The famed Scenic Rim in Queensland unveils extraordinary new stays, tastes and world first adventures
IN early 2025 the Scenic Rim will become home to the world's first cliff park and eco-adventure experience, and Australia's two highest zipline tours, and right now there’s new boutique stays, new distilleries and breweries, off-grid luxury accommodation, tiny Wild Houses, Quiet Stays, a floral atelier, new farm days, two historic pubs that have reopened their story-filled doors, a cultural immersion program created with local Elders, as well as ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, six historic national parks, charming towns and villages and a local produce movement the envy of the country, it’s no wonder the Scenic Rim is the place to visit, again and again and again! Here’s the latest stay, play, sip and taste offerings …. images here
New Stays in the Scenic Rim
🏩 The Tamborine Boutique Hotel – opened December 12!!
A stunningly stylish reimagining of a 1980s Hacienda-style motel, there’s breathtaking views from each of the 23 rooms and all boast luxe king beds. Guests can unwind poolside with its heated mineral pool and spa whilst ordering from a considered drinks and bar snacks menu, as well as enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and Peacock O’clock (hosted aperitifs) in the lounge and bar area. ‘The Tamborine’ is from the team behind the acclaimed Cassis Red Hill in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The Tamborine | Boutique Accommodation Tamborine Mountain
🏩 Pat’s Chalet at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat – from December 2024
New to the famed flagbearer for Australian eco-tourism at O’Reilly’s is Pat’s Chalet, off-grid luxury accommodation, featuring six self-catered Chalets, with fire pit, heated pool and couple’s hammock outside for Stargazing. O’Reilly’s Dining Room can deliver, or collect local produce on the way. Gold Coast Hinterland Rainforest Retreat
🏩 Village Inn at Canungra
The beautifully revitalised Village Inn is now home to 10 brand-new guestrooms for the perfect country escape. The family-owned Village Inn dates back to 1978 as one of the original accommodation venues in Christie Street in the famed Scenic Rim mountain town of Canungra. Central to bushwalking tracks, vineyards and next to Hot Air Ballooning pick up and drop offs, the Inn is great for groups too. Village Inn Canungra
🏩 The Stables Canungra
A stunning luxury country escape on a picturesque landscape, and less than one kilometre from fantastic vineyard estates, every room opens out onto the expansive verandah and there’s multiple entertainment zones both inside and out. It’s the perfect romantic retreat (as seen on MAFS 2024!) for those looking to immerse themselves in the country lifestyle away from it all. More
🏩 Barney Creek Vineyard Cottages – Quiet Stays
Owners Aspen and Brendan Forgan this year launched QUIET STAYS, where all cottages on the beautiful property are for parents of neurodivergent children, to have a break, to breathe, and to focus on themselves. The first Quiet Stay was held from November 1-3 and was fully booked. 2025 dates will be announced soon. Scenic Rim Accommodation | Barney Creek Cottages
🏩 Moogie GLAMP and the Hot Tub Under The Stars – at The Moogie Collective, Lake Moogerah
Announcing Moogie Glamp and the Wood-Fired Cedar Hot Tub under the stars!! This is a bespoke luxurious off-grid couples retreat; hand your phone in and go completely offline, or turn it to airplane mode and just soak up the sounds and aromas of the Australian bush. Enjoy the firepit campfire, baked brie, local Moogerah honey, and freshly grown rosemary. Moogie Glamp joins the Moogie Collective at stunning Lake Moogerah –Moogie Pod, a tiny pod for two with all the modcons, plus its own outdoor area and firepit and views, and Moogie House for six people (dogs are welcome at Moogie House!). Moogie House, Glamp and Pod
🏩 🎉 🍴🍻🥂Tamborine Mountain Glades (formerly Cedar Creek Lodges)
Over 114 hectares, Tamborine Mountain Glades (TMG) is home to the country’s number 1 adventure playground in Thunderbird Park, and a full range of accommodation offerings from on-trend rooms to 5 star glamping and lodges, as well as 20 new luxe suites called The Vistas. The property is recently certified by Ecotourism Australia in the Nature Tourism category and won two golds at the 2024 Queensland Tourism Awards: the RACQ People’s Choice Award for Accommodation and Best Business Event Venue. Tamborine Mountain Glades
🏩 Baga Baga - Minjehla Camping
Yugambeh Land Enterprises Limited has launched Baga Baga - Minjehla Camping. Nestled between Mt. Barney and Mt. Maroon National Parks, and just a short distance from the Lower Portals, Minjehla Camping is a non-powered, campsite owned and operated by the Yugambeh People. Stay and experience the Dugulumba (Logan River), the majestic awe of (Baga Baga) Mt Barney in the west, Mt Maroon to the north, and (Jalgambuny) Mt Lindsey to the south.
