Just over an hour from Brisbane, this is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within a 25 million year old volcanic caldera. After the summer 2019 fires, the area is reborn with new tourism offerings focused on sustainability. Thus, the internationally acclaimed Rim’s Scenic Area ranks eighth in Lonely Planet’s ten best areas for best hikes in 2022.
(TurismoItaliaNews) The scenic Rim is home to six national parks, four of which make up the Gondwana Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, travelers can explore rainforests and rugged mountain ranges and sample food from roadside stalls, farms, or local wineries. Despite the last two difficult years due to the fires of 2019, followed by the pandemic, the Scenic Rim is reborn thanks to the launch of a new sustainable hospitality that not only gives incredible interest to this region, but also a sense of hope for a brighter future. Rich in natural beauty and an exclusive welcome, here are some exclusive experiences to do in this wonderful region.
Spend the night in a cool case
The Overflow 1895 is a winery and farm built in 1899 on the quiet banks of Weyaralong Dam, which launched the first WanderPods in December. Simply designed, Wander offers luxurious, sustainable accommodation surrounded by the beauty of the countryside in a stunning landscape.
www.wander.com.au/scenic-rim-location
Luxury on Hazelwood Estate
Fresh air and a slow pace this is the proposal of Hazelwood Estate, which opened in September 2021 and is located on a farm in Wagyu outside the small town of Beechmont, on the edge of Lamington National Park, a World Heritage Site. Guests can choose from three types of accommodation on the Hazelwood Estate: exclusive luxury suites overlooking the green and polo fields, King Farm cabins, each with their own private deck, and signature Queen Farm cabins for those looking for a touch of luxury and serenity.
www.hazelwoodestate.com.au
Forest Bath El Longo Scenic Rim Trail
Don’t miss the Spicers Scenic Rim Trail, a 5-day ecotourism experience, launched in April 2020. The hike begins at the Spicers Hidden Vale sanctuary and ends at Spicers Hidden Peaks Cabins, where good food and excellent hospitality will make the experience. The Spicers Amphitheater Eco Cabins and Spicers Timber Getters Eco Cabins instead offer an overnight, treehouse-style stay with a private balcony and magical views. spicersretreats.com/scenic-rim-trail
Overnight in the rainforest
Nestled in the middle of Queensland’s famous Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat has been attracting visitors for over 93 years with its 160km nature trails, waterfalls, campgrounds, and the much-loved Tree Top Walk. It is possible to stay at Mountain Villas.
www.oreillys.com.au
Mount Barney National Park hike
There are seven different peaks in Mount Barney National Park that are more than one kilometer high. A wonderful trail takes visitors to discover all the mountains: Mount Barney, Mount Lindsay, Mount Maroon, Mount May, Mount Palo, Mount Cluny and Mount Ernst – efforts are rewarded with stunning views from the top.
www.parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-barney
Bina Bora Lodge
Naturalist Arthur Groom coined the term “scenic spot” when he and his friend Romeo Lahey founded the Pinna Bora Mountain Lodge on the edge of Lamington National Park in 1933. The lodge has been visited by hundreds of thousands of nature and bush loving families. In September 2019, it was completely destroyed by the devastating fires. In 2020, the Pena Pura Inn was reconstructed and opened. Located at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level in the midst of the subtropical rainforests of Lamington National Park, the Binna Burra is located in one of the most spectacular places in Australia. The Pina Pura Sky Lodges is unique in offering upscale and stunning views. For those looking for a more secluded experience, there’s the Rainforest Campsite, located at the top of the rainforest and complete with restrooms and barbecue stations.
www.binnaburralodge.com.au
Scenic food aisle
A food adventure. The picturesque area is known for its thriving offering of local produce, such as a scenic brewery that serves seven beers as well as Dutch/German food in a colonial-era general store, or a Tamborine Mountain Coffee farm that offers the opportunity to learn more about the coffee-making process From cereal to coffee tasting at the adjacent Coffee House, where breakfast, lunch and cocktails are also served. Travelers then explore the scenic week of local dining that takes place between June and July each year. The event is a celebration of the region’s growers and producers against the scenic backdrop of the scenic edge.
www.eatlocalweek.com.au
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