroll through our picturesque orchard, relax on our manicured lawns, treat yourself to a dedicated tasting session and visit our farm-inspired cafe serving gourmet local produce.

Macadamias Australia is a family-owned and operated business with a rich history spanning over six decades. Founded in 1958 by Ron and Marion Steinhardt, our journey began on a humble patch of land, where hard work and dedication to the soil laid the foundation for what would become an important contributor to the macadamia industry in Bundaberg. Today, the second and third generations of the Steinhardt family continue this legacy, blending tradition with innovation to produce some of the finest macadamia products enjoyed worldwide.

Whether you’re enjoying our premium nuts at home or enjoying an immersive visit to Macadamias Australia, we invite you to be part of a story rooted in family, regional pride and a deep respect for the land.

A Legacy of Hard Work, Gratitude and Family

Macadamias Australia is a testament to the resilience, dedication and vision of its founders, Ron and Marion. In 1958, Ron began clearing and cultivating a small, uncleared parcel of land in Bundaberg, living in a simple shed with three walls while building the home he would later share with Marion once they married. The early years were challenging, but through tireless effort and a commitment to the land, Ron laid the foundations of a business that now spans generations.

What began as a small-scale farm producing peanuts, corn and vegetables has evolved over the decades into a flourishing business. As the years passed, the Steinhardt family expanded their operations, moving into large-scale macadamia production. Today, under the stewardship of the second and third generations, the business continues to thrive, embodying the same principles of family unity and gratitude that Ron and Marion instilled in their children.

The Steinhardt family remains committed to responsible farming, environmental stewardship and community engagement. Working side-by-side, just as their parents did, Janelle and Andrew continue to build a sustainable future while sharing their premium, single-origin macadamias with customers around the world. Their journey is one of perseverance and gratitude, values best expressed by Ron himself in his 2014 memoir, A Journey through Life:

”It all starts with what Marion would say: have an attitude of gratitude! Each day of our lives we took every opportunity to consolidate, be thankful, to plan and not be frightened of getting our hands dirty… Life is not meant to be easy, but we must acknowledge how blessed we are.”

With these words as their guiding philosophy, Janelle and Andrew continue to uphold their parents’ legacy, ensuring that Macadamias Australia remains a bastion of quality, sustainability and innovation for generations to come.

Macadamias Australia: A Must-Visit Destination

Visiting Macadamias Australia is a truly immersive experience, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of a multigenerational family farm in Bundaberg. From tree to table, guests will witness firsthand the passion and dedication behind the cultivation of premium, single-origin macadamias. Whether indulging in gourmet macadamia-infused cuisine, embarking on an educational farm tour or taking part in unique events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The Orchard Table: a Culinary Delight

The journey begins along a picturesque pathway through lush macadamia orchards and ends with a sensory feast at The Orchard Table. This cafe offers a selection of handcrafted macadamia-inspired dishes, showcasing the rich flavours of the nut in both sweet and savoury creations. Chill out with a scoop of locally made macadamia gelato or unwind with a sweet macadamia treat accompanied by freshly brewed barista coffee. There’s also a licensed bar if you’re in the mood for bubbles or your favourite tipple!

Guided Tours: from Tree to Table

For a deeper dive into the world of macadamia farming, Macadamias Australia offers an insightful guided tour, on which you will learn about the fascinating journey of macadamias – from planting and harvesting to processing in the state-of-the-art production facility. Product tasting is an experience you won’t soon forget. Each tasting includes a description of the product’s unique qualities, from the buttery, slightly crunchy roasted nuts to rich macadamia spreads. This sensory experience allows everyone to truly savour the essence of macadamias through touch, taste and smell. Pre-booking is essential to secure a spot on this engaging experience.

Events & the Farmgate Shop

Throughout the year, Macadamias Australia hosts a variety of seasonal events, providing an opportunity to enjoy macadamia-infused food, and a selection of drinks and entertainment in the stunning orchard setting. Signature experiences include high tea, featuring bottomless Tielka tea, an assortment of scrumptious sweet and savoury treats and a guided macadamia tasting that includes an optional glass of sparkling wine. Other events, such as brunch specials, Easter egg hunts and farm picnics, create a memorable outing for families and food lovers alike.

A visit wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the Farmgate Shop, where you can explore the full range of single-origin macadamia flavours, gourmet hampers and locally sourced artisan products. You’ll be amazed and tempted by the huge variety of flavours – from honey-roasted to sweet chilli to lemon myrtle, and of course the classic macadamias coated with dark, milk and white chocolate. Whether taking home a taste of Bundaberg or selecting the perfect gift, the shop offers something special for every macadamia enthusiast.

