An exciting part of working at InterNATIONAL PARKtours, is when we plan our annual tours. In particular, when we research parts of the world that not only have National Parks, but are unique, desirable, and with a variety of landscapes and distinctive places of interest.
In recent years we have included journeys in our very own back yard – The Scenic Rim. And there’s good reason for that. Any region with the word ’scenic’ in the title has to tell you something!
A little known fact is that the Scenic Rim was named by Arthur Groom when he wrote a 30-page document titled ‘The Development of Brisbane’s Scenic Rim’. Arthur was an explorer, an adventurer and a novelist, and he is also the grandfather of IPT’s owner Lisa Groom.
So where is the Scenic Rim? It is located just one hour from the Gold Coast and one hour south-west from Brisbane. It stretches from Beechmont in the East to Moogerah in the west, and Peak Crossing in the north all the way down to Mounty Lindsay. The larger areas in the region include Mount Tamborine, Canungra, Beaudesert, Boonah and Rathdowney, however it’s the many smaller quaint villages and the six stunning National Parks that make this region a visual delight.
The diverse mix of endearing locals in the region range from farmers, cooks, and artisans. Local producers are a focus, and here you’ll find people who are harvesting and growing everything from pecans and beetroot, to sheep cheese, camel milk, free-range eggs and olive oil.
A gastronomic journey can take you through local wineries, breweries, cafes, farm shops and country pubs. Also on offer in abundance are art galleries, gift shops and quaint country stores.
There are hundreds of kilometres of walking tracks within the SIX National Parks in the Scenic Rim, making this a bush-walkers paradise. From the ancient Gondwana Rainforests in Lamington, to the easy walks in Tamborine, or the inland rocky mountains of Mount Barney, Main Range and Moogerah Peaks parks, to last-but-not-least the quieter Glen Rock State Forest. In December 1994 the UNESCO World Heritage Committee officially extended the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves Australian World Heritage Area over the Scenic Rim, including the Main Range, Lamington and most of Mount Barney National Park.
You can head to one particular destination in the Scenic Rim as a day visitor from Brisbane (or surrounding S/E Qld areas), however to fully experience what the region has to offer, you can join a tour. InterNATIONAL PARKtours is one of the very few companies offering guided walking holidays to breathtaking destinations in Australia and around the world, including the Scenic Rim.
If you would like to treat yourself with a short break in the Scenic Rim and learn its secrets from the locals, we have an idyllic 5 day adventure departing 24 March 2019. Lisa Groom will be more than comfortable in leading you on this tour in her very own piece of paradise. Contact us to find out more or you can download the full detailed itinerary here.