4-day road trip through Queensland’s Scenic Rim 

By Phil Hawkes

Some call it the ‘green behind the gold’ or the ‘green cauldron’ – a worthy epithet for this ancient volcanic land and the traditional country of the Yugambeh peoples.  

As well as a World Heritage-listed rainforest and six national parks in an area over more than 4,000 square kilometres (1,500 square miles), Queensland’s Scenic Rim is jam-packed with small villages, rural retreats and paddock-to-plate producers. In this scenic pastoral setting, away from the glitz and glamour of the big city and the busy coastal fringe, you can escape the pressures of daily life and breathe in the fresh eucalypt-scented air. Here’s how to make the most of four days here. 

Day 1: Brisbane or Gold Coast to Boonah via Beaudesert and Harrisville

• Drive time: about 1.5 hours.

Brisbane and the Gold Coast both make ideal starting points for your exploration of the Scenic Rim. Hire a car from either airport and set out into the hinterland to the regional centre of Beaudesert, where you’ll find a good selection of cafés with funny names such as Bean To? and VK Everydays for your caffeine fix.

From here, continue along Scenic Rim Way around picturesque Wyaralong Dam, stopping for lunch and tastings at The Overflow Estate 1895 – a premium winery specialising in Mediterranean grape varieties such as Vermentino, Fiano and Montepulciano. 

Day 2: Boonah to Mt Barney via Mt Alford and Rathdowney

• Drive time: about 1.5 hours.

Before hitting the road, have brekkie in Boonah at The Story Tree (it’s a bookshop and a café) or Flavours Cafe for an authentic country vibe. On your way south out of Boonah be sure to drop in at Bunjurgen Estate Winery and stock up for the night ahead with its awarded shiraz, delicate rosé and memorable fortified wines.  

In Mt Alford, you’ll be warmly welcomed at the boutique Scenic Rim Brewery, and while it may not be a good idea to hit the hops so early in the day, your partners could try some crafty brews with names like Digga’s Pale Ale and Fat Man Maroon Ale. Next, head five minutes out of town to Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm for dreamy lavender field views and an early lunch (or save yourself for the next stop). 

Day 3: Mt Barney to the Lost World Valley  

• Drive time: about one hour.

Today takes you back through Rathdowney on a journey of discovery to the Lost World Valley, via Tamrookum, Christmas Creek Road, Widgee Creek Road and Darlington Connection Road. Take it easy on these narrow back-country roads and be careful with single-lane bridges. Watch out for wallabies, who don’t have the best road manners.

Get ready for the ultimate Arcadian dream in the Lost World Valley, with the natural beauty of the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, towering cliffs and rainforest at your doorstep. This hidden valley of forests, pastures, wild rivers and rock pools offers bushwalking trails, scenic vistas, historical sites and a lunch spot at Christmas Creek Café & Cabins. Further activities open up to guests overnighting in one if its retreats, cottages and farm stays, including a cooking class at Worendo Cottages. 

Day 4: Lost World Valley to Tamborine Mountain

• Drive time: about one hour.

Having just found the Lost World, you’ll be sad to leave so soon. Your route passes through Kerry to Beaudesert and Canungra, where there are excellent cafés and also the popular Canungra Hotel for lunch. Alternatively, stop at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards just outside of town and enjoy a picnic basket on its grounds. 

Next, a steep incline takes you up to Tamborine Mountain, where you can explore the many cafés (including Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation), restaurants (including St Bernards Hotel), gift shops and wineries (including Hampton Estate Wines, Witches Falls Winery and Mason Wines). Or pop into the cheese factory and liqueur distillery to round out a perfect four days on the road.