Soak up nature with the ultimate guide to the Scenic Rim

Just an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast or Brisbane and you hit South East Queensland’s World Heritage-listed backyard, the Scenic Rim. Home to lush rainforests, spectacular mountain ranges and ancient landforms, this region is so spectacular, that Lonely Planet recently ranked it in its Top 10 Regions of the World list for 2022.

Do not let its accessibility fool you – even though you can visit on a day trip, this country getaway destination feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With vibrant art galleries, a thriving food and wine trail, expansive bushwalking tracks and friendly country charm, you will need more than just a day trip to explore this thriving rural paradise.

What makes the Scenic Rim so special?

The Scenic Rim is a stretch of dramatic mountain ranges that circle farmland valleys and country villages. Across this ring is idyllic National Parks and World Heritage-listed rainforests that hide scattered waterfalls and breathtaking lookouts.

This imposing volcanic mountain range dates back millions of years. The Scenic Rim Mountains and the Mt Warning area in northern NSW are known as the Green Cauldron. Once a volcanic hotspot, over time the region has grown into a lush landscape. This early volcanic activity reveals itself in the region’s rich flora and fauna, making the Scenic Rim region a treasure trove of unique plants, animals and distinctive vegetation types.

The mountains preserve living links to Australia’s ancient past, and stories, rituals and traditions of its traditional custodians, the Mununjali, Yugambeh and Ugarapul People, are woven around the natural environment, highlighting their connection to a living landscape.

Scenic Rim hikes, bikes and adventure

If outdoor adventure is what you seek, then the Scenic Rim is the launching pad for your outdoor playground. Home to six National Parks, this haven for bushwalkers, naturalists, birdwatchers and lovers of spectacular views will have you returning for more.

Bush tracks that take in a gentle easy-paced walk all the way up to vertical climbs for experienced hikers and climbers can be found throughout Mt Tamborine, Lamington National Park, Mt Lindesay, Mt Barney and around Lake Moogerah. These natural wonderlands can be experienced not only by foot but by wheels, the air and across the water by hot air ballooning, water skiing, kayaking, cycling, bushwalking or mountaineering.

When you take a wander through the Scenic Rim, you will more often than not end up at a stunning waterfall. In spots like Lamington and Tamborine Mountain National Parks, you can even take a dip in serene swimming holes such as The Gorge, Lower Portals and Burgess Park.

Easy Hikes

Some of the most popular walks for beginners include Tree Top Walkway O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat (1.5km/30min), Cunningham's Gap (Rainforest Circuit 1.6km/30min) and Mee-bor-rum Circuit - Moogerah Peaks National Park, Mt French section (720m/15min) as they are under an hour to complete.

Rainforest Hikes

Venture into the rainforest where your hike will be accompanied by a soundtrack of thundering waterfalls and babbling creeks on the Palm Grove Circuit - Tamborine National Park, Joalah Section (2.6km/1hour), Morans Falls - Lamington National Park, Green Mountains Section (4.6km/1.5hours), Rainforest Circuit and Mount Cordeaux Track - Main Range National Park, Mt Cordeaux Track 6.8km/2.5hours), Curtis Falls Track - Tamborine National Park, Knoll Section (1.1km/30min) and Witches Falls Circuit - Tamborine National Park, Witches Falls section (3.1km/1hour).

Intermediate Hikes

Intermediate level hikers can take it a little further on the Lower Portals Track - Mt Barney National Park (7.4km/3hours), Mt Edwards Summit - Moogerah Peaks National Park, Mt Edwards section (6km/3.5hours) and Mount Mitchell Track - Main Range National Park, Cunningham's Gap (10.2km/3hours).

