Visit Scenic Rim

Glamping has them all in a flap

alice — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:53:06 +0000

WHEN Leona Taylor opened the flaps to her Ketchup’s Bank Glamping tents in the Scenic Rim she had a good idea of who her market would be.

Six months later, Leona has discovered the Glamping market is much wider than she could ever have imagined.

She’s welcomed visitors aged in their early 20s to their 80s, all attracted by the prospect of enjoying the simplicity of camping without the hassles.

It’s camping, but not as we know it.

Sure there’s a tent and a private campfire but there’s also comfy queen-sized beds, luxurious linen, hot showers and a well-equipped camp kitchen. Pack your clothes and yourself and virtually everything else is provided by Leona.

The generous food hampers – featuring Scenic Rim meat and fresh produce – are also popular.

The business has generated so much interest that Leona’s webhosts had to increase the website bandwith to cope the amount of online traffic she was generating.

Ketchup’s Bank Glamping has been featured in a number of print and online publications. Leona says the most exciting was definitely being named Top Romantic Getaway by the Good Weekend annual guide, published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. KBG was one of just two Queensland getaways to make the annual guide of 52 great Australian short breaks.

Then there was the write up in the Courier Mail’s Q Weekend Magazine, a feature in the Queensland Times and mentions in Women’s Day and Wellbeing Magazine. She has also been featured on Channel Seven’s Queensland Weekender.

“The market is just so much broader than I expected,” says Leona.

“We’ve had young people in their 20s and guests aged in their 80s. They enjoy being able to camp without the hassles. Most of our guests stay two to three days and come from Coffs Harbour to Hervey Bay and beyond. We’ve had half a dozen international bookings and we’re really interested in that market.”

Leona has big plans for 2012. She hopes to expand beyond the existing two tents and construct more private camping spots, including one called The Pinnacle. It will take prime position on the scenic property and enjoy 180 degree views over Cannon Creek. It will also boast a separate lounge-room and plunge tub.

Accommodation prices start at $249.night for a couple and there’s a minimum two-night stay policy. Find out more at www.ketchupsbankglamping.com.au

Binna Burra Sky Lodges to open in December

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:40:58 +0000

Binna Burra Lodge’s luxury Sky Lodge will open in late December, offering visitors the opportunity to stay in the heart of the National Park in self-contained comfort.
The Sky Lodges are surrounded by World Heritage-listed Lamington National park and offer a luxurious accommodation alternative to the traditional Mountain Lodge.
Accommodation includes studios, one-bedroom, two and three-bedroom apartments in buildings which have been constructed from stone and timber.
The Sky Lodges are environmentally sensitive, solar-passive and energy efficient in their design.

All apartments feature spectacular north-facing views of the Coomera and Numinbah Valleys.
Binna Burra Mountain Lodge was first conceived by tourism pioneers Arthur Groom and Romeo Lahey.

Make a booking now.

Cool down with us this summer

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:34:17 +0000

Escape the crowds and the city heat this holiday season and escape to the cool climes of the Scenic Rim.
Relax under a rainforest canopy in one of our eight National Parks. Swim in one of our three dams, or curl up under the shade of a tree in this beautiful region.
If you want to see the Scenic Rim’s natural beauty, one of the best ways to get a true sense of the region is on foot. A new guide outlines some of the Scenic Rim’s favourite walks.
The Scenic Rim Regional Council, in conjunction with Brisbane Marketing, recently compiled a guide to the region’s top 30 National Park walks.
Find out more

New guide to Scenic Rim Wildlife

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:32:40 +0000

The Queensland Museum and the Scenic Rim Regional Council have just released the Wildlife of the Scenic Rim Guide.
It’s the third in a series of guides which document the region’s natural environment.
The Guide will be available for purchase for $9.95 through the Queensland Museum Explorer Shop and the Scenic Rim Visitor Information Centres at Canungra, Tamborine Mountain, Beaudesert, Rathdowney and Boonah.
The Scenic Rim is one of Queensland’s great natural treasure troves. The climate, vegetation and landscape combine to provide habitat for an extraordinary diversity of animals, including the rarest of Australia’s two lyrebirds and a small frog that cares for its offspring in a marsupial-like manner.
The high mountains, which dominate the region’s landscape, have protected the wildlife by providing havens for plants and animals dependent on the temperate conditions which once prevailed across Australia.
The guidebook introduces readers to the extraordinary wildlife of the Scenic Rim. The species selected include some that are easily seen, as well as others that are rare and secretive. It is hoped that the reader may better understand why the Scenic Rim is such an important part of Australia’s natural heritage and why it is so attractive to scientists, naturalists, birdwatchers and visitors from around the world.