An Immersive Experience

As you arrive at Macadamias Australia, you are immediately embraced by the fresh, earthy aromas of the surrounding orchards. The air carries the gentle scent of macadamia blossoms, blended with sun-warmed soil and the faint hint of roasting nuts drifting from the processing facility. A pathway leads you through the rows of macadamia trees as they sway softly in the breeze. The rustling of leaves and the occasional calls of native birds set a tranquil, welcoming atmosphere, immersing guests in the farm’s natural beauty.

As you come closer to the visitor centre and hear the soft hum of equipment from the production facility, you’ll begin to feel the living energy of the farm. The crisp outdoor air gives way to the rich, nutty warmth of roasting macadamias. The steady purr of sorting machines and the rhythmic cracking of shells convey both efficiency and craftsmanship, beginning your behind-the-scenes insight into how the raw nuts you’ve seen in the orchard are transformed into premium macadamia products.

Our friendly staff give guests a warm welcome as they enter the interactive tour area, where the journey from tree to table truly begins. Flanking the entrance, beautifully crafted wooden pillars are adorned with our self-guided tour information, providing guests with deeper insight into the fascinating world of macadamia farming. The interior of the visitor centre is finished in warm, natural timbers, with a stunning spiral wooden staircase centrepiece. Here, you’ll have the chance to handle raw macadamia nuts, feeling their smooth, hard shells before attempting to crack them open. The hands-on experience continues in the orchard itself, where you’ll try out a hand-held macadamia harvester – often affectionately referred to by visitors as a “nut forager” – used to collect fallen macadamias from the ground.

The journey continues with a stop at the farm’s native stingless bee habitat. Though these bees are small and harmless, their presence is vital to the orchard’s ecosystem: not only do they pollinate, they also keep pests to a minimum. Run your hands over the wooden hive structures, feeling their smooth, hand-crafted surfaces while listening to the quiet buzz of the bees at work. 

Sustainability: Our Commitment to the Future

At Macadamias Australia, sustainability is at the core of everything we do, ensuring that our farming and processing methods nurture both the environment and future generations. Our carbon-negative accreditation reflects a decade of dedicated soil regeneration, where organic matter and natural meadows between our macadamia trees capture carbon, enrich the land and support a thriving ecosystem of microorganisms. These regenerative practices not only enhance soil health but also contribute to long-term tree productivity, reinforcing our commitment to responsible farming.

Our closed-loop energy system further reduces our environmental impact by repurposing macadamia shells as a renewable energy source. Instead of relying on fossil fuels, we use these shells to generate heat for drying, power for processing and bio-char – a carbon-rich byproduct returned to the orchard soil to enhance fertility. This approach ensures that our production remains highly efficient, reducing CO₂ emissions and minimising waste at every stage.

Pollination plays a key role in our sustainable practices and we work with both honey bees and native stingless bees to naturally pollinate our orchards. By rescuing and rehoming native bees from land-clearing areas and encouraging non-invasive breeding methods, we not only enhance pollination efficiency but also contribute to local biodiversity. Our low-chemical farming methods ensure that these pollinators thrive, supporting a balanced and healthy ecosystem.

Beyond the farm itself, our collaboration with the Macadamia Conservation Trust has led to the creation of a genetic preservation arboretum, housing over 600 macadamia trees, including endangered species. This initiative protects macadamia biodiversity for future generations while supporting industrywide sustainability efforts.

At Macadamias Australia, our long-term vision is to continually reduce our carbon footprint, enhance tree health and help to establish industry-leading environmental practices. By choosing our premium, single-origin macadamias, our customers support a farm that prioritises sustainability, innovation and responsible land management, ensuring that our orchards remain thriving and productive for generations to come.

Accessibility

At Macadamias Australia, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all visitors. 

While public bus routes do not service the area, visitors can access Macadamias Australia via taxi or rideshare services. Parking, including accessible parking spaces, is on a sealed surface and located close to the entrance for easy access. A sealed pathway leads from the parking area to wide, automatic doorways allow easy entry.

Our experience is wheelchair- and pram-accessible, with wide, sealed, uncluttered pathways leading through the visitor centre, cafe and processing facility. Seating is available for the comfort of guests participating in tastings. An accessible bathroom is located within the visitor experience centre. While the outdoor orchard area contains some uneven ground, wheelchairs and prams can usually navigate through most areas. 

Macadamias Australia welcomes service dogs and there is a large grassy area near the car park available for toileting service animals.

Our staff, who have been trained to welcome guests with access needs, are always ready to assist anyone who may require additional support.If you have specific accessibility needs or require additional support during your visit, please contact us in advance so we can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for you. We strive to improve accessibility and inclusivity across all aspects of our visitor experience, and welcome feedback from our visitors.