Longer Hikes

Those extreme hikers and climbers will prefer the more challenging multi-day hikes. The Border Track is a 21.4km trek from the gorgeous O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to Binna Burra Lodge (or vice versa) in Lamington National Park. If climbing is your thing, head to Mount Barney which serves up challenging cliff faces, mountain ascents and pristine creeks. The Stinson Walk out of O’Reilly’s is not for the faint-hearted as this 37km hike takes adventurers through the rugged McPherson Range to the Stinson Aircraft Crash Site. A climb of Mount Maroon, standing at 964m, offers spectacular views of Brisbane, Moreton Island and Mt Barney.

Possibly the most sort after hike however is the Scenic Rim Trail. Stretching some 47km and will take around four days to complete. Traverse through private property and the rugged and remote mountains of Main Range National Park, at the northern tip of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Pair that with the eco-luxury accommodation of Spicers Retreats and you have yourself one spectacular hiking experience.

If the thought of organising a multi-day hike feels like too much planning. Book yourself on Life's An Adventure's three-day pack-free hike that traverses Main Range National Park, Moogereh Peaks National Park and Mount Barney and includes food and accommodation. 

Mountain Bike Trails

Prefer to hit the trails on wheels? At Hidden Vale Adventure Park (HVAP), there are some 12,000 acres to explore over an amazing variety of terrain. The multi-use property has over 110 kilometres of World Class trail network of mountain biking, running and hiking tracks catering for all ages and abilities. Day visitors can pick up a 1 Day Trail Pass (starting from $10.00AUD) which allows access to the Trail Network during the hours of 7am - 3pm for the day selected. However, with so many trails on offer, you’ll want to come back time and time again, so opt for a 6 Month Trail Pass (starting from $99.00AUD) allowing 182 days of adventure.

Bring your own equipment or hire a bike, including e-bikes, at a charge. There is a shuttle service to take you to the more remote trail starts and for the ultimate adventure, you can even try heli-biking with a helicopter transfer.

Meet the local flora and fauna in the Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim’s national parks are a wildlife haven, teaming with local flora and fauna. As you walk or ride the tracks you will be rewarded with glimpses of rare species of birds, mammals and plants. Around the area’s two large lakes at Moogerah and Maroon you can often spot water birds, fish and animals coming to drink.

Some of Australia's most iconic species, like kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypus, echidna, kookaburra, lyrebird, wedge-tailed eagle, cockatoos and goannas have been spotted in the region. 

A visit to Spicers Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre, a partnership between the University of Queensland and The Turner Family Foundation, gives an insight into the wildlife conservation efforts and studies of the region’s wildlife. There is even an opportunity to take a Koala Experience where visitors can learn about the plight of koalas through the conservation outreach program, before heading ‘out bush’ to see what makes a koala successful in the wild.

Where to stay in the Scenic Rim

Matching the stunning scenery are the incredible places to rest your head after a day exploring the Scenic Rim. With an impressive collection of vineyards, farm stays, cosy B&B’s and luxury retreats, the accommodation offered in this region is as endless as the mountainous views. You can’t look  past possibly the most famous of the Scenic Rim accommodations, Spicers Hidden Vale.

The luxury lodge sits on a massive 12,000 acre property and is home to the award-winning restaurant, Homage, which is a chef-hatted dining experience celebrating local produce. While this is a luxury retreat, it is not pretentious, instead offering the warmest country welcome as you experience the bush at its best.

Here you will stay in a heritage cottage decked out with everything you could need. Some cottages even have an outdoor bathtub so you can soak while watching kangaroos hop by. Don’t have an outdoor bath? Don’t worry, as there is a pool with a heated spa that is also a great viewing spot for wildlife.

Local tips and tricks

• Pack your hiking boots, mountain bike and sense of adventure as you will need these while exploring the Scenic Rim.
  
• Carry some cash with you as you drive around the region as you will often find roadside stalls selling fresh produce that you won’t want to miss.
• Pack your boardies, bikinis or bathers so when you want to cool off, spend the afternoon hopping between the Scenic Rim's many waterfalls and swimming holes.
• Drive carefully and keep an eye out for wildlife – especially around dusk and dawn.