From city to serenity

Relax and breathe in the crisp country air as you hit the highway and head out of the city. Enjoy cruising long, flat roads through wide, open spaces, surrounded by cows and crops and ringed by distant mountains. Depending on where your journey takes you, you may also encounter a few short gravel roads, some winding stretches and the occasional bumpy stock grid. 

Go with the flow 

Take the opportunity to slow down and explore at your leisure. Make some rough plans before you hit the road but build in flexibility so you can linger longer when you find a spot that deserves a little more time. Don’t rush … the Scenic Rim dates back to prehistoric times and isn’t going anywhere soon.

Step back in time 

Generations of families continue to farm on the Scenic Rim. Check out the Harrisville Historical Society Museum for a glimpse of the region’s rich history and an insight into the vital role of its local farmers and producers. For decades, the Scenic Rim has produced the likes of beef, pork, poultry and a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. Today, food producers have expanded their repertoire to offer organic produce, cheese, wine, craft beer and gourmet condiments.   

Snap a souvenir 

Have your phone or camera at the ready, as every twist and turn in the road will reveal another photo opportunity. If you time your visit for sunrise or sunset, you’ll be rewarded with a glorious range of subtle colours to frame your picture-postcard vistas. Snap a sea of vivid yellow during the Kalbar Sunflower Festival in March, bathe your images in the lush greenery of Lamington National Park or scamper up the summit at Mt Barney for endless vistas. 

Savour sweet treats 

The Pennell family has kept the Scenic Rim in baked goods since the 1930s. Its original Arthur Clive’s Family Bakehouse opened in Boonah with a further two now serving hot bread, cakes and pies in Aratula and Kalbar. Arthur Clive’s bakes old-fashioned bakery treats with a modern twist, from flaky pastries stuffed with seasonal ingredients to wild fermented sourdough loaves. You can also pick up items from Scenic Rim producers including sauces, jams and sweets. 

Indulge in luxury 

Spoil yourself with a unique indulgence you can only experience in the Scenic Rim. The Escarpment Retreat on Mt Tamborine is set on four acres of botanical gardens with a flowing stream, waterfall and cliff views as far as the coast. It is also home to a luxe Day Spa where you can book a massage, facial or complete Time Out Treatment. Continue your Scenic Rim self-care journey to Summer Land Camels and stock up on its range of all-natural camel milk skincare or pick up a bottle of its Camel Milk & Honey Vodka to take home. 

Boating and bushwalking 

Combine these two great day trip activities at one of the many lakes and dams dotting the region. Lake Moogerah is only a stone’s skim from Arthur Clive’s Aratula bakery – talk about a perfect picnic combination – and offers picture-postcard views from the lookout and picnic area above the lake. It’s a popular spot for boating, bushwalking and fishing, although a licence is required.  

A little further south is Lake Maroon, one of Queensland’s most popular places for sailing, fishing, water skiing, parasailing and paddle boating. It is also a great place to stop and rest after tackling one of the bushwalking or mountain biking trails at nearby Mount Barney or Mount Maroon.  

Wyaralong Dam in the region’s north is not only a great place for picnics and waterplay but also home to The Overflow Estate 1895. The restaurant, vineyard and cellar door are perched on the shore of the dam offering exquisite views to match its seasonal modern menu and extensive wine list, making it an idyllic lunch destination. 

Enjoy lunch at a country pub 

Steve and Monika Patrick bought and refurbished The Royal Hotel at Harrisville in 2011, cementing its reputation as an authentic country pub. Its wide veranda offers a peaceful rural outlook and the perfect spot for a cold drink on a hot day. The Patricks serve up warm hospitality and their latest project involves transforming four old railway carriages into unique hotel rooms.  

The Dugandan Hotel just south of Boonah is the quintessential country pub with local beers and wines, friendly service and an extensive menu ranging from your traditional pub fare to hearty country classics. It’s hard to go past the loaded parmy menu if you’re looking to fill your belly. Enjoy picturesque views of the Scenic Rim from the deck and beer garden or sit in the public bar and have a yarn with the locals. 

Hungry for more? Try The Royal Hotel at Kalbar, The Canungra Hotel, The Bearded Dragon Hotel at Tamborine, The Beaudesert Hotel, the Mount Alford Hotel and Roadvale’s Roadie Hotel. 

Go nuts for macadamias 

Greenlee Farm and Cottages owners Paul and Robyn Lee refer to themselves as “accidental farmers”. After a career in the mining industry, the couple bought 28 hectares in the Canungra Valley, planted 500 macadamia trees and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, the price of the tasty nuts plummeted so they started roasting and packing their product to maximise returns. It was a wise move and business has boomed. The Lees also keep bees to pollinate the macadamia trees and sell jars of raw honey alongside their macadamia products in local shops and wineries as well as markets and festivals. 

Stop and smell the lavender 

Situated in the Fassifern Valley at Mt Alford, Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm is surrounded by the distant peaks of the Scenic Rim. The cellar door, Kooroomba Kitchen restaurant and lavender shop are open Wednesdays to Sundays and stock products ranging from lavender-infused teddy bears to cosmetics to homemade jams and honey. All wines available at the cellar door are produced from grapes grown on the property.