Eager to tuck into farm-fresh deliciousness at Eat Local Month?
Then check out the Scenic Rim’s Western Region. Chock full of top-notch producers, this fertile expanse is a foodie’s wonderland. The best time to visit is June 06-09, when a flurry of fun-filled events comprise the festival’s special Western Region weekend.
Here’s how to spend a decadent couple of days gorging on Western Rim gastronomy during Queensland’s premiere foodie festival.
The Scenic Rim Western Region at Eat Local Month
A patchwork of pastoral paddocks punctuated by charming country towns, the Western Scenic Rim produces Queensland’s best produce.
Farmers grow a buffet of top-quality ingredients in these alluvial soils, from beetroot to beans and capsicum to carrots. The latter is particularly prevalent. As Australia’s carrot-growing capital, local farmers harvest over 600 million per year. Then you’ve got the Granite Belt, a vast grape-growing expanse famed for its cool-climate Shiraz.
The Western Scenic Rim, as defined by Eat Local Month, covers the towns of Boonah, Kalbar, Harrisville, Roadvale, and Mount Alford. From Thursday, June 06 to Sunday, June 09, it will host a plethora of gastronomic events for the festival’s Western Region weekend. It’s still worth visiting during other festival weekends; just don’t expect as much action.
Getting there from Brisbane takes an hour, and it’s about an hour and a half from the Gold Coast. Either way, the West is well within weekend road-tripping distance of both cities.
Friday, June 07
Take Friday off work and kick-start your weekend with an Overflow Estate 1895 Long Lunch. This renowned winery has earned a stellar reputation for serving top-notch farm-to-table nosh. How does slow-cooked beef cheek in red wine sauce sound? Or how about crème brûlée with Madagascar vanilla bean for dessert?
Of course, you’ll need wine to wash down your meal. As one of the best Scenic Rim vineyards, Overflow specialises in climate change-ready varieties like Tempranillo, Vermentino, and Montepulciano. And thanks to its enviable location by Wyaralong Dam, you certainly won’t complain about the view.
With a gutful of gourmet goodness, check into your accommodation to relax and digest. We’re massive fans of Mount French Lodge, a charming country retreat hidden in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Sweeping mountain views encircle the sleek contemporary estate, best admired from its ultra-lux infinity pool. Travelling with a crew? Exclusive group bookings let you snag the whole property for yourself.
If you have the luxury of adding Thursday (June 06) to your itinerary, Blume Restaurant will hold its coveted Guest Chef Series luncheon. The event combines the culinary expertise of Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Jack Stuart and Jimmy Richardson from Brisbane’s Gerard Bistro. Subsequent Guest Chef Series events will take place on June 13 and June 20.
Saturday, June 08
For road trippers with little ones in tow, Edible Flower Picking and Cupcake Decorating is a must. The kids will adore handpicking technicoloured petals and adorning delicious oven-baked treats.
The icing on the cake? You can devour the end product on-site or take it home as an edible souvenir. The event occurs at Elderflower Farm, a fab farm shop selling all sorts of cute artisanal bric-Ã -brac.
Now you’ve cake-decorated up an appetite, it’s time for a feed. Kalbar-BQ Gourmet Country Long Lunch entails a flame-grilled two-course barbeque menu with a welcome drink and canapés. Live tunes, line dancing, and social lubricants (AKA drinks) keep this shindig humming into the late afternoon.
For a cheeky sunset tipple, hit up Scenic Rim Brewery. Top-tier beers and stunning mountain views make this charming country-style joint a great spot to imbibe.
Sunday, June 09
Fancy meeting a few gentle giants? Check out Farm Tour and Taste at Summer Land, Australia’s largest camel farm. This intriguing, behind-the-scenes exposé provides insight into our little-known camel dairy industry. Top off the tour with a camel-kissing selfie (if you dare) and a taste of the farm’s award-winning dairy products.
Start cruising back to the city or indulge in another decadent Eat Local Month experience.
Biting into 2024’s Eat Local Month
Blessed with abundant agricultural lands and fertile alluvial soil, the Western Scenic Rim is among Queensland’s top food-growing regions. So get out there and make the most of this epicurean wonderland this June for Eat Local Month.
Need a hand planning your foodie escapades? Take a squizz at the official program or browse a region-by-region festival breakdown.
