Scenic Rim Eat Local Month: Here's what you need to know
High tea in the fields, Beechmont Estate
It’s finally here - Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is ready to fill cups and hearts throughout June as the country’s most authentic paddock-to-plate food and farming experience!
With over 120 events spread across June, including 40 long lunches, degustation's, and dinners, 23 workshops and classes, 37 tours and experiences, 53 meet-the-producer opportunities, and 50+ family-friendly options, there’s something for all tastes and budgets.
Not sure where to start? Here’s your guide to experiencing four culinary-forward, unique weekends of Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, including the signature event, Winter Harvest Festival, happening on the last weekend of June.
1-2 June: Discover ancient rainforests and incredible flavour makers
Kick off your Eat Local Month adventure on the first weekend (1-2 June) by visiting the picturesque towns and villages of Canungra, Tamborine Mountain and Beechmont.
Saturday 1 June
Start the morning at Growing the Forgotten Sound Way where you’ll discover the secrets of sustainable and 'beyond organic' farming at Forgotten Sound Farm at the base of Tamborine Mountain.
Then head up the mountain to experience modern amaro at The Loborn Tasting Bar or create your signature spirit at Tamborine Mountain Distillery, Australia's most awarded distillery.
Explore further with a short drive My Country Escape in the pretty town of Canungra for A Taste of Country and to meet some of their favourite local producers.
Finish up the day with family and friends at The Paddock Sunset Banquet and watch the sunset over the rolling Hills of Beechmont Estate.
Sunday 2 June
Start your day early at the North Stores Eat Local Market, Growers and Makers Day where you'll discover Tamborine Mountain's freshest, local and seasonal produce (P.S. The breakfast menu at Picnic Real Food Bar is sensational!).
Stay on the mountain and head to Witches Falls Winery for behind-the-scenes tours and Tacos and Tipples, featuring a relaxed afternoon of live music, wine, beer, cider and mouth-watering tacos prepared by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador, Josue Lopez.
Explore further afield and head down to Canungra where you have a choice of culinary experiences. There's the Longest Lunch at O'Reilly's perfectly positioned by Canungra Creek, or perhaps High Tea in the Fields at Beechmont Estate where an afternoon of culinary delights, live music and lawn games awaits.
On your travels make sure you explore the stunning Canungra region. It’s a wine lovers paradise with cellar doors like Sarabah Estate Vineyard and Albert River Wines with sprawling vineyards to roam and picturesque outlooks. O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard is another idyllic stopover with a charming homestead and cellar door surrounded by rows vines. While there, drop into neighbours, Mountview Alpaca Farm, where you can picnic with alpacas and snap an adorable selfie with these furry friends.
Where to stay
Whether you’re seeking luxury cabins or charming pavilions for the weekend, Beechmont Estate, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Binna Burra Lodge have you spoilt for choice. For accommodation of all sorts, check out Cedar Creek Lodges at Thunderbird Park, Avocado Sunset B&B and Country Mile Escape.
7-9 June: Discover small country towns and innovative farmers
Welcome to the second weekend (7-9 June), where you’ll discover a patchwork of paddocks, bordered by ancient volcanoes and some of the most fertile soils in the country, alongside innovative farmers and flavour creators.
Take a deep breath because this is one big flavour-packed long weekend!
Friday 7 June
Kick off the weekend with The Overflow Estate 1895 Long Lunch, a five-course culinary journey expertly prepared by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Olivier Boudon.
As the sun goes down, head to the Scenic Rim Twilight Markets at The Bowl where you can browse local produce and artisan stalls, enjoy live music and even a game of barefoot bowls!
Saturday 8 June
Start the morning with the Fermented Food Festival at Summer Land Camels. Here, you can enjoy a Farm Tour & Taste, meet and greets with the friendly camels, and of course, a selfie with the adorable animals.
For lunch, take a short drive to the pretty town of Kalbar for the Kalbar-BQ Gourmet Country Long Lunch cooked over fire and smoke, or travel a little further for an unforgettable culinary journey at the Homage Roaming Degustation.
Finish the day at The Roadvale Hotel in front of the cozy fire at the Roadvale Degustation, where six courses prepared by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Dan Groneberg and country hospitality await.
Sunday 9 June
Looking to connect with our local farmers? Don't miss the Harvest with the Farmer morning at Valley Pride Produce where you get to pick your own produce alongside fifth-generation farmers! Or take the kids to the Heritage Poultry Open Day where you can learn all about poultry farming!
For a 'chef-hatted' dining experience, travel up to Spicers Peak Lodge for their Eat Local Long Lunch and enjoy sweeping views of the Scenic Rim.
