Your green getaway within the Scenic Rim: Where to stay, play & eat

Mt Barney Lodge

A true wilderness escape, Mt Barney Lodge, located 20 minutes from the town of Rathdowney, champions sustainability and authentic country accommodation set in natural bushland.

Designed to immerse you in the beauty of the surrounding World Heritage-listed Mt Barney National Park, the lodge invites you to reconnect with nature through hikes, wildlife encounters, star-filled night skies and the simple tranquillity of ancient landscapes.

Set on a sprawling property, choose your accommodation style from their range of Queenslander homesteads, rustic cabins, hybrid caravans or BYO campsites.

The lodge is deeply committed to conservation, actively protecting local flora and fauna through its partnership with the Glossy Black Conservancy, an organisation dedicated to safeguarding the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo, and by planting hundreds of seedlings and nesting trees to support their habitat.

On-site, Mt Barney Lodge follows thoughtful waste-reduction practices, managing four waste streams including compost, recycling, Containers for Change and soft plastics.

Wander

Located on the grounds of The Overflow Estate 1895 and just 15 minutes from Beaudesert, Wander offers a thoughtfully designed off-grid escape where comfort and sustainability go hand in hand.

Choose from five unique pods each featuring a contemporary, minimalist accommodation style that celebrates natural light, landscape views and a seamless connection to the outdoors.

All pods are fully off-grid, powered by solar energy and supported by rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling and high-performance, energy-efficient prefabrication. Wander is working towards a zero-waste system by limiting single-use packaging, encouraging recycling and composting organic waste through Subpod compost bins, making sustainability an effortless part of the stay.

Beyond the pods, Wander is committed to protecting the environment that surrounds it, proudly supporting Bush Heritage Australia and their work to conserve and regenerate native bushland. It’s an immersive, low-impact retreat that proves eco-conscious travel can still feel elevated, restorative and beautifully considered.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Perched high in the Lamington National Park where the temps are seven degrees cooler than the coast, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a truly tranquil paradise.

Founded in 1926, and operated by a third-generation family, the connection to the ancient landscape underpins every stay in ways that are both rejuvenating, enjoyable and steeped in conservation and low-impact experiences.

There’s accommodation ranging from cosy mountain villas to heritage-style rooms, all designed to sit gently within the rainforest environment while offering modern comforts and sweeping hinterland views. Wake to birdsong, misty mornings and crisp mountain air, knowing your stay supports long-standing environmental stewardship.

Join guided bird walks led by expert naturalists, get up close during engaging wildlife shows or stroll above the canopy on the iconic Tree Top Walk to see the rainforest from a new perspective. For adventure seekers, an off-road two-wheeled Segway tour winds through creek crossings to the spectacular Morans Falls.

After a day of exploration, unwind with a deeply relaxing treatment at the Lost World Day Spa, inspired by the natural surroundings.

O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk

Located in the Lamington National Park, 50 minutes south of Canungra, step into the rainforest canopy on O’Reilly’s iconic Tree Top Walk. Suspended bridges carry you through cool, vine-draped flowering and fruiting trees.

For an even higher perspective, climb to the two observation decks built within a towering Strangler Fig, offering expansive views and a true sense of being immersed in the forest above the ground.

Canyon Flyer Zipline Tours

Are you ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush on the longest zipline tour in Australia? Nestled on Tamborine Mountain Road, halfway up the mountain, glide above the rainforest canopy 70m off the ground and see nature from a birds-eye point of view on the Canyon Flyer Zipline Tours.

Designed to inspire environmental awareness and foster connection to nature, you’ll walk (or zip) away with a new appreciation for our beautiful region.

Southern Cross Tours

Immerse yourself in the Gold Coast hinterland with Southern Cross Tours, whose expert local guides know the rainforests, hidden lookouts, townships and walking trails like the back of their hand.

Offering small-group experiences, the team pairs personalised storytelling with a strong commitment to sustainability by partnering with Reforest. Together they remove 50% of the CO2 produced by their tours, by planting trees in Australian-based reforestation projects.

Choose from koala and kangaroo animal encounters, waterfall wonderlands, vineyards – or a little bit of everything.

Araucaria EcoTours

Have you dreamed of being a citizen scientist or conservation volunteer for a day? Then a tour with Araucaria EcoTours will give you a hands-on experience with a distinct difference to other tours.

Run by wildlife consultants, you’ll not only see and learn about the range of species that live in Australia’s third highest biodiverse region, you’ll join the team in marking observations for ecological research.

From koalas and kangaroos, to bats, birds and lizards, this one is for the animal lovers of the Scenic Rim.

Tamborine Mountain Glades

Tamborine Mountain Glades is a paradise for adventurers of all ages, located a short 8 minute drive from the Tamborine Mountain township.

At the on-site Thunderbird Park choose from fun kids activities like unearthing ancient thundereggs, soaring through the canopy on the TreeTop Challenge, or trying out excavators in the Dig IT park.

For adults, relax with a soak in an outdoor tub or lace up your boots for a walk in nature.

Tamborine Mountain Glades sustainable practices include emissions monitoring, landfill waste reduction, supporting local and ethical suppliers, edible gardens and composting.

The Kooroomba Kitchen

You know the Insta-worthy views of lavender fields, but what you may not know is that The Kooroomba Kitchen also sources its ingredients locally and even grows much of their own produce on site.

Located 12 minutes from Boonah, enjoy paddock-to-plate dining and seasonally inspired meals paired with hand-crafted wines, all while soaking in the panoramic views of the farms stunning landscapes.

Summer Land Camel Café

Summer Land Camels Café in Harrisville offers a farm-to-table experience, where you can taste the difference of camel milk in your morning coffee and indulge in the distinctive flavour profiles.

After meeting the gentle herd of camels on a farm tour, relax at the café and discover how this award-winning camel dairy turns fresh, local ingredients into something nourishing and delicious.

Be sure to try their signature Camelcino or creamy camel milk gelato, all made using milk from their very own camels.

Scenic Rim Farm Shop

The Scenic Rim Farm Shop, located 7 minutes from Kalbar, is a celebration of local flavours and community spirit that proudly supports nearby farmers, growers and artisans.

While the focus is on minimal food miles, this charming spot is a true representation of the authentic taste of the Scenic Rim.

Join them for breakfast or lunch and enjoy the shade of the large Jacaranda trees on the lawn, before stocking your esky from their curated shopfront.

As one of only 12 destinations in Australia to achieve the prestigious ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia, the Scenic Rim’s sustainability initiatives are embedded within the local community and many local accommodation and operators embrace these in their offering and daily operations. 

Click here to find out more about travelling sustainably in our region and to see a comprehensive list of all Ecotourism certified businesses and plan your green escape today.