Best Things to Do in the Scenic Rim, Queensland

Last Updated: October 2026

One of the best things about living in South East Queensland is having so many beautiful places right on our doorstep, and the Scenic Rim is definitely one of them.

Just a short drive from Brisbane, this stunning region is filled with rolling hills, ancient rainforests, charming country towns, spectacular mountain scenery and excellent wineries. Add some fantastic local produce and plenty of hiking opportunities, and you’ve got the perfect escape from city life.

Despite being so close to Brisbane, the Scenic Rim feels a world away. It’s a place we keep returning to, whether it’s for a challenging hike, a relaxing winery lunch or simply exploring another beautiful corner of the countryside.

With such a large area to discover, there’s no way you can see everything in one day. So, if you’re planning your first visit, here are some of the best things to do in the Scenic Rim. And don’t worry if you can’t fit them all in, there’s always a good reason to come back!

Spend a day exploring Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Mountain has always been a popular destination for visitors to the Gold Coast. It’s not hard to see why. It is the best place for tourists to head to when they’re done with the beaches and the theme parks. From the top of the mountain, you will enjoy some spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Gold Coast skyline in the east and the greater Scenic Rim to the West.

In Tamborine Mountain, check out the quaint shops along the Gallery Walk or immerse yourself in nature at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, where raised steel walkways take you through the upper canopy of a private rainforest. You can look out for birdlife and enjoy flowing waterfalls.

There is so much to do in Tamborine that it needs its own post. So it’s just as well we’ve written one!

Click here to read more about Tamborine Mountain.

Explore the Scenic Rim’s National Parks

Within the Scenic Rim region, you will find six national parks ready for exploring. There’s Lamington National Park, Tamborine National Park, Mount Barney National Park, Main Range National Park, Moogerah Peaks National Parks and last-but-not-least, the Mount Chinghee National Park.

As you can imagine, it would take a lot of time to explore all those stunning national parks. That’s why you’ll never run out of things to do in the Scenic Rim!

Planning to hike in the Scenic Rim? Some national park walking tracks may be temporarily closed due to storm damage, maintenance or weather conditions. Before heading out, check the latest Queensland Parks alerts  for track closures and access restrictions. Conditions can change, so it’s always worth checking before your visit.

Hike one of the many Scenic Rim peak

Who likes to climb mountains? We do! That’s one of the reasons we love the Scenic Rim so much. It’s hiker-heaven with no shortage of peaks to tackle.

Moogerah Peaks National Park is home to Mt Greville, Mt Edwards and Mt Moon.

Mount Barney National Park has West Barney Peak, East Barney Peak, Mt May, Mt Maroon, North Peak, Mt Lindesay, Mt Ernest, and the Ballow Range.

Main Range National Park has Mt Cordeaux, Mt Mitchell, Spicers Peak, Mt Matheson and Mt Alphen.

Lamington National Park features Mt Merino, Neglected Mountain, Mt Wagawn, Mt Hobwee and Mt Bithongabel.

We haven’t managed to hike them all yet, but we’re slowly ticking them off our list! So far, our favourites are Mt Maroon and Mt Greville, although we also loved Mt Cordeaux and Bare Rock. Mt Barney, on the other hand, was an absolute beast! An unforgettable experience, but certainly not a hike we’d recommend to everyone.

Click here to read more about the Mt Maroon hike here. It’s not an easy hike but it’s totally worth it.

Go chasing Waterfalls

If you love waterfalls, Lamington National Park is the place to go! Home to ancient Gondwana rainforests, towering trees, spectacular scenery and beautiful waterfalls, it’s a paradise for hikers.

One of our favourite hikes is the Coomera Circuit , a spectacular 19-kilometre walk through lush rainforest, passing numerous waterfalls along the way.

It’s a long and challenging day hike, but the scenery makes every kilometre worthwhile. We absolutely loved it!

Read more about the Coomera Circuit here.

If you haven’t seen enough waterfalls or don’t fancy a big hike, the Tamborine National Park is also home to some stunning waterfalls, such as Curtis and Witches Falls. They are much easier to get to.

Explore the Rainforest at O’Reilly’s

Located in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s is a beautiful place to experience the Scenic Rim’s ancient rainforests. There are several walking trails to explore, ranging from short rainforest strolls to longer hikes for more experienced walkers.

One of the highlights is the Tree Top Walk, which takes you through the rainforest canopy on a series of suspension bridges. It’s also a fantastic area for spotting native birds and other wildlife.

You don’t need to stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to enjoy the national park, making it a lovely day trip for nature lovers.

Click here to read more on O’Reilly’s and Lamington National Park  for walks, wildlife and things to do.

Visit Kooroomba Lavender Farm

The Kooromba Lavender farm is situated atop a hill in Mt Alford. The Kooroomba Lavender Farm is arguably the most photogenic place in the Scenic Rim. It is stunning and if I wasn’t already married, it’s exactly where I’d want to have my wedding ceremony!

