WHAT’S ON AND WHERE IN THE SCENIC RIM: here’s the events you can’t miss in the region you have to visit!
From food celebrations that are the envy of the country, to one of Australia’s most picturesque music festivals, a Haybale Trail, a famous Scarecrow Festival and the most authentic produce markets and agricultural shows that will dust your boots … the Scenic Rim region is not only stunning, and the food bowl of South East Queensland, it’s home to a five-star calendar of events! So grab a cuppa and open the diary, here’s what you need to plan for…..
Kalbar Country Day | 19 October
It’s the big country weekend with the famous Hay Bale Trail featuring incredible sculptures all over the area. Locals spend weeks creating their hay bale artworks, look out for Mick-hay and Min-hay Mouse, Slink-hay, the Kalbar J-hay-l (a jail of hay bales) – hay puns galore! And there’s the carrot throwing competitions! Fun fact – did you know the Scenic Rim is the carrot growing capital of Australia, with over 600 million carrots grown annually here.
Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival | 25 to 27 October
Halloween just got super fun! This famous celebration over three days sees hundreds of scarecrows of all shapes and sizes pop up all over Tamborine Mountain. Make a weekend of it and discover the magic of the mountain – all information here.
The Long Sunset | 1-3 November
Australia’s most picturesque music festival takes place at Canungra’s Elysian Fields, headlined this year by Australian artists Matt Corby and Angie McMahon. Tickets and more info here
Taste of Country – Sunday 3 November
French and First Nations flavours will fuse at the FIRST EVER Taste of Country on Mununjali Country at The Overflow Estate 1895, where resident French chef Olivier Boudon will create a menu fusing Mununjali and French cuisine, in collaboration with Mununjali Traditional Owners. This event has been created as the flavour finale to Queensland Music Festival’s The Scenic Rim Trail. Fans can choose between the laid-back Music on the Lawn picnic experience, or an indulgent gourmet dining event that fuses Mununjali and French cuisine and includes dishes like Wattleseed Sourdough & Finger Lime Butter, Lemon Myrtle crusted crocodile tail, and smoked kangaroo with bush tomato and onion balsamic jam. More info here
Summer Land Camels Christmas Market – Saturday 2 November
It’s the mother of all markets starring your favourite producers from the Scenic Rim. Let the kids loose to enjoy camel rides (best to book ahead of the day), face painting, dancing, and taste-testing camel ice cream while you relax, shop and grab unique presents for Christmas.
The Vintage and Country Brocante – Sunday 3 November
Searching for the perfect artisan homewares, vintage collectibles or one-off artwork? Head to the twice-yearly Vintage and Country Brocante in the beautiful grounds of O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard. Lose track of time browsing vintage finds, plants, flowers, antiques, stunning works by local artisans and to top it off, there’s wine tasting, picnics and lunches from the Vineyard on the day.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month | June 2025
Australia’s most authentic food and farming event is a month-long celebration of paddock to plate experiences across June 2025. Foodies and farm fans can expect an incredible line-up of on-farm celebrations, long lunches showcasing local produce, flavour-filled dinners, farm gate experiences, food walks, tastings, tours and talks, masterclasses, workshops for all ages, with the signature event, the Winter Harvest Festival on June 28, 2025 a must-attend! Visit www.eatlocalmonth.com.au to sign up for news.
Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular | 14 & 15 June 2025
All Clydesdales great and small are celebrated at this hugely popular event; the richest Clydesdale Show in the Southern Hemisphere. Also includes rare trades including harness making, blacksmithing, wheelwrights, horse-drawn demonstrations & driving displays, whip plaiting, Whip Cracking Championships, Billy Boiling Championships, wood chopping, working dog displays, Friesian Horse Troupe performances, artisan coopering & bush poetry. Information here
Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails | 2025 dates announced soon
The famed Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails see farmers, growers, producers, winemakers, brewers, distillers and flavour-makers across the region open their gates for a day celebrating where food comes from. Visitors leave with full stomachs and a love for the Scenic Rim region, its produce and its people. 2025 dates will be announced soon.
DID SOMEONE SAY COUNTRY MARKETS?
Fans of country markets are spoilt for choice with the Scenic Rim home to some of the best, from Beaudesert to Boonah, Beechmont, Kalbar, Kooralbyn, Canungra, Tamborine Mountain and Rathdowney. These markets are hyper-local and you’ll find fresh produce, bric-a-brac, treasures and great people!
