Whether you want to getaway or have a single day-cay with your love or your bestie this Valentine’s Day, wave red roses goodbye and opt for loving the country – the Scenic Rim to be precise – where love actually, is all around! In fact, why not make February a month-long celebration of country love, because there are far too many places to visit and things to see and do, for just one day! Below are 14 gorgeous ways to celebrate country love….
IMAGES here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/56au99ybyshuow3/AABVE6-_ieq1O-tZHpDsQ719a?dl=0
1. Sunrise and Sunsets – the moments that matter
There are few moments in the day as moving as sunrise and sunset, and the Scenic Rim can offer the best seats in the house, being home to six National Parks all with incredible mountain peaks. For those not up for strenuous activity, there’s a gallery of spots across the region that are perfect for sunset and sunrise picnics that don’t involve hiking as well – just drive, stop, and if you can see the horizon, you’ll be there! The best hikes are detailed here https://www.visitscenicrim.com.au/scenic-rim-walks/ and if hiking isn’t your thing, try beautiful walks in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park near O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Queensland’s first national park, Tamborine National Park. PS, these places are perfect proposal territory (just saying!).
Lavender Farm – forget red roses, go for a purple patch!
For a day that’s traditionally reserved for red roses, why not see some purple this Valentine’s Day? The Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm at Mt Alford near Boonah overlooks six acres of vineyards and fields of lavender with magnificent views of the Scenic Rim mountains. Stroll through the fragrant rows of lavender and enjoy a wine or a bite to eat at the cellar door and restaurant. For couples or as the perfect Galentine’s Day Out, see more at https://www.kooroomba.com.au/
Wine it up!
February has never been a better time to support local wineries, and the Scenic Rim is in plentiful supply – see the list here https://www.visitscenicrim.com.au/eatdrink/wineries/
Visit cellar doors or take a wine tour or stay at a winery. It’s the perfect accoutrement to romance! Drop into The Overflow Estate 1895 (1660 Beaudesert-Boonah Road Beaudesert), and try the Vermentino, Fiano, Tempranillo and Montepulciano varieties or the Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard (121 Brent Rd, Bunjergen), which produces award winning Rose styles made solely from grapes grown on the property and other outstanding varieties. You could also try the Canungra Valley Vineyards or head up to Tamborine Mountain and stop at the Witches Falls Winery, Heritage Wines or Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery. Cheers!
Alpaca Picnic!
Seriously, there’s not much better than a gorgeous hamper, wine and your own Alpacas on a picnic! Make some furry friends at Mountview Alpaca Farm, on the grounds of O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards (bonus!) Open seven days a week for all your alpaca walks, cuddles and picnics. Book at https://mountviewfarm.com.au/booknow/
If it’s flowers you want, make them edible!
OK so we get that flowers are a big part of romance, but this year, give flowers that are a little different, like edible different! There’s a flower farm in the Scenic Rim called Pretty Produce that is perfect for a romantic visit – they grow edible flowers and host farm gate experiences, flower masterclasses, meadow walks and more. Check it out petals at https://www.prettyproduce.com.au/
Camel kisses at Sunset!
Fancy sunset drinks at Summer Land Camels? Well, it’s spectacular, it’s romantic and you can book now! Plus, they are open seven days a week for camel kisses and cuddles, feeding, camel rides and farm tours, and there’s the award-winning cheese and gelato made from camel milk, plus skin and hair products, at the on-site cafe and store. Find out more or book here https://summerlandcamels.com.au/pages/farm-tours-camel-rides.
Romantic Adrenaline at the Treetop Challenge
After some Romantic Adrenaline, yes, you are going to love this! Take the thrill seeker in your life to the TreeTop Challenge at Tamborine Mountain, it’s Australia’s largest tree top adventure park with more than 120 activities to get the adrenaline pumping, including hanging out in the trees, balancing on suspended bridges and jumping on huge flying foxes. Courses range from easy to extreme and traverse through nine acres of amazing bushland and rainforest. Love on the run?? Find out more at www.treetopchallenge.com.au
Rainforest Skywalk
If you’re not into ziplining though the treetops, head to the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk instead. It’s a one-and-a-half kilometre rainforest walking experience that includes the Skywalk Bridge, the 40 metre Skywalk Cantilever and the Cedar Creek Viewing Platform, joined by a winding pathway along the canopy floor. Just 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise and 60 minutes from Brisbane. Find out more at www.rainforestskywalk.com.au
Horse and cart, and wine tasting!