The Lavender Farm is also a working vineyard, and it has a nice restaurant on site, as well as a cellar door where you can try their wines.

It’s the grounds though, that keep me going back. Take the time to wander around and enjoy the fabulous views of the surrounding mountains, with fields and fields of lavender and vines in the foreground. It’s spectacular.

Check out their wedding chapel. Wouldn’t it be amazing to tie the knot there?

Admire the view of Mt Barney

Mount Barney is one of Queensland’s most challenging mountain climbs, and this year we finally tackled it ourselves. What an experience! It was incredibly tough, both physically and mentally, and there were moments when we wondered whether we were fit enough for it. Simon even lost his toenails afterwards!

The views and sense of achievement were incredible, but Mount Barney is definitely not for everyone. The summit routes involve steep climbs, scrambling and challenging navigation, and should only be attempted by very fit, experienced hikers who are properly prepared.

Thankfully, you don’t have to climb it to appreciate its beauty! Mount Barney is spectacular even from the ground, with stunning views of its rugged peaks from the surrounding countryside and walking trails, including the approach to the Lower Portals.

Unless you’re a slightly crazy hiker like us, admiring it from below might be the more sensible option!

Hit the water at Lake Moogerah

The peaceful blue waters of Lake Moogerah are popular for recreational boating, water skiing and jet skiing.

If you prefer to go for a dip, there is a swimming area at AG Muller Park, which also has public BBQs, picnic facilities and toilets. From Haigh Park you can take a walk across the big Moogerah Dam wall. The concrete double curvature arch dam wall is 219 metres long and 38 metres high.

Across the far side of the wall, is a hiking trail that takes you up Mt Edward. Bear in mind, there is no view of the lake from the top of Mt Edward, but there is a gorgeous view of the countryside on the other side of the mountain.

Lake Maroon and Lake Wyaralong are also beautiful lakes that are worth a visit.

Try the delicious local produce

The Scenic Rim is filled with lakes, mountains, rich soil, and large plains. Heaps of food producers grow and harvest everything from pecans and beetroot, through to sheep’s cheese, free-range eggs, and olive oil. So why not stop at the many local farms and pick up some local produce to take home.

Enjoy the many viewpoints

There are incredible views to be seen all around the Scenic Rim. In fact, any peak you hike will be well worth it. However, not everyone can hike mountains and you certainly don’t need to be a hiker to find a nice view in the Scenic Rim.

There are a lot of beautiful viewpoints that are easily accessible by car. The top of Mt French is an easy, short walk to reach the viewpoint. The Rosins Lookout in Beechmont is spectacular at sunrise and the Handgliders Lookout in Tamborine is worth a stop.

Wander around the old town of Kalbar

The charming old town of Kalbar (originally known as Engelsberg) is rich in German history. That history is reflected in the many historical buildings around the town.

The main attractions of Kalbar include the heritage-listed buildings of the Wiss Emporium and Wiss House, the Lovett Cafe (with the best coffee and pies in town) and its art galleries.

If you visit the Scenic Rim in March or April, do not miss the Kalbar Sunflower Festival.

Have a country pub lunch

Settle in to meet some of the locals and enjoy a relaxed, country-style lunch at one of the best country pubs in the region. We liked the Dugandan Hotel in Boonah which dates to the 1880s.

This historical Queenslander first opened as a general store but was converted into a hotel in 1913. It has been renovated recently but has not lost its old country charm. Sitting in the garden enjoying the views is bliss.

We also liked the St Bernard Hotel in Tamborine Mountain. This hotel dates to 1898 and sits on the edge of an ancient volcanic escarpment. The views are incredible and my favourite thing of all, the resident St Bernard dogs that live on the premises. So big and cute!

Meet the Camels at Summerland Camels

Summer Land Camels is a working camel dairy near Harrisville, surrounded by beautiful Scenic Rim countryside.

During our visit, we enjoyed wandering around, meeting some of the camels and their babies, and stopping for a camelcino at the café. The camels we saw had plenty of space to roam, and we really enjoyed seeing them up close.

The farm also offers guided tours and camel rides, although we didn’t participate in either. If animal welfare is important to you, it’s worth researching these activities before deciding whether to visit.

Go wine tasting

When we moved to Queensland from Victoria, I worried that I was going to miss Victoria’s many wineries. Thankfully, there isn’t a shortage of wineries on the Scenic Rim. If you love local wines, pick a designated driver, or take a tour and explore the many wineries in the area.

Other than the Kooromba Lavender farm already mentioned earlier, here are some other wineries not to miss:

O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards

Located just outside Canungra, O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards is a lovely spot to spend a relaxing afternoon. Set beside Canungra Creek and surrounded by beautiful countryside, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a picnic basket and a glass of local wine.

There’s plenty of space to sit back and soak up the peaceful surroundings, and occasional live music makes the experience even more enjoyable.

