INTRODUCTION TO THE SCENIC RIM

Welcome to the Scenic Rim

Welcome to the Scenic Rim. Here you’ll find bigger skies, fresh country air and places that feel impossible to leave – all only an hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast in southeast Queensland.

As you explore our magnificent mountain ranges and mystical Gondwana rainforests, discovering idyllic country towns nestled in sweeping green valleys, you’ll soon come to realise what locals have long known: that life’s greatest luxuries are found in its simplest pleasures. Here you’ll find the space and stillness to slow down, to breathe a little deeper, to connect with country and nature, and to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. 

With six national parks, three lakes and World Heritage–protected subtropical rainforest, it’s no surprise the Scenic Rim is home to famous ecotourism pioneers at Tamborine Mountain, Mount Barney National Park and Lamington National Park. Visitors are spoilt for choice with walking trails to waterfalls, flower farms and botanic gardens to stroll through, and many places to get up close and personal with alpacas, camels and other farm animals. For a hit of adrenaline, take to the air in a hot-air balloon, helicopter, hang-glider or para-glider. For a slower paced outing, have a round of golf at one of the region’s five golf courses, or hit the lakes for boating, kayaking, fishing or waterskiing.

After time spent enjoying the many outdoor pursuits on offer, there are countless places to linger over award-winning local produce at the region’s restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries. Or why not escape from the world a little longer without sacrificing any creature comforts at eco-retreats, luxury resorts, farm stays, Queenslander-style holiday houses and cottages, or glamping and camp sites?

The region’s fertile farmland make it an essential food bowl for the east coast of Australia, and local farms are renowned for their variety of seasonal produce and award-wining gourmet delights. The towns of Tamborine Mountain, Boonah and Beaudesert, and the villages of Canungra, Rathdowney and Kalbar are prime places to enjoy fresh local produce and taste locally made wines, spirits and brews, to stroll through unique stores and galleries with works by local artists, and to explore cultural and historical delights.

The ancient and rugged peaks of a range of mountains that dominate the skyline of this magnificent region are the remains of an ancient volcano that erupted 24 million years ago. The stories, rituals and traditions of the Scenic Rim’s Indigenous inhabitants are intertwined with the natural environment and highlight their connection to a living landscape. The region is the traditional home of the Yugambeh and Jagera language groups: the Wangerriburra to the east, the Mununjali people in the centre and the Ugurapul to the west. 

With such great natural beauty comes a shared responsibility to preserve it, and this region proudly leads the way in sustainable travel. The Scenic Rim is only the twelfth region in Australia to achieve Eco Destination certification, meeting the rigorous global best-practice standards of Ecotourism Australia. Lasting sustainability initiatives are embedded within the local community and landscape, ensuring the region’s character and priceless natural heritage are protected for the future enjoyment, appreciation and wellbeing of visitors and locals. 

Wine and Dine

As one of Australia’s premier food bowls, the Scenic Rim is renowned for its seasonal produce. From food festivals to chef-hatted restaurants and globally awarded distilleries, the region is a paradise for those who value fresh produce and enjoy delicious meals and drinks made with love.

From Tamborine Mountain and Beechmont in the east, to Boonah and Kalbar in the west, visitors are spoilt for choice with towns and vineyards hosting chef-hatted restaurants, idyllic cafes, historic pubs, wineries, distilleries and breweries, along with country weekend markets where the freshest local produce can be found. 

Held throughout June each year, Scenic Rim’s celebrated Eat Local Month is Australia’s most authentic paddock-to-plate, food and farming celebration. With over 100 events – from cooking classes and on-farm workshops to exclusive dining experiences hosted by some of Queensland’s finest chefs – Eat Local Month is a celebration of the producers and food stories of the region, culminating with the finale and signature event, the Winter Harvest Festival at the end of the month. Whether you’re after leisurely long lunches, exclusive meet-the-producer experiences or a family-friendly excursion, Eat Local Month has you covered.

For an ultimate backstage pass to the region’s farms, why not taste your way around the region on the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail. Held only a few times a year, the Farm Gate Trail is your chance to hit the road with your appetite and empty esky and venture beyond the farm-gate to stock up on farm-fresh produce from over 20 of the local producers who make the region so special. Here you’ll find a wealth of fresh veggies, artisanal meat and dairy goods, local wines, boutique spirits and beers, honey straight from the hive, plants and flowers, and much more.

 Nature Lovers, Rejoice

For those craving an immersion in nature, it doesn’t get better than this. Surrounded by rugged mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes and ancient Gondwana rainforests, the Scenic Rim is a natural wonderland for visitors. The region’s six national parks and diverse natural environments – from rainforests and waterfalls to lakes and rugged mountains – are strong drawcards for visitors seeking to immerse themselves in nature without the hassle of travelling far from the city. 