Experience the sights and tastes of the Scenic Rim in the Shire Horse drawn carriage! Take the full day tour visiting three venues including Bunjurgen Estate, Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm – and of course the Scenic Rim Brewery, enjoying outstanding wines, beers and a la carte lunch. Giddyup! Bookings are essential so call Drayhorse Shires and Carriages on 0476 199 826 or 0447 804 344 or email info@drayhorseshires.com
Scenic Rim Brewery – boutique beers and pretzels!
Speaking of the Scenic Rim Brewery, this boutique craft brewery packs a big flavour punch and is great for lunch on a day trip – note you’ll have to wait ‘til Feb 25 when the reopen, but it’s worth it, and prior to that, order online! In the picturesque town of Mount Alford, just past Boonah, owners Mike and Wendy brew a superb range of beers, all of which have names to make you smile – the Shazza, Digga’s, Fat Man, Giddy Gout and the PharQue. The Ginger Extra Dry alone is worth the drive. The menu is a nod to Wendy’s Dutch heritage: mouth-watering bitterballen (Dutch meatballs), giant pretzels (that are guaranteed to make you thirsty) and a range of European gourmet hotdogs. Find out more at https://www.scenicrimbrewery.com.au/
Spa Day in the Scenic Rim
What’s more romantic than a trip to the spa with your loved one? Blissage Day Spa on Mount Tamborine offers spa packages, massage, beauty treatments so take the day, drive out, grab some bites, fill an esky and enjoy!
View the list of treatments and make your booking at www.blissagedayspa.com.au/
Or check out Eve by Nature Day Spa at Canungra, a gorgeous holistic centre with a salt water swimming pool, spa and vibrasaun sauna and they do glasses of bubbly/ herbal tea/wholesome lunch etc!
More Picnics!
Book for Tommerup Dairy Farm’s Picnic on the Farm from 9.30am to 2pm on Valentine’s Day! This is all about loving local – local produce, local artists, local music makers, all on the glorious farm in the Kerry Valley. More detail at https://www.tommerupsfarmstay.com.au/
Or create your own! Drop into places like The Big Pumpkin at Beaudesert (92 Brisbane St, Beaudesert), to fill your esky or hamper or at Oppy’s Fruit and Veg (Railway St, Boonah), or at Kalbar, it’s Lovett for the most amazing locally made pies! Don’t forget to stock up from your favourite winery cellar door or craft brewery for some refreshments before choosing your location. Try Lake Moogerah, Lake Wyaralong or the Hang Gliders Lookout on Tamborine Mountain.
Visit a Distillery – sip and chill
At home on Mt Tamborine is an ornately decorated building set in lush, verdant grounds – the Tamborine Mountain Distillery offers an idyllic glimpse into the world of distilling with a quirky, colorful atmosphere. You can sample some of the distillery’s products on one of the guided tours of the factory. Perfect for a Valentine’s Day out! Find out more at http://www.tamborinemountaindistillery.com/.
Ice Cream at Aratula or Lovett at Kalbar
A day trip into the Scenic Rim towards Kalbar and Aratula is a day well spent. Everyone loves ice cream so why not stop in at the Aratula Cafe and Ice Creamery for a fun Valentine’s Day outing. The popular cafe, located at Shop 2, 6746 Cunningham Highway, Aratula has an extensive selection of ice cream and a fresh juice bar and also serves hot meals, all-day breakfast, light snacks, wraps and freshly made sandwiches. Lovett at Kalbar is a café that creates incredible pies, bakery, sandwiches and salads, all from produce farmed locally!
