SCENIC RIM, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

 SCENIC RIM

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

JULY 2022

According to the Lonely Planet, Queensland's Scenic Rim is one of the hottest places to visit in 2022. Located in south-east Queensland, it is surrounded by a volcanic mountain range which forms part of the Great Dividing Range. It includes National Parks and conservation reserves including World Heritage Sites. It supports endangered bird populations and offers a range of activities for tourists.

On this adventure we were a brood of four adults. We departed Brisbane by car mid-morning and reached the Tamborine Mountain Gallery Walk in a little over an hour. Located on Long Road, the street boasts over 70 specialty shops offering locally made produce and gifts. 

We stopped for lunch at the Fortitude Brewing Co. which can also be found on Long Street, next to the Tamborine Cheese factory and shop. 

The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is privately owned and a special way of seeing the rainforest canopies. The 1.5km return walk traverses a combination of forest floor trails and high-tech steel bridges.

The cantilever bridge is 30m
above the creek and rainforest below

Binna Burra is in the Lamington National Park and is bounded by the QLD and NSW border. Binna Burra Lodge has a selection of accommodation types from Safari Tents and campsites to the Sky Lodges showcasing stunning views over the National Park. Dining is available at both the Binna Burra Teahouse and Grooms Cottage or you can pre-order a BBQ pack from the Teahouse and use the free cooking facilities throughout the National Park.

Binna Burra Sky Lodges

Balcony view - Binna Burra Sky Lodges

Grooms Cottage is the original dwelling of Arthur Groom and his family and is one of the last remaining heritage listed buildings at Binna Burra. In 2019 the Binna Burra Lodge was razed to the ground by devastating fires, however the QLD Government has recently awarded Binna Burra $18 million to rebuild. 

Grooms Cottage

There are a selection of short, half-day and full day walks. We did the Daves Creek Circuit. The 14km hike took us a little under four hours including the optional extension to Nagarigoon Falls. Contrary to the signage, we did the walk in a clockwise direction which meant we were walking uphill on the return leg. This was much kinder on our knees and not so slippery after the recent heavy rains. 

ThunderBird Park on Tamborine Mountain is home of the Treetop Challenge, Canyon Flyer - Australia's largest zipline and high ropes adventure park. If you are in the area, this is a must do - even if you're scared of heights like me! Flying through the trees and then across the expanse of Cedar Creek Gorge, 60 meters below, is exhilarating. The seven zipline course takes just on three hours to complete. We had guides Georgie and Ollie who kept us very entertained and encouraged us to get a little more out of our comfort zone.

After ziplining all morning, we stopped for lunch at the Albert River Winery. The restaurant is located on the verandah of "Auchenflower House" overlooking the vineyard.

Ketchup's Bank Glamping is the perfect place to unwind and be stunned by the incredible views of the Scenic Rim. Located at Boonah, the property boasts two glamping tents complete with individual camp kitchens and fire pits. The Baya tiny house is also located on the property.

Alex, Anna and son Julian are the perfect hosts, treating us to a very generous, locally sourced, breakfast hamper each morning and supplying the ingredients for damper to be cooked on the open fire. Our experience was magical and we were blessed with the most perfect cloudless skies and cold, but dry weather.

The views are jaw dropping

Damper #2 - we added choc chips

Baya Tiny House

There is so much to see and do around the Scenic Rim and all the country towns are relatively close to each other. Several times per year Destination Scenic Rim hosts a Farm Gate Trail where local producers showcase their properties and produce. We missed the July trail date, however by checking the producer's websites for alternative trading times, we were still able to visit. 

Destination Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail (July 2022)

If you are a keen golfer then the Scenic Rim has a selection of courses including the championship course Kooralbyn Valley.

Be sure to stop in and see Mike, Wendy and their team at the Scenic Rim Brewery at Mt Alford. Their Dutch inspired menu is simple and tasty and even better washed down with locally brewed beer. Make sure you book (even if you are just stopping for a tasting) as it is a small premises and you do not want to be turned away. We had such a lovely lunch sitting on the back deck drinking in the sunshine.

Heading north and avoiding the main highway, we followed the Cobb & Co Tourist Drive via the Lockyer Valley - the salad bowl of Australia.

Crows Nest is a village in Queensland's High Country and 44km north-east of Toowoomba. The largest town of the High Country Hamlets, it is here where you will find a number of specialty businesses such as Crows Nest Soft Drinks. This small town manufacturer has had a resurgence since Covid and is again producing all the old favourite soft drinks and syrups.

Apart from exploring the town, the real reason we were in Crows Nest was to have lunch at Myrtille. Located in the restored Nolans Block, this little French bistro dishes up all sorts of delights. If you forget to book or can't find a seat, then try My Little Blueberry Patisserie & Cafe located next door. 

Toowoomba is Australia's second most populated inland city. With a population of around 140,000 and a warm sub-tropical climate, it's easy to understand why people like living there. The panoramic view over the Lockyer Valley from Picnic Point Lookout is a must along with a stroll around Queens Park and Ju Raku En - the Japanese garden. Alternatively, you can take the self-guided walking tour along historic Russell Street. 

Every Saturday the Toowoomba Farmers Market is held from 7am - 12pm at the windmills next to the Cobb & Co Museum. 

The Cobb & Co Museum is an excellent look into Toowoomba's natural and cultural history. It houses the National Carriage Collection and details the importance of the horse-drawn vehicles in Queensland's development. 

Heading back to Brisbane, we again avoided (where possible) the major highways. We stopped for lunch at Tins & Trays, Gatton operating out of a 114 year old Queenslander.

Tins & Trays Bakery

After a week of driving around the Scenic Rim you can absolutely understand why it has been voted as one of the hottest places to visit. Yes, we were extremely lucky with the weather. However, our eyes have been opened to what Queensland's hinterland has to offer at any time of the year.