Scenic Rim

ECO Certified Destination since 2025.

Welcome to the Scenic Rim. Here you’ll find bigger skies, longer sunsets and places that feel impossible to leave, all only an hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast in south-east Queensland.

As you move between our magnificent mountain ranges and mystical Gondwana rainforests to find idyllic country towns nestled in sweeping green valleys, you’ll realise what we’ve known for ages; that life’s greatest luxuries are found in its simplest of pleasures.

Here you’ll find the space and stillness to slow down, to breathe a little deeper, to connect with country and nature, and to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. Here you’ll be welcomed by locals and leave them as friends.

With six national parks, three lakes and world-heritage protected sub-tropical rainforest, it’s no surprise the Scenic Rim is home to famous ecotourism pioneers based at Tamborine Mountain, Mount Barney National Park and Lamington National Park.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with walking trails to waterfalls, cooling rock pools and lookouts with breathtaking views. For a different perspective, take to the air in a hot air balloon, helicopter, hang-glider or paraglider, or hit the lakes and soak in the views while boating, kayaking, fishing or waterskiing.

After time spent immersed in nature, linger over award-winning local produce at the region’s destination restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries and escape the world a little longer without sacrificing any creature comforts at eco-luxe retreats, farm stays, Queenslander houses and cottages, tiny houses, glamping or camp sites, while waiting for the night’s sky to put on a show like no other.

About the local community

The Scenic Rim’s close-knit towns and villages are rich in history and tradition, supported by a friendly country lifestyle and vibrant local communities.

The area was settled by Europeans in the 1800s, and its prosperity has its origins in farming and timber. The region’s fertile farmland is an essential food bowl for the east coast of Australia and local farms continue to grow and adapt, producing seasonal produce and award-wining gourmet delights.

The Scenic Rim towns of Tamborine Mountain, Boonah and Beaudesert, and the villages of Canungra, Rathdowney, Kalbar and Mount Alford are places to enjoy fresh local produce and taste locally made wines, spirits and brews, to stroll through unique stores and galleries with works by local artists, and to explore cultural and historical delights.

Long before Europeans arrived, indigenous people lived with and cared for the land using laws and practices handed down by their ancestors. The region values its indigenous heritage and the traditional lands of the Mununjali people for the area around Beaudesert, the Ugarapul people for the area around Boonah, and the Wanggeriburra people for the Canungra and Tamborine Mountain area, and for all those of the Yugambeh and Jaggera language groups. Historical documents describe how they traded resources and interacted with relatives and other family groups through a complex network of trails that criss-crossed the region.

Sustainability Commitment

Surrounded by rugged mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and ancient Gondwana rainforests, the Scenic Rim is a natural wonderland for visitors. With such great natural beauty comes a shared responsibility to preserve it, and this region proudly leads the way in ecotourism and sustainable travel.

The Scenic Rim is the sixth destination in Queensland and twelfth in Australia to meet global best practice sustainability standards and achieve Eco Destination certification with Ecotourism Australia. Long-lasting sustainability initiatives are embedded within the local community and landscape, ensuring the region’s character and priceless natural places are shared and protected for the enjoyment, appreciation and wellbeing of locals and visitors. 

Visitors to the Scenic Rim region benefit from the services of over a dozen tourism operators who are Ecotourism certified, including Australia’s ecotourism pioneers Binna Burra Lodge, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Araucaria Tours and Mt Barney Lodge, along with many others who demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable travel values.

Eat & Drink Local

Within the Scenic Rim you’re spoilt for choice with local cafes, distilleries and chef-hatted restaurants who pride themselves on creating meals and drinks featuring seasonal local produce.