Spicers Peak Lodge wins again

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:30:35 +0000

Spicers Peak Lodge, a stunning mountain retreat in the Scenic Rim, won the Best Luxury Accommodation Award at the recent Queensland Tourism Awards.
The retreat has long been the toast of the state’s tourism industry, winning the award in 2006, 2007 and 2010.
The awards were presented at a gala event in Brisbane last month and are recognised as the industry’s most prestigious awards program.
The Scenic Rim Regional Council’s Destination Marketing was also recognised as a finalist in the Richard Power Award for Tourism Award.
Witches Falls Cottages at Tamborine Mountain was a finalist in the hosted accommodation category and O’Reillys Valley Vineyard was a finalist in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries category.
Spicers Group CEO, Danielle Duell, says the group was nominated for six awards this year, including its new city retreat, Spicers Balfour Hotel.
Spicers Peak Lodge is Australia’s highest non alpine lodge retreat, situated 1,130m above sea level atop a 9,000 acre working farm. Enveloped by the World Heritage listed Main Range National Park, the property can only be seen from the air, ensuring absolute privacy for guests. The hotel features 10 luxury suites and two private lodges designed to reflect the outdoor landscape.
Spicers Peak Lodge general manager Anne-Marelle Meijer said the Scenic Rim property strived to deliver only the very best for its guests.
“This is an absolute honour for Spicers Peak Lodge and our team to win the Best Luxury Accommodation Award again,” she said.
“Recognition by the industry and fabulous feedback from our guests inspires us to continually deliver a higher level of service, especially with our focus on fine food and wine.
“We aim to provide something truly unique in Queensland, and soon will be opening our new day spa which will even further enhance the guest experience.”
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the annual awards recognise the resilience of local tourism operators.
“In true Queensland style, they have dug deep and continued to deliver our visitors a shining holiday experience,” says Bligh.
“They lead the pack through innovation, stand-out business practices and exceptional service, product and experiences.”

Get some Vitamin Me in the Scenic Rim

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:15:54 +0000

Scenic Rim Regional Council’s Tourism Development Co-ordinator, Cathie Johnston, talks about why she loves nothing better than getting some ‘Vitamin Me’ in the Scenic Rim.

The Scenic Rim, as both our backyard and as a greater destination, offers a perfect fit of experiences with Vitamin Me. We are, in fact, one of Queensland’s richest sources of Vitamin Me. With our World Heritage-listed values and qualities, you could even quite confidently make the claim that Scenic Rim offers one of the highest concentrations anywhere on earth.

And where else do we find evidence of Vitamin Me, apart from our amazing natural assets?

Right here in our communities, in our people, and in our experiences … that’s where!

I have often been amazed as to how many events and festivals are taking place at any one time right around the Scenic Rim. Such passion-fuelled celebration affords locals and visitors alike very special opportunities to connect and re-connect. Check out what’s on this weekend via the events calendar on www.visitscenicrim.com.au

Our local tourism businesses then continuously further this essential connection to the entire, healthy suite of Scenic Rim experiences on offer.

Let’s test your ‘Vitamin Me’ levels right now on the Scenic Rim barometer, shall we?

1. When did you last take a walk through a quiet, cool, calm rainforest of the Scenic Rim … and feel the cold creek waters on your wrists or the gentle spray of a waterfall on your face?
2. When did you last take a scenic drive to a scenic lookout to simply marvel at our majestic mountains?
3. When did you last picnic beside one of our beautiful lakeside settings or just dangle a line for a quiet spot of fishing?
4. When did you last pop into a local vineyard to chat to the winemaker and enjoy a local drop over a local cheese platter?
5. When did you last ride a horse, feel the friendly lick of a cattle dog, or cuddle a baby alpaca?

These are all things that would go a long way to replenish, rejuvenate and re-connect us individually and together.

If your answers to the above questions were along the timelines of ‘not in the past 3 months’ … then it’s high time that you took a dose of Vitamin Me. On a personal level, I’d like to let you know that my answer to all of the above was … ‘less than one month ago’ … and so my Scenic Rim Vitamin Me levels are extraordinarily high!

The Scenic Rim has been and will continue to be a very special place for me – it’s been the very best source of Vitamin Me for me … ever! I wish all across the Scenic Rim … and all of our visitors … the very best of health, good luck and happiness in the world. Here’s cheers to all of the elixirs for that unique and enduring Scenic Rim spirit!

