Discover regional produce, great hikes, wineries, and national parks in the Scenic Rim.

You’ll find plenty of country charm in the Scenic Rim in Queensland, a picturesque rural area located in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, a few hours drive south of Brisbane. Stalls selling everything from local avocados to freshly cut roses line the grassy roadside and everything is impossibly green. Narrow switchbacks offer plenty of thrills on the way up the mountain to World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park. At the top of the range near the historic O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, you’ll find brilliantly coloured parrots in every colour of the rainbow, a free tree top canopy walk and well-signed trails winding through the rainforest. There are plenty of other things to do in the Scenic Rim as well. Raise a glass at Scenic Rim wineries, check out some of the best Scenic Rim restaurants, stroll along the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, or take in the view at Mt Barney National Park. Scenic Rim weather can get chilly in winter, making this the perfect time to hike the National Park and enjoy a glass of wine in front of a toasty warm fire.

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Highlights of the Scenic Rim

Hikers in Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park

World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park is filled with wonderful walking tracks, creeks and waterfalls to explore. Surround yourself with subtropical rainforest and hike to one of the lookouts with views over the Gold Coast and beyond to New South Wales.

View from Main Range National Park

Scenic Rim hikes

Explore the untouched mountains, forests and ancient volcanic plateaus of Main Range National Park. Bird calls provide a natural soundtrack as hikers ramble along the Scenic Rim’s rocky escarpments and take in the magnificent mountain views. 

View from Mt Barney National Park

Mt Barney National Park

Join your guide for a relaxed stroll up to a lookout point at Mt Barney National Park and watch the sun set with a glass of wine in hand, while snacking on some local delights like Scenic Rim olives and cheese – a perfect way to enjoy the superb view.

Couple wine tasting

Scenic Rim wineries

Visit Albert River Wines, a pretty boutique winery housed in a grand old homestead or head to Canungra Valley Vineyards, another lovely spot just up the road from the main township, before you take the winding road to Lamington National Park.

Cedar Creek Falls

See Cedar Creek Falls

Stroll above the trees on an elevated walkway at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, which has a 30-metre-high cantilever bridge soaring above the rainforest, or admire the gorge, waterfalls and rock pools on a walk to Cedar Creek Falls.

Green Mountain tree top walk

Explore Green Mountain

On top of Green Mountain, near the historic O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, you will find parrots in every colour of the rainbow and a free tree top walk which takes you high into the rainforest canopy where you can surround yourself with nature.

Scenic Rim Tour Reviews

Scenic Rim FAQs

Everyone travelling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travellers are required to produce:  

  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

  • All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

  • If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional. 

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

The closest airport to the Scenic Rim is Brisbane Airport which is just over an hour's drive away. It is also possible to reach the Scenic Rim from Gold Coast Airport but the trip takes 30 minutes longer. Hire car desks are available at both airports. 

Options for exploring the Scenic Rim include a car or booking a tour. It is not possible to explore the region using public transport. 

Anytime of year is a good time to visit the Scenic Rim. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a dip in the region's many swimming holes. Spring and Autumn are cooler but the days are generally still pleasantly warm. Winter is the perfect time of year for getting cosy in front of a fire with a glass of local wine.  

The Scenic Rim is a rural destination so pack casual clothes such as active wear for enjoying the region's national parks, casual dresses, jeans, shorts and t-shirts. Swimmers, sunglasses and a hat are a must in summer. A jacket or warm sweater is always a good idea, but essential if you're visiting in winter. Smart casual outfits are all you need if you're planning on dining out in the Scenic Rim.  

The Scenic Rim is a laid back rural destination so people tend to wear casual clothes during the day. Smart casual clothes are your best choice for dining out at the region's restaurants. 

Internet access in the Scenic Rim can be patchy. You will generally find a WiFi signal near popular tourist hubs such as the main street at Mount Tamborine. However, there is limited or no WiFi available in some parts of the Scenic Rim, particularly when you are exploring the region's national parks. 

Mobile phone coverage in the Scenic Rim can be patchy. You will generally be able to get a mobile signal near popular tourist hubs such as the main street at Mount Tamborine. However, there is limited or no mobile phone signal available in some parts of the Scenic Rim, particularly when you are exploring the region's national parks. 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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