The Overflow Estate 1895

Showcasing Vermentino, Fiano, Tempranillo and Montepulciano varieties, the Overflow Estate 1895 is now operating a cellar door, located on the edge of picturesque Lake Wyaralong.

Bunjurgen Estate vineyard

This 60-acre property is 10 kilometres from the town of Boonah. It has a large cellar door with Rose, Shiraz, Verjuice, sparkling Verjuice and Cherry port as the stars. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds.

Sarabah Estate

This family-run winery is nestled at the base of the famous Lamington National Park, just 10 minutes from the township of Canungra. The bistro has a cafe menu to pair with wine tastings.

Update (October 2026): Sarabah Estate Vineyard is currently listed as temporarily closed. We enjoyed visiting during our trip, but check its official website or social media for reopening announcements before making plans.

Heritage Estate Wines

Heritage Estate has been producing award-winning wines for more than 27 years.

Albert River Wines

Stand on the deck of Auchenflower House overlooking lush green valleys of vines. The restaurant serves modern Australian cuisine and Devonshire tea. Nearby, the property’s old billiard room acts as the cellar door for tastings.

Where to stay in the Scenic Rim?

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat

Located in the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat  is another fantastic place we’ve had the pleasure of staying, and we’d love to return!

Surrounded by lush rainforest, the retreat offers incredible mountain views and an abundance of birdlife. We absolutely loved watching the birds and soaking up the peaceful surroundings.

It’s also a fantastic base for exploring Lamington National Park, with beautiful rainforest hikes right on your doorstep. After a day of hiking, you can relax by the infinity pool and enjoy those spectacular views.

We loved our stay here and would happily go back!. Find their latest prices here.

Tuckeroo Cottages

On our most recent visit to the Scenic Rim, we stayed at Tuckeroo Cottages while tackling the challenging Mount Barney hike, and we absolutely loved it!

The cottages are surrounded by beautiful countryside, with incredible views of Mount Maroon and Mount Barney. One of the highlights for us was the wildlife. We spotted wallabies and kangaroos in the gardens, along with plenty of birdlife.

It’s a wonderful place to relax, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and soak up those spectacular mountain views. We would happily stay here again, especially when exploring this beautiful part of the Scenic Rim. Find their latest prices here.

Spicers Peak Lodge

Perched at the peak of an 8000-acre property, Spicers Peak Lodge boasts luxurious, secluded suites with stunning mountain views. There are private lodges with an infinity spa pool or hot tub and views into the valley below and Main Range National Park. Find their latest prices here.

Pethers Rainforest Retreat

Pethers Rainforest Retreat is an adults-only property situated in Mount Tamborine and offers a restaurant, a bar and a garden. Find their latest prices here.

How to get to the Scenic Rim?

The Scenic Rim is located southwest of Brisbane, with many attractions approximately one to two hours’ drive from the city, depending on your destination.

Driving is the easiest way to explore the region, although organised day tours are available to selected attractions.

Getting Around the Scenic Rim

Having a car is essential for exploring most of the Scenic Rim independently, as its towns, national parks and attractions are spread across a large area with limited public transport.

Allow plenty of time between stops, especially when travelling along winding mountain roads. A regular 2WD is suitable for most main attractions, although some remote areas require higher-clearance vehicles.

Best Time to Visit the Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim is beautiful year-round, but autumn and spring offer particularly pleasant temperatures for hiking, exploring country towns and visiting wineries.

Winter is also a lovely time to visit, with crisp mornings, clear days and cosy country retreats. Summer can be hot and humid, especially on exposed hiking trails, although the rainforests and waterfalls are particularly lush after rain.

How Many Days Do You Need in the Scenic Rim?

You can explore part of the Scenic Rim on a day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, but we recommend spending two to three days to experience more of the region.

With national parks, mountain hikes, charming towns, wineries and scenic drives spread across such a large area, there’s plenty to keep you busy for much longer.

Scenic Rim FAQs

What towns are worth visiting in the Scenic Rim? Boonah, Canungra, Kalbar and Rathdowney are lovely country towns to explore, each offering a different mix of cafés, heritage buildings and rural scenery.

Is the Scenic Rim suitable for families? Yes! There are plenty of family-friendly activities, including easy nature walks, picnic spots, lakes, gardens and opportunities to enjoy the countryside.

Are dogs allowed in Scenic Rim national parks? No. Dogs and other domestic pets are generally prohibited in Queensland national parks to protect native wildlife. However, some parks, cafés and accommodation outside protected areas welcome dogs.

Can you visit Scenic Rim wineries without booking? Some cellar doors accept walk-ins, but others require reservations, particularly for tastings or meals. It’s best to check ahead, especially on weekends.

Do you need a 4WD to explore the Scenic Rim? No. Most towns, wineries and popular attractions are accessible in a regular 2WD. However, some remote roads and national park access tracks may require a higher-clearance vehicle.

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