💒 Maroon Hill Estate – wedding venue
Perched alone on top of Maroon Hill, this stunning property sits on 44 acres, with uninterrupted 360 degree views of the surrounding country including the magnificent Mount Maroon. With no visible neighbours, guests can enjoy complete privacy from any part of this unique property. Wedding venue. Maroon Hill Estate
🏩 Trinity House, Rathdowney
This newly renovated former church (built in the 1900s), is filled with character and boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a large living space with fully equipped kitchen, dining, lounge, wood heater and air conditioning. There’s a deck and a fire-pit and it’s at home in the country hamlet of Rathdowney. The famous Rathdowney Pub (home of a standout lineup of parmigiano’s) is a five minute walk. More
The Sunday House farm stay – EARLY 2025
In a gorgeous valley on 200 picturesque acres with Christmas Creek meandering through the property, sits The Sunday House, just 90 mins from Brisbane and the Gold Coast. This rustic farmhouse is a two-bedroom cottage, with all the comforts of home, but the simplicity of country life from a bygone era. Wake to birdsong, take a dip in the creek, toast marshmallows by the fire under a million twinkling stars; it’s perfect for a romantic couples stay, or a solo getaway. The Sunday House
New Sips & Flavours in the Scenic Rim
🍻Boxer Brewing Co.
Tamborine Mountain’s newest brewery is open! Boxer Brewing Co., is based at the stunning Witches Falls Winery and features The Kennel’ Tap Room and Sports Bar and the Brewery Door. It’s home to the Cerveza, IPA, Lazy Ale and a Pale Ale and is open from 10am daily. Why not visit both Boxer Brewing and Witches Falls Winery and make it a Sip Trip to remember 🍻 🍷 🥂 Boxer Brewing Co. | Tamborine Mountain Brewery, Sports Bar & Tap Room
🍹Loborn Distillery at North Stores
Modern amaro creator (think Aperol, with centuries-old Italian heritage), Loborn’s founder, Tom Drewett, had a thought: what if he could reinvent the famous bitter aperitif using local Australian botanicals? Loborn literally means Locally Born, and Tom has successfully achieved his aim, with the result being a distinctly modern amaro that pays homage to the rich history and craftmanship of Italy, but has a distinctly local Tamborine Mountain flavour. Tastings and bar. Home | LOBORN
🍴🍻🥂 Saint Marthe Brasserie
From the owners of El Burro on the mountain (home to fabulous Margaritas FYI!), comes the Saint Marthe Brasserie. A place to wine, dine, snack and gather. The menu features French-inspired small, medium and main plates. Chef is Marcus McKay. https://www.saintmarthe.com.au/
🍴🍻🥂Sip & Skull: The Commercial Hotel Harrisville – opened December 6!
A licence for The Commercial Hotel in Harrisville was granted to Ellen Butler in 1901, and 123 years later, women are once again at the helm, opening the pub under the moniker Sip & Skull this month. Sisters Vanessa and Paul Bailey, with great mate Jess Jurd have reopened the historic hotel THIS WEEK, with a focus on community, conversations and connection. They open with a café high teas, bar and cocktail bar in full swing, with the full kitchen to open later in January 2025. Welcome back to this classic country pub with all the trimmings! Check it out (20+) Facebook
🍴🍻🥂The Logan and Albert Hotel – Beaudesert – opening January 2025!
Affectionately called the “L ‘n A”, if the walls of this Queenslander pub could talk, the stories would be incredible! The original hotel was destroyed by fire in 1934, and while a number of renovations have taken place since, the famous façade and design remains true to the vision of the 1934 builders. Under exciting new ownership, the hotel will once again welcome locals and travellers. The kitchen will champion local produce and pours (look out for the Beauy Beer!), with a seasonal menu and specials like Sunday Roasts, Shanks & Shiraz and traditional pub classics. It’s home to the dining room (called Red’s Kitchen), a micro-brewery, outdoor Garden Bar, Sports Bar and event spaces. On weekends The Chandelier Room upstairs will open, featuring an art deco premium bar that’s home to jazz-paired cocktails, boutique wines and lots of swagger! There’s also a dedicated area for kids, and NO pokies onsite anywhere!