Cathie Johnston, Tourism Development Co-ordinator Scenic Rim Regional Council

Spoil yourself at Pethers

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:12:09 +0000

Spoil yourself at the 2012 Yoga & Wellbeing Workshop, being hosted by Pethers Rainforest Retreat at Tamborine Mountain.
Pethers is one of the region’s finest rainforest retreats and from February 19 to 22 will host a journey of self-discovery.
The workshop offers a unique combination of yoga, nutritional lectures and guidance, meditation, massage, rainforest walks, relaxation and superb cuisine.
Balance all aspects of your life and take a journey of self discovery.
Find out more

Scenic Rim operators in the news

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:03:05 +0000

Scenic Rim tourism operators have been in the news recently, promoting the fabulous experiences they offer visitors.
Pam and Doug Hardgrave and their Lillydale Farmstay were featured in the Sunday Mail as part of the Tourism Queensland Pledge promotion.
The Sunday Mail is Queensland’s biggest circulating newspaper and the coverage celebrated the Hardgrave’s achievements and the unique experience they offer holidaymakers.
A newer operator, Tim Scarisbrick and his EcoSafaris Queensland, were recently featured on Queensland Weekender. Tim conducts boutique tours of the Scenic Rim. He offers a home pick-up service and says his wine and food tours are proving very popular. Queensland Weekender featured a tour which took in Queen Mary Falls, Spring Creek Mountain Cafe, Destiny Boonah’s Eco Tour and a glass of Australian champagne at sunset.
National Geographic China recently asked Tim to take them on a tour of the Scenic Rim. Watch the National Geographic video now.
Albert River Wines, Wallaby Ridge Retreat and Balloon Hot Air were all featured in a travel piece which ran in the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Paradise Magazine.

Dorothy flies high over Scenic Rim

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:56:57 +0000

Dorothy O’Sullivan chose to celebrate her 98th birthday by flying high above the Scenic Rim in a hot air balloon.
Dorothy revealed that age is no barrier to having fun when she took to the skies recently with the Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Company.
Hot air ballooning is man’s oldest form of flight and has been around for 228 years.
Friends encouraged Dorothy to chase her long-held dream of flying in a hot air balloon and as a birthday surprise her family booked her flight.
The Hot Air Balloon Company operates over the Ipswich, Scenic Rim and Somerset regions.
Chief Pilot Graeme Day says Dorothy had a great time and enjoyed her ballooning experience.
“ This is one part of my job that I really love, the gift of sharing with people their first
balloon experience,” he says.
“I love revealing how hot air balloons work and flying our balloon over this stunning region.
“At the moment with Jacaranda’s in bloom and the countryside is green again.
“All this and it’s only 30 minutes from the Brisbane CBD.”
Dorothy declared her first balloon flight was a ‘beautiful surprise’ for her 98th birthday.
Floating Images offers morning flights all year round. This tranquil form of transport allows people to view the scenery of the heritage city of Ipswich and the Scenic Rim region, a diverse and beautiful region set against the spectacular natural backdrop of the Great Dividing Range.
Find out more at www.floatingimages.com.au

Opportunities for tourism industry

alice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:41:23 +0000

The Scenic Rim Regional Council launched the Visit Scenic Rim website and Scenic Rim destination brand two years ago and since then has delivered a wealth of benefits to the industry.
Since the launch in November 2009 the Council has worked with the tourism industry to deliver a range of initiatives and build on the brand which focuses on the region’s natural attractions, including the diverse mountain ranges, the World Heritage-listed rainforests and the local people.
If your business is not taking advantage of the free opportunities provided by the Council’s Tourism and Economic Development Department make contact now.

Some of the BENEFITS for local tourism businesses provided by Scenic Rim Regional Council include:

FREE business listing in tourism directory on visitscenicrim.com.au
FREE event listing in events calendar on visitscenicrim.com.au
FREE opportunities to include package deals via visitscenicrim.com.au online campaigns
Publicity opportunities via monthly tourism e-newsletters & news blog on visitscenicrim.com.au
FREE brochure distribution service via the VICs
FREE regional touring map pads to provide to visitors
Organised Media Famil participation opportunities
Regional Brand logo application & utilisation opportunities
Regional Image Library usage
Regional Merchandise sales opportunity
Print advertising opportunities
FREE participation in major online campaigns with Brisbane Marketing – wotif.com/godo.com
FREE print collateral to provide for visitors during their stay, for example … motivational brochure & studio trails brochure
Wild Guides, Heritage Guides & Wildlife Guides (available for purchase via Scenic Rim VICs or Queensland Museum) … to assist visitor interpretation & experience of region
Opportunities to submit itinerary ideas & media coverage captured for additional online showcasing
Access to regional strategy frameworks and visitor statistics to assist funding application process

… & many more!