From sunflowers to Clydesdales to haybale art and a month-long food festival….
Here’s the top 10 unmissable events in the Scenic Rim this year
Just an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, passionate producers, amazing produce and warm country hospitality. But it’s the region’s vibrant calendar of festivals, trails and community celebrations that truly brings the region to life. From sunflower fields and open farm gates to arts trails, food feasts and quirky country traditions, the Scenic Rim hosts a packed program of events across the year — and there’s never been a better time to plan a visit. Keen to join the fun? Here are ten events worth putting in the diary (IMAGES HERE)
Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails | 29 March and 26 July
The much-loved Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails see farmers, growers, producers, winemakers, brewers, distillers and flavour-makers across the region throw open their gates for a day celebrating where food really comes from.
Visitors travel from farm to farm meeting the people behind the produce, sampling incredible local flavours and learning first-hand how food is grown, raised and crafted in the Scenic Rim. Most leave with full stomachs, a boot full of local produce and a newfound appreciation for the region’s farmers. Just over an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it’s the perfect day trip – or the ideal excuse to stay the weekend. Both trails run from 9am to 3pm. Home - Destination Scenic Rim
Kalbar Sunflower Festival | 3 May
For a few spectacular days each year, a farm on the outskirts of Kalbar transforms into a golden sea of more than one million sunflowers in bloom. The Kalbar Sunflower Festival invites visitors to wander through the towering fields, snap the ultimate photo moment and soak up the cheerful country atmosphere. Alongside the flowers, the festival features live music, local food vendors, market stalls and family-friendly activities – making it a joyful day out in the countryside. Kalbar Sunflower Festival
Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail | May
Tamborine Mountain has long been known as one of Queensland’s creative heartlands, and the Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail offers a rare chance to step inside that artistic world. Across three inspiring days, painters, sculptors, potters, photographers and multi-disciplinary artists open their studios and creative spaces to visitors. The trail offers an intimate glimpse into the creative process, with gallery openings, artist talks, workshops and live performances creating an experience that goes far beyond simply viewing art. Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month | June
Not just one event – but an entire month of them!! Each June, the Scenic Rim celebrates its extraordinary food culture with Eat Local Month, a region-wide program showcasing the farmers, chefs, growers and producers who make the area one of Australia’s most exciting food destinations. Visitors can enjoy long lunches in spectacular locations, cooking classes with local chefs, farm tours, tastings, hands-on workshops and family-friendly experiences. From lavender farms to mountain-top dining, every event celebrates seasonal produce and the people who grow it. There are also farmers’ markets, campfire cookouts, paddock-to-plate experiences and plenty of opportunities to meet the locals behind the region’s incredible food story. Eat Local Month
Winter Harvest Festival | 27 June
The signature event of Eat Local Month, the Winter Harvest Festival is a huge celebration of Scenic Rim flavour and farming. Held in Kalbar, the festival brings together producers from across the region for a vibrant day of food, music and community spirit. Visitors can stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, cheeses and craft beverages from more than 60 stalls, enjoy ready-to-eat food from local vendors, watch cooking demonstrations and listen to live music. Crowd favourites include the famous Tractor Pull competition, where teams compete for community pride and serious bragging rights. Winter Harvest Festival
Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular | 11–14 June
Held in Beaudesert, the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is a magnificent celebration of the Clydesdale horse and the region’s deep agricultural heritage. Breeders and enthusiasts travel from across Australia to showcase these majestic animals, whether gliding through the show ring or working together to pull horse-drawn carriages. The event also celebrates the region’s Scottish roots, with pipe bands, tartan kilts, caber tossing and whip-cracking competitions creating a lively highland atmosphere. Traditional trades including blacksmithing, wheelwrighting and lumberjack demonstrations add to the experience, alongside great food, craft beer and plenty of fun for families. Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular
Scenic Rim Farming Expo | 12–13 June
Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, a backyard gardener or simply curious about rural life, the Scenic Rim Farming Expo offers something for everyone. Held in Harrisville, the two-day event showcases innovations in agriculture, sustainability and rural living while bringing together farmers, industry experts and the wider community. Visitors can watch demonstrations, meet producers, explore career opportunities in agriculture and gain insight into the future of farming in the region. Scenic Rim Farming Expo
Springtime on the Mountain | 25–27 September
Hosted by the Tamborine Mountain Garden Club, Springtime on the Mountain is a beloved open garden trail showcasing some of the mountain’s most beautiful private gardens. For three days, passionate gardeners open their gates, inviting visitors to wander through vibrant landscapes bursting with colour, scent and springtime blooms. With a detailed map guiding the way, it’s also the perfect opportunity to explore Tamborine Mountain’s cafés, galleries and boutiques along the journey. Springtime on the Mountain
Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival | 23–25 October
Tamborine Mountain is known for rainforests, wineries and charming village streets – but every October it becomes home to something a little more unusual. During the Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival, hundreds of imaginative scarecrows appear along roadsides, gardens and paddocks, transforming the mountain into a playful outdoor art trail. From whimsical to wildly creative, past entries have included mermaids, ballroom dancers, motorbike gangs and giant spiders – all crafted by locals with plenty of personality. Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival
Kalbar Hay Bale Trail and Country Day | 17 October
Few events capture country creativity quite like the Kalbar Hay Bale Trail.
In the lead-up to the festival, locals transform ordinary hay bales into extraordinary sculptures scattered throughout the town and surrounding countryside. Past creations have included Mick-hay and Min-hay Mouse, Kentuck-Hay Fried Chicken and the unforgettable Kalbar J-hay-l. The celebration culminates with Kalbar Country Day, when the entire main street fills with more than 140 market stalls, local produce, handmade goods and live entertainment – delivering a full day of country hospitality and community spirit. Kalbar’s Hay Bale Trail and Country Day
Looking for more great experiences in the Scenic Rim? The Scenic Rim is bursting with things to do and see all year round. Click here to explore.
Contact details:
Kath Rose 0416 291 493 [email protected]