New Activities & Adventures in the Scenic Rim
Canyon Flyer – re-opening JANUARY 10 2025
Australia's largest, highest and fastest zip line tour re-opens on January 10, 2025! Following the destructive weather event on Christmas Day 2023, the Canyon Flyer has been meticulously rebuilt and now boasts an additional zipline to the seven over the 1.4km course; an even more exhilarating experience! It’s an adrenaline-pumping immersive flight through the treetops, at home at Thunderbird Park. Thunderbird Park: Canyon Flyer Zipline | Tamborine Mountain, QLD
Happitat – Cliff Park: OPENING EARLY 2025 (at Binna Burra)
Happitat is a world-first cliff park, based in the Binna Burra (one of Australia's first eco-tourism destinations Home | Binna Burra Lodge), section of Woonoongoora-Lamington National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gold Coast hinterland. Set 400m above the valley floor, on a 200m high cliff face, the sheer exposure to this elevation and it’s majestic views are breathtaking. Phase one of Happitat consists of three ziplines, including what will be Australia’s highest, via ferrata courses, tight rope sections and suspension bridges. And, that’s just the beginning! While the adventures on offer set Happitat apart, their true purpose is to reconnect people and nature. Happitat Adventure Park | Find Happi
➡️ Mega Zipline – Australia’s highest zipline: Over this this one-hour adventure, soar 200 metres above some of the most pristine National Park in Australia at top speeds in state-of-the-art equipment. It’s just you, nature and the wind!
➡️ Via Ferrata: Via ferrata means “iron way” in Italian, and features metal cables, iron pins and foot holds on protected climbing routes. At Happitat it’s a completely new cliff-face adventure - tightrope walking, timber log crossings, a net and 80 metre sky bridge journey, peppered with lookouts and spectacular views.
➡️ Cliff Conqueror: Soar 200 metres above the rainforest floor on three of Australia’s highest ziplines, and in between, there’s the mountaineering and navigating of daring Via Ferrata sections requiring equal parts courage and focus. What a reset!
Heritage Poultry – Sunday Farm Days
This year Heritage Poultry launched Sunday Farm Days at Harrisville. Held on the last Sunday of every month, there’s an animal farm nursery, chicks, ducklings, silkies, coffee, food and drink, and Scenic Rim Produce. Kids can feed the goats, sheep, chickens, ducks and more, and all less than an hour from Brisbane. Make it a full day and visit Boonah and Kalbar as well. Heritage Farm Harrisville - Heritage Poultry and Produce
The Floral Atelier
Floral artist Katherine Chamberlain creates bespoke florals in this stunning workshop and studio at North Stores on Tamborine Mountain. She also hosts regular masterclasses. The Floral Atelier by Arched Poppy
Yarriba Dreaming at Mount Barney Lodge
Launched this year, and the only cultural immersion program in Southern Queensland, YARRIBA DREAMING, is a collaboration between Savannah Guides and Mt Barney Lodge. The experience sees participants immersed in the ancient landscapes of the Scenic Rim - walking, sharing stories, learning traditional Indigenous ways of living, and considering their own place in nature, hosted by Gurruhmun ‘Old Man Kangaroo’, a Ugarapul and Bidjara man with ancient local heritage, and the acclaimed Mt Barney Lodge guides. Experience - Mt Barney Lodge
Sol Elements Bathhouse – Autumn 2025
Immerse in a transformative sanctuary at SOL Elements Bathhouse, opening early Autumn 2025. Nestled at Tamborine Mountain Glades, this luxurious spa retreat blends ancient bathing traditions with modern wellness innovations. From rejuvenating thermal pools to soul-soothing rituals inspired by the elements, every detail is designed to ignite balance, serenity, and renewal. Sol
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 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 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.
For media opportunities, imagery and more, contact Kath Rose on kath@kathrose.com or 0416 291 493
Contact details:
For media opportunities, imagery and more, contact Kath Rose on kath@kathrose.com or 0416 291 493
