Rolling hills, rugged mountains and dense bushland are all features of Queensland's Scenic Rim. Photo / Tourism and Events Queensland
There’s a version of Queensland that sits well beyond the cliches of coastlines and big cities. Inland, just an hour or so from Brisbane, the Scenic Rim unfolds in a beautiful patchwork of valleys, mountains and small communities.
This is a region best explored by road, not rushed, not over-scheduled, allowing time for long lunches, early starts and experiences that connect you to the land beneath your feet. Over several days, this journey reveals a deeper story, one shaped by Aboriginal culture and regenerative farming – a trip that might make you consider regional Australia’s ability to give you the adventure of a lifetime.
It only felt right to start my five days in Australia at Native Oz Bushfoods, an Aboriginal-owned and operated business based in the Lockyer Valley in Southeast Queensland. We walked through native gardens, learning about plants that have been integrated into Aboriginal communities for years. Leaves, seeds and berries are discussed not only in terms of flavour, but in their function as food and medicine.
From the valley, the road winds through small towns where hospitality feels curated. Lunch is had at Cafe Sorella, housed in a former general store, the kind of place where the past is preserved.
Those remote roads lead us right to Spicers Hidden Vale, a grand 1920s homestead situated on a 12,000-acre farm just over an hour’s drive from Brisbane.
We are encouraged to slow down, to walk the gardens, take in valley views, or simply sit and enjoy the quiet. At Homage, the on-site restaurant, the menu feels inspired by the surrounding nature and produce is picked from their very own gardens and nearby farms.
While I am not naturally inclined toward early mornings, the Scenic Rim makes a convincing case for them. The team at Spicers Hidden Vale treated us to a 4WD journey, revealing just how expansive the region truly is. From hidden lookouts, the valley stretches endlessly, soft hills folding into themselves, while wildlife is abundant amongst the quiet.
If the Scenic Rim has a defining quality, it is its ability to surprise. Few experiences illustrate this better than Summerland Camels, a camel farm and cafe tucked into the countryside.
Here, camels are not a novelty but working animals, central to a highly considered farming operation. Behind the scenes access reveals the scale, science, love and care involved from training and trust-building to processing milk into cheese, yoghurt and gelato.
The road to Mount French Lodge climbs steadily, winding high into the Scenic Rim until the valley floor drops away behind you. With each bend, the views widen and by the time the lodge comes into view, set high on a ridge across 100 acres of bushland, the air feels cooler, the landscape quieter.
This is a place where every room has the best view, and you’re free to enjoy it in almost total solitude (with only eight architecturally designed apartments on site).
Food once again takes centre stage. All-inclusive stays focus on locally sourced produce, prepared simply and shared in a relaxed, homestyle setting. Meals feel communal rather than formal, encouraging conversation and connection. It’s less about being hosted and more about being welcomed.
Morning unfolds at a slow and relaxing pace, beginning with yoga, followed by a country-style breakfast that reflects the region’s rural generosity. Later, we stop at a nearby farm shop, where the Scenic Rim’s abundance is laid out in the form of seasonal fruit and vegetables, locally made clothing and pantry goods sourced from surrounding farms.
By midday, the road carries us onward to Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm, which boasts panoramic mountain backdrops. Lunch is a considered affair, with simple dishes made well and ice cream subtly infused with lavender.
As the road climbs deeper into the Gold Coast hinterland, the experience of the landscape begins to change.
SOL Elements takes on a slow rhythm. Set beside a still lake and wrapped in rainforest, the spa experience encourages disconnection. I move between warm pools into saunas and feel free from distraction, sitting quietly as rain falls.
That sense of calm carries into the night at Binna Burra Lodge, perched high on Binna Burra land surrounded by Lamington National Park. The next day, I wake in a Sky Lodge apartment 800m above sea level.
What comes next asks something different. Less observation, more participation. Less stillness, more exposure.
From here, Happitat is only a short walk away, though it feels far removed from anywhere familiar. Despite being little more than an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the setting is unmistakably remote.
Happitat is the world’s first cliff park, designed to bring visitors into direct contact with the dramatic terrain of the Lamington ranges. Ziplines, suspension bridges, via ferrata climbs and rainforest walks are woven into a single, continuous experience.
As we gear up, helmets, gloves and harnesses secured, safety checks are thorough and reassuring. A short introductory course allows us to build confidence before the terrain opens up. Steel rungs and timber crossings trace the cliff face on the Arete Via Ferrata, and with each careful step, the view widens.
Crossing the 80m suspension bridge, heart racing, I feel both grounded and exposed. Fully supported yet completely in the open, the experience demands focus, presence and trust.
Then comes the Total Exposure zipline. I launch over the valley, gliding more than 200m above Lamington National Park, suspended between sky and forest.
And while suspended high above the valley, the Scenic Rim comes into focus. Culture, food, landscape and adventure aren’t presented as separate experiences here; they’re intertwined and support each other to create unforgettable experiences.
It’s a place that demonstrates what a regional Australia can be; not just a spot to pass through or dip into, but somewhere worth savouring, for memories that linger long after the adventure is over.
Australia
GETTING THERE
Fly from Christchurch to Brisbane before driving for just over an hour (98km) to the Scenic Rim.
DETAILS
New Zealand Herald Travel visited courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland and Happitat Gold Coast.