High in the hinterlands, the eastern Scenic Rim spans rainforest-shrouded mountains to verdant food-growing fields. Lofty towns like Canungra, Tamborine Mountain, and Beechmont will host a smorgasbord of epicurean events during Eat Local Month’s eastern region weekend (June 01-02).
Keen to sink your teeth into this fabulous foodie festival? From gourmet gastronomy to delicious tipples, here’s the lowdown on Scenic Rim Eat Local Month in the luscious eastern region.
Wild Rainforests and Waterfalls
The eastern region puts the “Scenic” in the Scenic Rim. Smothered by ancient Gondwana rainforest, this leafy green wonderland is a nature lover’s dream. Scenic drives wind through forested valleys and peaks, offering sweeping vistas at every turn.
Active types could explore on foot, with tranquil trails crisscrossing the rainforest—what better way to work up an appetite? Many paths lead to picture-perfect cascades, such as the local hotspot of Curtis Falls. For a sneak peak sans the sweaty trek, head for the 30-metre-high Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk instead.
Distilleries & Vineyards
Spectacular scenery and proximity to two big cities have made the eastern Scenic Rim a blossoming destination for artisanal drinks.
Tamborine Mountain Distillery is a long-standing favourite for its award-winning liqueur and schnapps (300 and counting!). The owners will host special Eat Local Month spirit blending classes (Sat 1 June – Sun 2 June @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm) in their Elizabethan Tudor-style house. Tamborine Mountain Distillery also has other events across the month including Liqueur Making Classes and Cocktail Masterclasses.
Just up the road, Cauldron Distillery makes the tastiest gin this side of England. If you’re looking for something hands-on and creative later in the month, don’t miss the chance to join their Eat Local Month Twilight Cocktail Masterclass (Fri 21 Jun @ 5:00 pm).
No Scenic Rim trip would be complete without a Tamborine Mountain vineyard. The crème de la crème is Witches Falls Winery, which boasts an enviable James Halliday Five Red Star rating. The award-winning vineyard will host Tacos and Tipples (Sun 2 June @ 11:00 am – 3:30 pm), where tangy Mexican treats come alongside home-grown sips and energetic live tunes. With Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Josue Lopez behind the skillet, you can bet those tacos will be divine.
The big shindig for wine lovers is Behind the Barrels ( Sun 2 June @ 11:00 am – 11:25 am). At this informative Witches Falls event, oenophiles can learn about the entire wine-making process, from grape growing to corking. Insightful stories from expert winemakers make this a must for the true enthusiast.
Get the opportunity to experience the new Loborn Tasting Bar (Sat 1 June @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 3:00pm & 4:00pm – 5:00pm) before anyone else with exclusive Eat Local Month access.
Lazy Long Lunches
There’s nowhere better for a long, lazy lunch than the Scenic Rim.
The sensational crew at the Canungra Valley vineyards will host the Longest Lunch at O’Reilly’s (Sun 2 June @ 11:30 am – 2:30 pm) alongside Canungra Creek. This is the perfect opportunity to get a selfie with the Alpacas next door too at Mountview Alpaca Farm.
If you fancy something more informal, grab a picnic from the North Stores, a slick, architecturally designed collective of studios. The North Stores Growers and Makers Day (Sun 2 June @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm) lets you wax lyrical with local farmers and learn the secrets behind their trade. Lay a picnic rug on the adjacent lawns or head to a spectacular Scenic Rim lookout.
Luxurious Lodgings
The eastern Scenic Rim brims with beautiful places to stay, from eco retreats to Airbnbs and rustic farm stays.
Our pick of the bunch is Beechmont Estate, a jaw-dropping spot near Binna Burra. Admire sweeping hinterland vistas from the infinity pool or pamper yourself silly at the wellness spa. Once you’ve found your appetite, its chef-hatted restaurant will send your tastebuds to heaven. Whichever direction you gaze, you’ll be greeted with spectacular Scenic Rim landscapes of dramatic mountains and undulating fields.
The kicker? Beechmont Estate is hosting two epicurean get-togethers during the eastern Scenic Rim weekend.
The Paddock Sunset Banquet (Sat 1 June @ 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm), as the name implies, sees you devour a three-course shared-plate feast as the sun sinks over the pastures. Guests gather around to sip wine and gaze at expert chefs as they grill meaty delicacies on a purpose-built grill named Thor. Highlights include Tommerup’s Dairy Farm milk-fed pork, Running Creek steak tartare, and house-cured and smoked Rocky Point cobia. Yum.
Alternatively, High Tea in the Fields (Sun 2 June @ 11:30 am – 4:30 pm) is all about curated sweets and savoury snacks. Picture yourself sitting in a lush pasture eating Scenic Rim Mushroom quiche with a glass of bubbly in hand. Live music and lawn bowls complement this magic afternoon.
We stayed at Beechmont Estate in the lead-up to Eat Local Month and reckon it’s the best luxury country-style lodging in the Scenic Rim.
Bite into Eat Local Month in the Eastern Scenic Rim this June
A hop and a skip from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the eastern Scenic Rim boasts top-tier gastronomy and breathtaking mountain terrain. The opening weekend (June 01-02) of this year’s Eat Local Month is the best time to savour the flavours of this enchanting, rainforest-covered land.
Check out what’s happening via the official program or see a regional breakdown of the most popular events.
