With Dr Hope O’Chin (Kabi Kabi, Wakka Wakka)
The Hope Dreaming Information Centre has made a wonderful debut on the Sunshine Coast. It’s the first Centre of its kind here – and possibly in Australia – combining an information hub with an art gallery and cultural space that celebrates First Nations arts and crafts.
Alongside the gallery, the Centre also hosts the Gathaa Markets every six weeks or so, with stalls featuring bush tucker, arts, crafts, and handmade goods from First Nations makers.
Word is spreading, and visitor numbers continue to grow. The Centre runs entirely on the generosity of volunteers – people who simply want to welcome visitors, share local knowledge, and lend a hand. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, we’d love to have you join us! Shifts run mornings (9:30am–12:30pm) and afternoons (12:30–3pm).
Our volunteers are joined by First Nations volunteers who help deliver Kabi-Kabi cultural activities, workshops, and talks on arts, history, heritage, language, and more. The gallery rotates exhibitions, offering First Nations artists a chance to showcase their work – the current exhibition, Saltwater Dreaming, captures the coastal lifestyle of our region.
The Centre also hosts workshops and in-service sessions for community groups. One of the first brought together volunteers from Mapleton and Glass House Information Centres – a great day of shared stories and experiences. Even on rainy days, families and travellers continue to drop by, with kids especially loving the storytime sessions.
We’re also on the lookout for a cook or chef to help reopen Triballink Treats, our much-missed mobile kitchen that served great coffee and bush tucker-inspired snacks.
The Hope Dreaming Centre is here for everyone – a welcoming space to connect, learn, and celebrate culture. Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, 7 Caloundra Road, Caloundra.
