View a selection of the videos that showcase the Scenic Rim Region.
Touring the Scenic Rim
TAKE a scenic drive around the Scenic Rim, take a look at some suggested itineraries or plan your trip along some major cross-regional touring routes.
Suggested Scenic Rim Itineraries
Major Cross-Regional Touring Routes
Scenic Rim Regional Touring Map
Start planning your journey here.
Suggested Scenic Rim Drives
Canungra, Lamington and Beechmont
Drives:
LEAVE Canungra and take the Lamington National Park Road past two of our local wineries. This ‘goat track’ (not suitable for caravans or large vehicles) will deliver you to O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat and the Lamington National Park.
Or from Canungra you can head east out of town towards Tamborine and take another ‘goat track’ up to Tamborine Mountain. Again this road is not suitable for caravans or large vehicles. It leads you to Tamborine Mountain, situated 550m above sea level.
A third option, leaving from Canungra, is to take the scenic Rainforest Way drive up to the Lamington Plateau and the community of Beechmont.
On the trip back to the Gold Coast stop in at Roisins Lookout at Beechmont, it is a hang gliding and paragliding take off point.
Tamborine Mountain
Drives:
Drive along Main Western Road and pull in at one of the many vantage points that offer spectacular views of the valley below and beyond. Chances are you will also see accomplished hang gliders and para-gliders launch themselves off the top of this mountain.
From Tamborine Mountain, there are views to the Gold Coast and to the continuing chain of mountains around the spectacular Scenic Rim.
Beaudesert and Lost World Valley
Drives:
The Kerry Road will deliver you to the Lost World Valley, a scenic peaceful valley at the wilderness end of the Lamington National Park. Here you can learn to cook with wild foods, go horse riding, milk a cow, or simply unwind and enjoy the peace. Bushwalking and four-wheel driving are also popular past-times here.
If it’s magnificent scenery you are after then don’t miss the Boonah-Rathdowney road that loops from Rathdowney to Boonah, running past Mt Barney and the Maroon Dam.
Or you could travel north along the Mt Lindesay Highway to Camp Cable Road and the WWII memorial, then follow the Tamborine-Waterford Road back to Beaudesert, visiting a pub and winery along the way.
When you travel south from Beaudesert along the Lions Road and Summerland Way you will enjoy great views of Mt Lindesay
Mt Barney and Rathdowney
Drives:
Head west from Rathdowney and you’ll drive through the ranges and past diverse, beautiful scenery. This drive takes you via Burnett Creek Road, Fletcher and White Swamp Roads and across the Queensland-New South Wales border. You’ll pass through the very green pastures of Killarney, through Spring Creek and onto the Queen Mary Falls.
Four-wheel driving enthusiasts can follow the track through the Condamine River Road and Killarney Gorge to Killarney.
Rathdowney to Lions Road and Tweed Range
This drive offers varied forest types, mountain scenery, a rich bird life and, insights into the geological history of the Scenic Rim. You will also be presented with opportunities to plunge into local swimming holes.
Rathdowney to Lamington Mountains
This drive explores four valleys of the Scenic Rim. You can gain access to Lamington National Park and end up on top of the Lamington Plateau at O’Reillys. Start in the fertile arable flats of the Logan River and drive through the picturesque sandy valley parts of the region. Four-wheel drives are a must on this journey.
Boonah
Drives:
Follow one of the area’s four themed heritage trails, Colourful Characters (history), Inspiration (artists and works of art), Feathered Friends (bird watching), Serenity (scenery). Pick up a brochure on these trails from one of the Scenic Rim’s Visitor Information Centres and take yourself on a self-guided tour.
Drive to the top of Mt French for easy bushwalking and outstanding views of the Scenic Rim mountains and the fertile Fassifern Valley with its patchwork of vegetable farms.
Explore the natural wonders of the Boonah region on a touring route.
Follow the Falls Drive to Queen Mary Falls and the Condamine River Road.
Aratula and Rosevale
Drives:
Aratula is the western gateway to the Scenic Rim and is a great place to stop for food, fuel and old wares. Take the Tarome Road (there is a section of dirt road) and follow it through to the historic Rosevale Pub. Drink in the spectacular mountains.
Roadvale, Kalbar, Harrisville and Peak Crossing
Drives:
Most drives in this region will lead you to a great country pub. Roadvale, Kalbar, Harrisville and Peak Crossing are all homes to pubs with loads of character. Enjoy the mountain views as you wind your way along quiet country roads, past local vegetable farms, historic churches and quaint towns.
Join the Scenic Rim Wine trail from Marburg through Boonah and on to Mt Barney tasting great wines while surrounded by magnificent mountains of the Scenic Rim.
Connect into the touring loop that takes you through charming country villages where you can enjoy the local produce; purchase quality art and crafts and meet the locals.
Suggested Scenic Rim Itineraries
Country Charm™ Discovery Tour
Commencing in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, this eco-certified, ‘easy-drive’ tour across the Scenic Rim follows a carefully designed itinerary which comprises visits to national parks with specialised interpretation of the flora, fauna and landforms as well as several boutique agricultural operations, a wildlife safari drive, and a visit to a fascinating heritage site. Three nights quality, 3 to 4 star accommodation and all meals are included. For further information and brochure download visit www.leisuresolutions.com.au/country_charm/
Tamborine Mountain Tours
Hop On – Hop Off
All Day Mountain Explorer Pass
Tamborine Mountain is a sub-tropical natural sanctuary located just 40 minutes inland from the Gold Coast.
Discover Tamborine Mountain at your own pace aboard tram style Trolley buses. With over 15 stops on this scenic Mountain Explorer Loop, you can enjoy the attractions, shops, nature trails and natural beauty of Tamborine with the freedom to spend more time in places that you want to explore.
Enjoy everything that Tamborine has to offer with your All day Mountain Explorer Pass:
* National Parks & bush-walking
* Adventure Activities – horse riding, giant ropes course, Adventure Parc
* Wine Tasting
* Gallery Walk craft shops, cafes & boutiques
* Famous Glow Worm Caves
* Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
* Witches Chase Cheese Factory & MT Brewery
And many more attractions …
Hop on and off wherever you like along the Mountain Explorer Loop. Experienced drivers will entertain you with their commentary and local knowledge of the mountain.
The Mountain Explorer Loop departs from Tamborine Mountain Tours Headquarters at 148 Long Road Eagle Heights, conveniently located next to Gallery Walk.
The Mountain Explorer Loop operates daily from 10am – 4pm. Transfers from the Gold Coast are available at additional cost.
Bookings essential. Phone 07 5545 4321
For Pass prices and further information, visit www.tamborinemountaintours.com
More Itineraries Coming Soon! One Day, Two Day, Week and Fortnight Itineraries.
Major Cross-Regional Touring Routes
Scenic Rim Tourist Drive – (16)
THE Scenic Rim Tourist Drive starts and ends at the village of Tamborine and on the outskirts of Ipswich.
Click here for map
Scenic Rim Wine Trail
Click here for more info on the A8 Gold Coast Hinterland Food & Wine Trail.
Click here for map of Gold Coast Hinterland Food & Wine Trail
Greater Brisbane Drive
Click here for more information on the Greater Brisbane Drive
Summerland Way
Click here for more information on Summerland Way
The Scenic Drive itinerary
Click here for further information on The Scenic Drive
The Heritage Drive
Click here for further information on The Heritage Way
Rainforest Way
Click here for more information for Rainforest Way