Four national parks in the Scenic Rim are part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia and are UNESCO World Heritage listed. Lamington National Park, home to the famous Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s retreats, Main Range National Park, Mount Chinghee National Park and Mt Barney National Park are living links to Australia’s ancient past and provide protection for a diverse range of forests and woodlands, heaths and rocky outcrops. These unique ecosystems include the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world, large areas of warm temperate rainforest and nearly all surviving Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. Along with Tamborine National Park and Moogerah Peaks National Park, these areas are well-known for their exceptional biological diversity, abundant natural beauty and steep and rugged mountain ranges.

The region is home to hundreds of kilometres of short walks and longer hiking trails. To the east, the popular Tamborine and Lamington National Parks provide access to magnificent cool, high-altitude, moss-covered rainforest. To the west, the Mount Barney and Main Range National Parks offer more tranquil, rugged and rural settings. 

Outdoor adventures are by no means limited to the national parks; many other natural areas provide amazing opportunities for rock climbers and abseilers, hang-gliders, mountain bikers and four-wheel drivers. 

The area’s two large lakes at Moogerah and Maroon in the west of the region are popular destinations for lovers of water sports and fishing, while the more central Lake Wyaralong and many local waterways offer a more laid-back experience. 

Visitors to the Scenic Rim will benefit from a range of tourist guides and operators who are strongly committed to sustainable tourism. Over a dozen of the region’s tourism businesses have Ecotourism Certification with Ecotourism Australia, including ecotourism pioneers Binna Burra Lodge, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Mount Barney Lodge. 

Shop Local

The Scenic Rim’s town centres and village main streets are perfect for one-of-a-kind finds and for the fresh food and gourmet treats that make a visit memorable. 

After cruising Tamborine Mountain’s meandering country roads – with breathtaking views both inland and out to the Gold Coast – stop at the famous Gallery Walk for some retail therapy, where its artisan shops and galleries offer a captivating blend of old- and new-world charm. Then head to nearby Main Street for top-notch bakeries, cafes and eateries. 

Venture further west within the Scenic Rim to explore clothing and artisan boutiques, and local produce stores in Canungra, Beaudesert, Boonah and Kalbar.

The Scenic Rim’s bustling market scene – with country markets held every weekend throughout the region – provides an opportunity to connect with local artisans and providores in a friendly, intimate atmosphere. Enjoy offerings ranging from arts and crafts to locally grown produce, browsing stalls filled with homemade pickles, jams, spreads and suchlike or other unique wares like jewellery, art, beauty products and vintage treasures. 

The region is blessed with award-winning wineries, distilleries and breweries where you can sample a drop, or pick up a bottle or two to take home with you – the perfect way to cap off a weekend away.

Art and Culture

The Scenic Rim, a region steeped in heritage and significance, invites visitors to steep themselves in its culture, which is a unique blend of its natural history, traditional cultures and creative community. The region holds a deep respect for its Indigenous heritage and the traditional lands of the Mununjali people around Beaudesert, the Ugarapul people around Boonah, and the Wanggeriburra people in the Canungra and Tamborine Mountain area, as well as for all the peoples of the Yugambeh and Jagera language groups.

The Scenic Rim truly lives up to its name – coined by adventurer and naturalist Arthur Groom in the mid-1900s – with stunning mountains that circle the fertile valleys and landscapes below. Beyond these natural wonders, however, artistic, cultural and historic ties are on display at numerous attractions, museums, performance venues, galleries and public art installations scattered throughout the region. Explore the historical museums in Beaudesert, Tamborine Mountain, Rathdowney, Templin and Harrisville, and visit the cultural and community centres in Beaudesert, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain for exhibitions, movies and live performances.

The farming heritage of the region is celebrated in June every year at the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular, where the gentle giants of the horse world are hailed as the breed that built the nation. See the champions of the breed judged, soak up some Scottish heritage, witness the skilled trades of harness-making, whip-plaiting and more, watch the Queensland Whip-Cracking Championship, and check out working dog displays, bush poetry, wood chopping and much more. This is a country event like no other, and definitely not one to be missed.

Accessibility

The Scenic Rim is a big, beautiful region and we are dedicated to creating a safe, accessible and enjoyable environment for everyone, regardless of age, ability or background.

The region’s venues and experience providers understand the importance of accessibility and actively strive to ensure all visitors can participate and enjoy what’s on offer by providing wheelchair accessibility, accessible parking, welcoming guide dogs and assistance animals, and accepting companion cards whenever possible. Please check with individual businesses to confirm accessibility prior to visiting.