Flowers, Farms & Camels

We begin an hour south west of Brisbane or 30 minutes from Boonah, just outside Harrisville at Summer Land Camels. This camel farm offers a chance to learn about the history of camels in Australia and the process of producing the farm’s award-winning camel milk, cheeses, gelato, skincare and the world’s first vodka made from camel milk whey and honey.

Only eight minutes south of your camel adventure, you’ll find a mushroom farm born from a family tradition of picking mushrooms after the rainfall. Open from 10am to 3pm every Saturday, Scenic Rim Mushrooms showcases how to farm boutique Australian mushrooms and transform them into products such as elixirs. This farm gate stop is dog friendly.

Just a little further down the road we move from delicious things to eat to delicious scents to pamper your skin. Welcome to Coco and Myrtle. Founder, Gemma is an animal-loving, garden-growing, hardworking woman who makes skin, hair, bath and home products using the produce of farmers she finds around her. Make an appointment to tour the operation and visit the farm gate shop to indulge in hand-crafted Coochin Spicy Pumpkin soap or a bath fizzer.

From here there are two roads to Kalbar. One takes you passed the beautiful Queenslander style architecture of Harrisville’s main street, through Milora and Kents Lagoon. If you’re seeking farm accommodation with style, turn off at Munbilla and head to the 100-year-old Lumiere Farmhouse. It’s beautifully designed and set on rolling hills with old fashioned fun in its heart.

The other route to Kalbar takes you through Warrill View and offers easy access to a cosy country cottage should you wish to stay in the area.

The Scenic Rim View Cottages is an award-winning, Bed and Breakfast style accommodation. Substantial breakfast hampers can be enjoyed on the large verandah overlooking the Great Dividing Range.

Kalbar itself is located in the Fassifern Valley. It has a rich German history with many German immigrants settling in the village to farm the fertile soil in the 1870s. Many ancestors of those settlers still live and work the area today.

This proud history is evident in many of the town’s buildings, each with its own unique story. Make sure to stop off and browse through the artisan wares and collectibles at The Emporium in the old Wiss Bros building.

Just seven minutes north of Kalbar, it’s time to stop and smell the flowers … quite literally.  Open Friday to Sunday from 8.30am to 4.00pm, Elderflower Farm in the beautiful grounds of the Scenic Rim Farm Shop and Cafe, grows fields of colourful heirloom blooms and sells fresh flowers and boutique homewares in their store. You’ll want to stop by the cafe to refuel with local coffee and flavoursome, fresh food and stock up on fresh local produce.

After walking fields of flowers, there’s romance in the air. And one of the region’s most luxurious and romantic accommodation options is just minutes away. Herrmann House is designed with crisp whites, rich blacks and decadent fabrics.

Located on the site of one of Kalbar’s oldest houses, Herrmann House offers an old-world sense of romance. A broad balcony opens to views of sprawling farmland and stunning gardens. Little touches of luxury throughout the House will have you wanting to stay forever.