Towri Growers Market – first Saturday of every month, 9am-2pm
This exciting new collective of local Scenic Rim farmers bring fresh essentials grown locally, at the iconic Scenic Rim farm, Towri Sheep Cheeses. It’s a one stop market for top-notch produce from award-winning local producers including Towri, Tommerups Dairy Farm, Valley Pride Produce, Harry’s Paddock, the Black Bee Apiary, Christmas Creek Produce and Barney Creek Vineyard, plus skin care and lifestyle products from local artisans. The entrance fee of $5 per person is a ticket to endless sheep pats, sheep milking demonstrations, live music and more.
The Green Shed Market, Tamborine Mountain – every Sunday, 6:30am to 11:00am
At The Mount Tamborine Showgrounds and run by the Tamborine Mountain Local Producers Association, this market brings together organic growers who offer a wide range of freshly picked produce, as well as fresh flowers, bread, honey, coffee, jams, herbs and plants. Our recommendation? Pop on your favourite podcast for the short, 45-minute drive from the city or the coast, grab your farm fresh groceries for the week from the market, then tick off a Tamborine Mountain adventure (high ropes challenge, waterfall walk or tasting tour – take your pick!) before returning home.
Beaudesert Marketfest – first Saturday of each month, 7am to 12pm
With everything from arts and crafts to thrifting stalls and tasty produce across 150 stalls, this is a super family-friendly event, with everything from donkey rides, jumping castle fun, face painting and taste testing. For parents, there’s handcrafted gifts, baked goods and delicious ingredients for dinners.
Tamborine Village Lions Community Markets – first Sunday of each month, 7am to 12pm
It’s where the community hall of Queensland’s 2022 Top Tourism Town springs to life with stalls, entertainment, and bargains - clothes, toys, handcrafted woodworks, soaps, candles, leatherwork, novelty items, and produce. All proceeds go to the Lions to fund community projects.
Boonah Country Markets – second and fourth Saturday of each month, 7am to 12pm
Bring an esky to Springleigh Park in Boonah and shop until you drop at the stalls displaying lavender products, condiments, confectionary, homewares and more.
Kooralbyn Valley RSL Subbranch Markets – second Sunday of each month, 8am to 1pm
A sea of stalls offers the best of country market bounty at Billabong Park - artisanal crafts, gifts, farm fresh items and more and there’s plenty of kid-friendly activities.
Canungra Village Markets – second Sunday of each month, 8am to 1pm
Tick a dose of fresh air and time in nature off your wellness checklist and head to the charming town of Canungra to explore its market at the Moriarty Park Hall and Showgrounds. There’s top wines, produce, baked goods, clothing and gifts, great food, company, and live entertainment.
Tamborine Mountain Country Markets – second Sunday of each month, 7:30am to 1:30pm
Gorgeous hand-made artisan crafts and delicious local produce star at the Tamborine Mountain Showground. There’s over 150 stalls packed with locally produced goods, and local buskers.
Beechmont Markets – third Sunday of each month, 8am to 1pm
Great produce, fresh air, and tasty treats, plus panoramic views of the coast at the Old School in Beechmont, this market ticks all the scenery and retail therapy boxes. Browse the stalls and grab a post-peruse snack from the BBQ stand, or the Headmaster’s Café.
Rathdowney Country Markets – third Sunday of each month, 7am to 12pm
Set in the little town famous for its access to iconic outdoor experiences and lush pastoral land, this market brims with quality goods, pantry essentials and homewares.
Tamborine Mountain State School Markets – last Sunday of each month, 7am to 1pm
At home in one of Australia’s most beautiful locations at the corner of Long and Curtis Roads and with over 130 stalls featuring local artists, craftspeople, fresh produce, plants, vintage items, collectibles, crystals, this is a fantastic day out.
Looking for more great food and drink experiences in the Scenic Rim?
The Scenic Rim is one of Australia’s premier food bowls, is celebrated for its award-winning food and drinks and bursting with award-winning restaurants, cafes and bakeries. Click here to explore.
All information including what to do and where to stay, at visitscenicrim.com.au
ABOUT THE SCENIC RIM:
Since being named by global travel authority Lonely Planet as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2022, the SCENIC RIM in Queensland has continued to win accolades. Last year delicious. magazine named it in the top 10 places to visit in Australia and this year, Qantas Travel Insider has included it in the Hottest Places in the World to Visit (the only Queensland inclusion)! Just an hour from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim stretches from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar and is home to the ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, six historic national parks, charming towns and villages, adventure parks, farm stays, craft breweries, boutique wineries, ecolodges, tantalising gourmet experiences, world class camping and glamping and breathtaking spaces in between. It’s a region of more than 4,200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators, more than 30,000ha of parkland, plus three dams - Lake Moogerah, Lake Maroon, and Wyaralong Dam.
Contact details:
kath rose
0416 291 493
kath@kathrose.com
