View a selection of the videos that showcase the Scenic Rim Region.
Central Scenic Rim
Beaudesert and the Lost World Valley
Our People
While you’re here
Lost World Valley, Queensland Weekender video
our town Beaudesert PDF
BEAUDESERT is a vibrant business centre, home to more than 5000 people and growing every day.
Like many other parts of the Scenic Rim, Beaudesert was built on the back of rural production, home to successful dairies, timber mills, beef studs and horticulture. It is also well-known for its impressive array of local equine pursuits.
Farming continues today, although the town of Beaudesert has also welcomed a new generation of residents attracted by a simpler life than city living can offer. Here they can keep chooks and horses in the back paddock, tend to their veggie patch in the front yard, yet still have access to those modern day essentials.
Once you’ve had a look around the town and refreshed yourself with a meal at one of the local cafes, pubs or clubs, jump in your car and head east. Soon you’ll come to the historic Kerry Hall which still hosts old-style dances, foxtrot anyone?
Further down the road and you’ll cross Christmas Creek, drive past the tiny Darlington School and enter the incredible Lost World Valley. As far as names go, this one’s pretty accurate.
The ancient trees which line the road begin to close in on you. The dramatic Razorback Mountain towers in the distance, and the road narrows as you head into this magical lost world.
Then the vista opens up to reveal the lush, green valley, welcome to the wilderness end of the Lamington National Park. Lost World is a hidden plateau, a green shelf on Razorback Mountain, originally discovered by the O’Reilly family.
An original old homestead not only still stands, but it offers farm stay experiences, including horseriding, milking, four-wheel driving, and a special insight into Lost World history.
There are a number of accommodation options to choose from. You can take in a cooking class using the native produce or swim in the chill, pristine rock pools, let the natural creek spa soothe your joints after a long bushwalk. Hear the call of native birds amid an unforgettable backdrop.
Kooralbyn Valley
Kooralbyn, whose colourful aboriginal name means The Place of the Copperhead Snake, is situated 22km from the town of Beaudesert.
It was one of the great pastoral properties of the region for well over 100 years, and its history can be traced back to the 1840s. Its original settler was John ‘Tinker’ Campbell.
The valley is a unique, leisure-oriented community estate development, combining golf, horse riding and other recreational pursuits with a semi-rural lifestyle.
Kooralbyn has a general store, service station, mechanical repair business, real estate agents, as well as a number other businesses.
For more information on Beaudesert, Lost World Valley and Kooralbyn and their heritage, click here.
Our People
Peter Stephens
PETER Stephens’ family were the first selectors in the Lost World Valley, arriving more than 120 years ago. They cleared the heavily-wooded land and started breeding and raising cattle.
His grandfather built the Cedar Glen homestead in 1901. When Peter took over the family farm he diversified into the farmstay business, initially as a small sideline interest. Hosting tourists on this 420-hectare cattle property is now the family’s core business. Peter’s son, and fourth generation farmer Nigel, is now looking after the day to-day running. Visitors from interstate and abroad love being able to ride a horse, milk a cow, chase a chook and stay in the farm’s historic homestead.
While you’re here
- Go for a leisurely drive down the country roads, where will you end up?
- Soak up the atmosphere of real country town pubs
- Grab a Beaudesert Blue Pumpkin for soup or scones
- Visit St Mary’s Church in Beaudesert, one of the largest timber churches in Australia
- Learn about local history at the museum
- Admire the strapping thoroughbreds stabled in local paddocks and first-class equestrian complexes
- Experience country racing
- Stock up on quality local craftwork at a weekend market
- Learn to cook with wild produce
- Explore on horseback, crack a stock whip, sing songs by the campfire, and dine on damper and billy tea
- See us from above in a hot air balloon
- Sip local wines or picnic at a nearby winery
For information on all other Scenic Rim Communities, click here.
For the latest Scenic Rim tourism brochure PDF, click here. or
Phone 1300 881 164 to request a copy of the new Scenic Rim tourism brochure to be posted or
Email your brochure request with your name and mailing address to: tourism@scenicrim.qld.gov.au
We have also just released a Scenic Rim DVD click here to view
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