One of the top 10 regions of the world to visit in 2022!
From famous flavour-filled food festivals to adrenaline-driven events that raise the heart rate in spectacular surroundings, the Scenic Rim is home to one of the best events in Australia. With the region named by global travel authority Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 hottest destinations to visit in 2022, experiencing an event in the Scenic Rim is an absolute must-do this year! Here are the top events to diarise…
The Long Sunset Festival – 12 February
Australia’s newest boutique regional music event and set in the lush surrounds of Elysian Fields, Canungra – home of the Wangerriburra people – The Long Sunset brings a sweet program of Australia’s top acts and a basket-full of local gourmet food and art fare. Heading up the main stage is Australian indie-folk royalty Angus and Julia Stone, appearing together in Queensland for the first time in almost three years and supported by Brisbane joy-machines Ball Park Music, psychedelic throw-back kids Babe Rainbow, and Hatchie, freshly back to her native stomping ground from New York City. Staged in partnership with Queensland Music Trails. Tickets are selling fast, find out more here.
EmpowHER Hiking Program – February to June
This unique program empowers women and girls to explore the spectacular natural surrounds of the Scenic Rim whilst building confidence, fitness and participation in hiking. There are 60 guided hikes on offer for all fitness levels, from short walks to full-day adventures and, better yet, are just $15 per booking!
Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails – 6 March & 2 May
This is your official invitation to fill your empty esky in the Scenic Rim and support local farmers, growers, producers and artisans. Learn where your food comes from, meet the farmers and shop local. Stay tuned for details on who’s participating, and a map and itineraries to help plan your road trip!
Kalbar Sunflower Festival – 25, 26, 27 March
The annual Sunflower Festival in Kalbar features sunrise yoga in the sunflowers, wanders through the sunflower fields, children’s sunflower art classes, sunflower cooking classes and in the evening, a spectacular Sunset Dinner in the sunflowers. This extraordinary celebration of happiness was actually born of the drought – farmers Russell and Jenny Jenner pivoted from lucerne to sunflowers in 2021 because of water scarcity, then, with 200,000 glorious sunflowers blooming, they decided to share the joy. The program releases in mid-February, so stay tuned as tickets will sell fast! More at kalbarsunflowers.com.au
Escape in the Scenic Rim – 29 April to 29 May
Escape in the Scenic Rim is a brand new nature, eco and adventure festival, running from 29 April to 29 May. Staged in some of the most precious and spectacular areas of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia across the Scenic Rim region, Escape includes walks, talks and wild adventures from the tip of Tamborine Mountain to the areas around Aratula. Come and feed the mind, activate the body and lift the heart. Find out more here.
Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular – 11 & 12 June
The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is the richest Clydesdale Show in the Southern Hemisphere, where the grand champions of the breed are judged, the Scottish heritage of the breed is shared, and the history of the breed in Australia – and in the Scenic Rim – is celebrated. Over two action-packed days, a full program of Clydesdale competition takes place at the Boonah Showground, while fans can soak up some Scottish heritage, witness harness making, whip plaiting and more, watch the Queensland Whip Cracking Champions, and check out working dog displays, bush poetry, wood chopping and more. Find out more clydesdalespectacular.com.au
Evergreen Festival – 8 to 10 July
In mid-winter on Tamborine Mountain, the Evergreen Festival celebrates local flavours, fine craftsmanship and fresh produce with the Annual Winter Market a picture-perfect experience, with the tree-lined precinct beautifully lit and curated festooned market stalls featuring everything from edible treats to handmade ornaments and mulled wine. Find out more here.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week – 25 June to 3 July
Famed around the country as one of the most authentic celebrations of local produce, the 11th Scenic Rim Eat Local Week takes place from 25 June to 3 July, with an incredible line-up of long lunches, flavour-filled dinners, farm gates, culinary celebrations, masterclasses, workshops and more, including the Winter Harvest Festival on 2 July. There’s also a full line-up of delicious entrée events in June to tantalise the tastebuds. Find out more about Eat Local Week here and keep an eye out for the full program in the coming months. This is THE FOODIE event of the year!
The Lost World Trail Festival – 29 May
There’s a small pocket of the Scenic Rim at the foothills of the World Heritage Listed Lamington National Park that’s fast becoming a trail running mecca, and on May 29, it will come alive for the Inaugural Lost World Trail Festival! The views from these trails will stop the most experienced runner in their tracks. There are options for everyone from the seasoned trail runner to the beginner. Find out more here.
VISIT THE SCENIC RIM! Find out all you need at visitscenicrim.com.au
Edited by: Stephen Morton
