Mount French and Frog Buttress
Mount French and Frog Buttress

Scenic Rim Qld – Camping, Day Drives and Good Produce

 

The Scenic Rim from Mount Alford
The Scenic Rim from Mount Alford

 

Finding the Scenic Rim Qld

Living where I live in South East Queensland, I’m only an hour or so from the region know as the Scenic Rim.

The Scenic Rim is bounded in the east, south and west by the mountains and hills that make up Tamborine, Beechmont, Binna Burra, Lamington National Park, the north-western rim of the Mount Warning caldera, the Border Ranges, Mount Barney, Mount Lindesay, Mount Superbus and Cunninghams Gap.

To the north, the Scenic Rim spills out towards the Ipswich and Logan regions through numerous rivers and creeks – namely: the Logan River, Albert River, Bremer River, Coomera River, Canungra Creek and Teviott Brook.

With water aplenty, the Scenic Rim is also home to Moogerah Dam, Lake Maroon and Wyaralong Dam.

Steeped in history, the Scenic Rim is home to many localities and towns full of friendly locals, pubs, farms (and their farm gates), grazing, wineries, olive groves, a camel farm and great vantage points from which to enjoy the vista of the ‘rim’ outlined above – did I say pubs?

MAP: Scenic Rim Qld

The Region known as the Scenic Rim.
The Region known as the Scenic Rim.

Setting Up Camp (Scenic Rim Qld)

Due to the geographics of the region, one issue for us travellers is that the rim itself creates fingers (the creeks rivers and valleys) that radiate from the north of the Scenic Rim into the hills, mountains and ridges.

As such, many roads and tracks go up the valleys, and even through the gaps, but a relatively few cross over the spurs into adjoining valleys.

For us campers and travellers, there’s perhaps a need to make base camp and take on some day trips to conquer the small towns with their coffee shops and farm gates (and pubs) in bite-size amounts (pun intended).

While there’s several Hipcamps and pub camping options in the area, I’ll start with the three main showgrounds to get you orientated.

Anaconda outdoor and camping
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This is where Boonah Showgrounds come in

Boonah is well located for you to explore the western areas of the Scenic Rim. From here you can explore from Peak Crossing in the north; to Cunninghams Gap in the west; south to Mount Lindesay and east to Kerry and Rathdowney (perhaps the pub for lunch).

Boonah Showgrounds is managed by Graeme and Tracey and they will make you feel most welcome in a variety of caravan, camping, motorhome and tenting options with hot showers and a well established camp kitchen. Better still Boonah is home to four pubs and eight coffee shops nearby in the main street. Why not join the Facebook Group “Showgrounds Sports and Recreation Grounds Camping” to learn more or simply give Graeme and Tracey a call on 0434879314.

Boonah Showgrounds Caters for All Rigs
Boonah Showgrounds – All Types of Camping – Caravans, Campers, Mobile Homes, Buses and Tents

Canunga Showgrounds is the campground that serves as a base to explore O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Lamington National Park, as well as Tambourine Mountain – renown for its wineries, cheeses and other stuff like fudges, a fine distillery, a brewery and ice creams.

On top of this, Canugra is a great town with a country feel – plus you can drop down into Nerang and the glitter and surfing beaches of the Gold Coast from here – just 40 minutes to Surfers Paradise. Check out my article on Canungra at https://campandtravel.com.au/canungra-se-queensland-camping-near-pubs/.

Canungra Showgrounds - My Preference is to Camp on Canungra Creek
Canungra Showgrounds – My Preference is to Camp on Canungra Creek

Another camping option is at Kalbar – right next to the Royal Hotel. You can use Kalbar as a great launch pad to Harrisville (say ‘Hi’ to Grant and the team at Viney’s Place for coffee and gifts), Roadvale, Mount Alford (be sure to book a table at Scenic Rim Brewery) and even Boonah.

Again, hot and cold showers, clean toilets with a wide range of camping options are catered for.

If you do stay here be sure to say ‘Hi’ to Troy and Kelli at the pub – they even do High Teas with some warning. I mention the Royal Hotel, Kalbar in my article on Public Houses – https://campandtravel.com.au/australian-pubs-welcome-travellers-camp-and-travel/.

There’s many other camping and accommodation options in the region – but, I’ll let you have the fun of exploring and finding these for yourself. Here’s a tip though – Darlington Park Campground on Kerry Road, Kerry (south of Beaudesert) – https://campandtravel.com.au/darlington-park-scenic-rim-qld/.

Things to See and Do in the Scenic Rim Qld

Well, the list of things to see and do in the Scenic Rim Qld could be as long or short as your interests and time available. For now though, here’s a few suggestions to whet your appetite.

  • Boonah Visitor Information Centre, 20 Boonah-Fassifern Road, Boonah – near the roundabout on the north side of town. There’s toilets and picnic tables too.
  • Olive View Estate (https://www.facebook.com/oliveviewcottage), 58 Kulgun Road – farm gate and olive grove camping – here’s a tip too: you get a great panoramic view of the rim from here. See Peter and the team.
  • Panorama Motorcycle Museum (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055086835510), 3 Panorama Drive, Roadvale.
  • Summer Land Camels (https://summerlandcamels.com.au/), 8 Charles Chauvel Drive, Harrisville.
  • Take a drive up to Mount French (south of Kalbar) in the Moogerah Peaks National Park and take a short walk to look over from Frog Buttress.
  • Visit the region during one of their many festivals, farm gate weekends or even the Kalbar Hay Trail (held in October).
Mount French and Frog Buttress
Mount French and Frog Buttress

Enjoy Scenic Rim Qld

Whatever your pace, style or likes I think you’ll be amazed at how close the country feel, hospitality and atmosphere is to Brisbane and the bright lights of the Gold Coast when you’re surrounded by the comforting ‘embrace’ of the Scenic Rim.

If you do go, slow down and enjoy yourselves – and please look out for me and say G’day.

Kalbar Hay Bale Trail 2022
Kalbar Hay Bale Trail 2022
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