The 10 best things to do in the Scenic Rim for first-timers

If there’s one easy way to brighten up your day, it’s with a trip to Elderflower Farm. The colourful flower fields are always blooming with old-fashioned heirlooms, which are cut daily by farmers Rachel and Fred Watkins. You can breathe in the fragrant air, admire the seasonal blooms up close, or grab a bunch to take home from the onsite farm shop. Here, you can also pick up flower field honey, elderflower tea, bespoke perfume, floripops and seeds to plant at home. Elderflower also runs occasional flower-picking days and flower-arranging workshops. Note: The farm is only open from Thursday to Sunday.

There are plenty of places to chase waterfalls in and around the Scenic Rim, but Tamborine National Park stands out at the fan favourite. Start your waterfall adventure with Curtis Falls. It’s easily accessible via a moderate one-kilometre walk through lush rainforest. The falls are stunning, and you can get pretty close via the viewing platform at the end of the walk. Swimming is not allowed at Curtis Falls, but if you’re hoping for a dip, then head to nearby Cedar Creek Falls, where you’ll find the only natural swimming holes in the area. 

You could easily spend the whole day at this dreamy winery, which is perched just behind the shimmery Wyaralong Dam. Start with a tasting of their signature wines, including a refreshing sparkling rosé or timeless tempranillo. Then, settle in for a French-inspired long lunch overlooking the vineyards. The two or three-course menu features snails in wild mushroom arancini, carb and crayfish lasagna, slow-cooked beef cheeks and pistachio crème brûlée. 

There are more than 160 kilometres of tracks waiting for you to explore in this Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Get lost in the magic of it all on the seven-kilometre Caves Walk, which winds through open eucalypt forest and offers spectacular views into the Coomera Valley and Darlington Range. Keep an eye out for snoozing koalas in the trees and also for white-throated treecreepers, members of one of the oldest groups of songbirds. Fun fact: The national park was named after a Governor of Queensland, Lord Lamington. 

It’s well worth staying a few nights in the Scenic Rim so you can explore its abundance of natural wonders. The region offers an impressive range of luxury stays, from Australia’s highest non-alpine mountain lodge at Spices Hidden Vale to the incredibly charming farm stay at Herrmann House. You’ll also find campgrounds, such as at the eco-friendly O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, along with a gorgeous glamping set-up at Ketchups Bank. However, our top pick are the incredibly secluded and sustainably-designed WanderPods, which come with cosy fireplaces, outdoor baths and the comfiest king-sized beds.

From the small country village of Beechmont to the secluded hinterlands of Tamborine Mountain, this month-long food fiesta hosts more than 120 delicious events each June. It’s backed by some of the biggest names in the local hospo scene, who will cook up stellar paddock-to-plate experiences, including long lunches, guest chef degustations, food tours, and growers’ markets. Get in quick if you want to attend the famous Kalfresh Carrot Day in Australia’s carrot-growing capital. The carrot ice cream from Moffatt’s Fresh Produce is a must-try.

The fields are alive at this gorgeous lavender farm, set on a six-hectare vineyard in the Fassifern Valley at Mount Alford. Kooroomba is perhaps the Scenic Rim’s best-kept secret, boasting an award-winning cellar door and restaurant on the farm. The best time to visit is between June and August, as lavender thrives in the cooler climate. However, Kooroomba’s six varieties of French and Italian lavender bloom almost all year round, ensuring perfect photo opportunities no matter the season. 

Right next door to Elderflower Farm is the equally enchanting Scenic Rim Farm Shop and Café. Here, you can pick up the freshest local produce to cook up during your stay, then relax under the shady jacaranda trees to enjoy house-baked cakes or hearty lunch dishes. We’re talking everything from freshly baked Turkish bread rolls with poached chicken and coffee-rubbed brisket nachos, to local coffee, juices and kombucha. PS: Well-mannered dogs are most welcome to join too.

Soar high above Tamborine Mountain’s beautiful and lush rainforest canopies on this leisurely 1.5 kilometre skywalk. After winding through forest floor trails, you’ll ascend to a path of raised steel bridges, including a 30-metre-high cantilever bridge that offers stunning views of the creek and rainforest below. Keep a lookout for exotic insects, butterflies, birds and reptiles along the way.

Alpaca your bags for a delightful day out with the whole family at this incredibly adorable alpaca farm. Located on the O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards in Canungra, it’s a place where parents will have just as much fun as the little ones. You can feed, cuddle, walk or snap a selfie with Mountview’s 50 friendly alpacas, before sharing a gourmet picnic hamper by the creek.