Discover the highlights of Queensland’s Scenic Rim with these 8 incredible activities

The stunning volcanic landscape southwest of Brisbane inspired early 20th-century writer Arthur Groom to name it the Scenic Rim. Thanks to Groom’s dedication to conservation, the surrounding national parks continue to attract visitors to this agricultural hub.

Here’s how to maximize your visit to one of Australia’s premier travel spots, where sustainability is at the heart of the experience – be sure to check out these amazing activities.

Put on your hiking boots for the Scenic Rim Trail

Winding through a rainforest-covered ridgeline in Main Range National Park, the Scenic Rim Trail is Queensland’s top multi-day hike. Created by Jude Turner, founder of Spicers Retreats, this 29-mile (47km) trek takes four days and traverses World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, offering breathtaking views of the Scenic Rim’s farmlands along the route.

The guided Spicers experience features luxurious eco-lodge accommodations nestled away from the main trail, paired with gourmet meals. In contrast, the public Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service campsites are very basic. However, with camping costing only AUD$7.25 per person per night, hiking the trail independently is quite economical.

Alternatively, explore one of the many other hiking routes

The Scenic Rim’s six national parks are interconnected by hundreds of miles of trails, ranging from short rainforest walks to full-day hikes. Lamington National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests, boasts the most extensive trail system, with various paths leading to waterfalls, koala habitats, and more from its two main access points: Binna Burra and Green Mountains.

Main Range National Park also offers a variety of day hike options (most trails start at Cunninghams Gap, where the Scenic Rim Trail concludes), along with enjoyable family-friendly walks in Tamborine National Park (try the easy Curtis Falls Track) and a challenging ascent to the summit of Mount Barney (4,442 ft/1,354 m) in Mount Barney National Park.

Retreat to Tamborine Mountain

With everything from cellar doors and rainforest adventures to farmers' markets and art galleries, Tamborine Mountain offers a plethora of activities in its verdant, cool hills. Many visitors opt for a weekend getaway, but with just a 45-minute drive from the Gold Coast and an hour from Brisbane, this accessible corner of the Scenic Rim is perfect for day trips.

Begin your day with coffee or brunch at Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation, where the beans are sourced just meters away. Explore the trails of Tamborine National Park or take in the rainforest views at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. Later, sample Scenic Rim wines at Witches Falls, one of the region’s premier wineries, or enjoy spirits from Tamborine Mountain Distillery or Cauldron Distillery. For a stress-free day, let Kiff & Culture handle your gourmet tours from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Traveling with adventurous kids? They’ll enjoy the high ropes courses and searching for thunder eggs (volcanic spheres filled with crystals) at ThunderBird Park.

Embark on a self-guided winery tour

Beyond Tamborine Mountain, the emerging Scenic Rim wine region boasts numerous wineries, starting with O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, where you can enjoy tastings alongside alpaca selfies at the nearby Mountview Alpaca Farm. Just a short drive away, Sarabah Estate features a cellar door, bistro, and bar. Other wineries in the area with cellar doors include Albert River Wines, The Overflow Estate 1895, Bunjurgen Estate, and Kooromba Vineyard and Lavender Farm. Even if wine isn’t on your agenda, the scenic country roads connecting these vineyards are a delight to drive.

Enjoy craft beer with a unique twist

Craft beer is thriving in the Scenic Rim, with Fortitude Brewing Co. offering its award-winning brews in Tamborine Mountain. Don’t miss the Scenic Rim Brewery at Mt Alford, located in a heritage-listed general store. This small, family-run brewery serves delicious beers with playful names like Shazza, a mid-strength ale full of character, alongside some of Queensland’s best pub food. Wendy Webster’s Dutch heritage shines through in her home-style dishes that complement head brewer husband Mike’s beers—think bitterballen (Dutch-style beef croquettes), authentic bratwurst hotdogs, and even a Dutch-style ice cream sandwich.

Explore a pioneering camel ranch

Former cattle farmer Paul Martin is dedicated to demonstrating the potential of Australian dromedaries in regenerative and sustainable farming at Summer Land Camels in Harrisville. Here, you can feed and ride once-wild camels or enjoy the unique agricultural landscape from the café’s veranda. Housed in a historic Queenslander homestead, the café offers a variety of delectable camel-milk products, from superfood salads topped with camel feta to camel meatball fettuccine. Don't miss out on the camel-milk gelato.

Camel milk, revered since ancient Egyptian times for its health benefits, is also featured in the farm’s wide array of skincare products available for purchase.

Indulge in a lengthy lunch focused on local produce

If you can’t attend Scenic Rim Eat Local Week, the region’s winter harvest festival, the next best way to taste the bounty of its fertile basalt soils is at the Scenic Rim's selection of farm-to-table restaurants. Notable options include the two-hatted Homage restaurant at Spicers Hidden Vale in Grandchester, which employs zero-waste practices such as pickling, fermenting, and dehydrating imperfect produce, and Koroomba Kitchen, where you can savor local dishes like Warrill Creek beef carpaccio while overlooking lavender fields, or lavender- and honey-glazed duck leg with braised red cabbage and local greens.

Enhancing the local culinary scene is the newly opened The Paddock Restaurant at Beechmont Estate, where executive chef Simon Furley (formerly head chef at Homage) showcases the region’s finest produce in casual fine-dining fare, which may feature honey sourced from the estate’s beehives.

Reserve a memorable stay at an eco-lodge

The Scenic Rim is famous for its eco-lodges, notably the beloved Binna Burra Lodge, which has reopened since its historic lodge was sadly lost in the 2019–2020 bushfires, and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, both nestled adjacent to Lamington National Park.

Recent additions include the luxurious Beechmont Estate, a chic country retreat encouraging guests to unwind and engage with the region’s agricultural heritage through various activities like kitchen garden tours and cocktail-making workshops. Further west, five tiny house-style 'WanderPods' offer stunning views of tranquil Lake Wyaralong and are conveniently located near The Overflow Estate 1895, known for its exceptional Vermentino.

Additionally, Nightfall Camp sets the standard for rainforest glamping, Spicers Hidden Vale combines gourmet dining with accommodations in heritage cottages, and Mt Barney Lodge provides rustic, eco-friendly lodging at the entrance to Mount Barney National Park, which is well-loved by kangaroos.