If a picnic is more your style, relax with an afternoon of live music, local beers and wines at Picnic in the Pavilion at The Vue. Or get hands-on at Secrets of the Scenic Rim, where you will gather fresh veggies, bush tucker, and get creative with Caz from Scenic Rim Cooking Classes.
Where to stay
When you’re all tuckered out and ready to pack it in for the night, there’s plenty of nearby accommodation to choose from for weekend two of Eat Local Month. If you’re looking to stay in style, then book the idyllic Mount French Lodge just outside Boonah. For a charming cottage stay try Milford Country Cottages or The Old Church Bed & Breakfast. Adventurers can also enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing luxury at Ketchup’s Bank Glamping and Moogie Pod and Moogie Glamp.
21-23 June: Discover the heart of the Scenic Rim
Explore the heart of the Scenic Rim on the fourth weekend (21-23 June), where ancient rainforests meet paddocks. Visit local wineries like The Overflow Estate 1895 and Barney Creek Vineyard Cottages for a tipple and a taste of true paddock-to-plate goodness.
Friday 21 June
Returning for another indulgent event, enjoy a leisurely afternoon by Lake Wyaralong The Overflow Estate 1895 Long Lunch, curated by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Olivier Boudon, featuring five impeccable courses and an unbeatable backdrop.
Saturday 22 June
Kickstart your day with the Growing Root Crops Workshop at Oaky Creek Farm, and learn all about ginger, garlic and turmeric.
Finish the day back at Lake Wyaralong for the Sunset Session at The Overflow Estate 1895, an unforgettable afternoon of great music headlined by country music sensation Laura Frank, local food, the Estate’s signature wine, and breathtaking sunset views.
Sunday 23 June
Embark on an all-day vegetarian campfire cooking adventure at the Campfire Lunch and Nature Immersion in the Forest. Nestled atop the mountains overlooking the Scenic Rim, local guide Tatiana will elevate your campfire cooking skills and introduce you to the Wild Mountains Nature Refuge.
Or let Wilde Foods take you on a Native Foods Tasting Tour of their property, where you will learn about forest transformation and regeneration and sustainable land practices while savouring the flavours of native Australia.
Where to stay
Farm stay lovers this is your nirvana – try the 6th generation Tommerup’s Dairy Farm, Ladybrook Farm Escape, Worendo Cottages, Eighteen Mile Cottage and Homestead, or Cedar Glen Farm Stay. Or venture over to Wander at The Overflow Estate 1895 for an extraordinary self-contained pod accommodation, overlooking the lake and mountainous backdrop.
Winter Harvest Wonders at Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
Save the best for last! Mark your calendars for the last weekend (28-30 June) as the charming country town of Kalbar comes alive for a full program of harvest festivities!
28-30 June: Make the most of the final weekend
Friday 28 June
This new extended weekend kicks off with a Friday night Harvest Dinner at The Roadvale Hotel, the region’s first gastro-pub under the culinary direction of Scenic Rim Food Ambassador and Head Chef Daniel Groneberg.
Saturday 29 June
The highlight of the weekend, Winter Harvest Festival offers the ultimate farm gate experience on a platter. Meet the farmers, producers, growers and food curators who grow for your table, and for your favourite restaurants. This is where you meet the faces behind the flavours, and where you can talk to multi-generational farmers and growers, jam-makers, cheesemakers, picklers, bakers, butchers and brewers.
Of course, there’s lots of tasting amid the talking! Featuring over 60 stalls plus workshops, classes and cooking demonstrations by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador chefs, the event this year is surrounded by a spectacular patchwork of paddocks for which Kalbar is so famed. You can actually see where the produce has been grown.
After the festivities of the Winter Harvest Festival, kick on with the locals at the Harvest Hoedown, featuring live performances by the region’s country music star Laura Frank.
Sunday 30 June
Then, to wrap up the month, start your day bright and early at Valley Pride Produce, where fifth-generation farmers welcome you to harvest fresh, local, and seasonal goodies right from their farm. Later, head over to The Progressive Paddock at Scenic Rim Farm Shop & Café, hosted by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Ash Martin, for a unique roving culinary experience.
Where to stay
For picturesque cottage retreats, stay at the likes of Herrmann House or Lumiere Farmhouse. Modern elegance elevates these charming stays while staying true to their country roots with cosy nooks, fireplaces and, of course, stunning landscape views. Or for a truly unique stay, head to Olive View Estate, an operating olive grove with the option of a full cottage accommodation or camping amongst the olive trees for the self-sufficient traveller.
With such a delicious lineup of events, it's essential to plan your trip in advance. Gather your loved ones, prepare your appetite, book your accommodation and secure your tickets for this unforgettable celebration of local produce and flavours.
Bon appétit.
