If you love your macadamias, you might get to see a whole lot more in the future if the favourite nut expands to more of central Queensland.
If you take a drive through the sugar heartland of Mackay, you'll find plenty of cane paddocks and some cattle too but there is one thing you won't see so much of.
Hidden amongst the cane crops there are a handful of macadamia orchards and local growers believe there is potential for expansion.
The majority of Queensland's macadamias come from southern regions of the state, but amongst the tonnes that come in for processing there are a few north Queensland nuts already in the mix.
Eureka Macadamia general manager Kim Wilson looks after two properties in the region owned by Gray Plantations.
When establishing the plantations, Mr Wilson admitted there was some scepticism from surrounding farmers, but he is now seeing that attitude change.
"Now that we are harvesting crop and making some reasonable money... people are still looking over the fence but they are actually asking questions and showing interest."
He went on to say he has had conversations with more farmers wanting to know more about the macadamias.
Macadamia Society chief executive officer Jolyon Burnett has also seen that interest.
"We took one of our grower meetings to Mackay late last year [and] it was very well supported, we got over 30 people attending," he said.
Cane farmer plants orchard
About an hour south of Mackay is Graham Matsen, a cane farmer situated at Koumala.
A few years ago Mr Matsen travelled to Lismore in New South Wales to speak with growers and processors, after which he converted of some of his cane land to a macadamia orchard in 2006.
He said his trees offered extra security for his farming enterprise when times were tough in the sugar industry.
"The security of the price is something we have been very lucky with. We have been lucky enough to see $5 a kilo," he said.
"The stability of our market is a bit better, there a quite a few factories and all the factories approach you every year with their prices.
"It is really your decision then as to which factory [you choose], there is no pressure."
He has since found the trees have adjusted well to the humid and sometimes cyclonic conditions of the north.
To try and combat storm damage, Mr Matsen tried to develop stronger, thicker trunks to cope with the increased risk of cyclones.
"We didn't really let the trees get too high until the trunks were as thick as your wrists or better … to try and get the roots developed so they could handle a cyclone," Mr Matsen said.
During Cyclone Debbie of March 2017, while he did lose some trees and nut, Mr Matsen said his orchard coped well overall and expects a bumper crop this year.
Soil and isolation challenges
While all three men agree there is a bright future for macadamias in the Mackay region, there are some barriers to growth.
Soil is the big one.
"Up here there is huge potential [but] probably the thing that will limit the Mackay area is suitable soils. An old saying is that Macadamias do not like wet feet," Mr Wilson said.
"The soil must be well drained so not every single farm up here will be suitable, it is a matter of picking and choosing those farms."
Mr Burnett said more orchards were being established on sandy soils in areas like Emerald in Central Queensland, and production was going well.
"I think what is required is understanding how best to manage them and that may be different to how soils in traditional growing regions are managed."
Another concern is the isolation Mackay region growers can feel from industry experts and knowledge.
However, Mr Burnett said he was confident more support would be sent further north.
"Given that the interest is there, there is now a sufficient critical mass of growers, the Society certainly aims to be more visible in the region."
