10 Reasons You Need To Visit The Scenic Rim This Year
the scenic route
By Matilda Daniel | 17th April 2026Only an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim feels like a world away. With a sweeping escape of calm, cinematic landscapes, and wide-open skies, this oasis is renowned for its quality produce and warm country hospitality. Often being brought to life by passionate local producers who celebrate community through festivals, immersive trail walks, and vibrant seasonal events.
From sunflower fields and open farm gates to food feasts and quirky country traditions, if you and your friends are looking to exercise your free will and escape the hustle of city life, look no further, because we have just the place for you.
Here are 10 exciting events coming up in and around the Scenic Rim, well worth booking in a road trip for.
Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails
A main character event that should be on all foodies’ calendars this July is the much-loved Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails. Returning with a celebration of paddock-to-plate living, farmers, growers, winemakers, brewers, and distillers across the region will once again open their gates for one deliciously immersive day.
Have you been wanting the chance to slow down and sip delicious wine whilst overlooking some of the best scenes in the region? This is your chance to taste your way through the Scenic Rim while gaining a behind-the-scenes look at how food is grown, raised, and crafted straight from the source. ON the day, the trail will run from 9 AM to 3 PM, so expect to leave with a full stomach and an even fuller basket of goodness.
WHAT: Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trails WHEN: 26th July, 9 AM – 3 PM WHERE: 541 Kents Lagoon Road, Kalbar
Kalbar Sunflower Festival
For a few spectacular days each year, a farm on the outskirts of Kalbar transforms into a breathtaking sea of gold, with more than one million sunflowers bursting into bloom. The Kalbar Sunflower Festival is your invitation to get back to nature, wandering through towering fields, and fully embracing the kind of joy only a country escape can bring. Beyond the bloom, expect a lively lineup of food vendors, market stalls, live music, and family-friendly entertainment, creating a day that’s equal parts wholesome and unforgettable. And yes, the perfect golden-hour photo op.
WHAT: Kalbar Sunflower Festival WHEN: 3rd MAY WHERE: 56 Warumkarie Road, Kalbar, Scenic Rim Area
Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail
Tamborine Mountain has long held its place as one of Queensland’s most quietly creative enclaves, and the Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail is your invitation to step right inside it. Across three immersive days, the mountain transforms into a live gallery, with painters, sculptors, potters, photographers and multi-disciplinary artists opening the doors to their private studios and creative spaces.
More than just an art viewing experience, but an intimate look at process and practice, where ideas begin, evolve, and take form. Alongside studio visits, you can expect gallery openings, artist talks, hands-on workshops, and live performances, all weaving together a rich cultural program that feels personal. It’s an unfiltered glimpse into the creative pulse of the mountain, and a rare chance to experience art exactly where it’s made.
WHAT: Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail WHEN: 2 – 4 May WHERE: 38 Main St, Tamborine Mountain
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
This June, the Scenic Rim comes alive with a region-wide celebration of its rich food culture, spotlighting the farmers, chefs, growers and producers behind one of Australia’s most exciting culinary destinations. Think long lunches set against breathtaking backdrops, hands-on cooking classes with local chefs, farm tours, tastings, and workshops that bring you closer than ever to the source.
From lavender fields to mountaintop dining, every experience is designed to celebrate seasonal produce and the people who grow it. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet the locals who are shaping the region’s incredible food story. Throughout the month, there will be multiple different foodie events that will make you want to keep coming back, so don’t miss out and start booking now.
WHAT: Scenic Rim Eat Local Month WHEN: 27th JUNE WHERE: George Street, Kalbar TICKETS: Book Here
Winter Harvest Festival
This signature event of Eat Local Month isn’t just another excuse to get the friend group together for another delicious meal, but a huge celebration of Scenic Rim flavour and farming. Think live music, vibrant food tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more than 60 stalls to enjoy. And, you’ll be pleased to know that previous favourites are making a comeback, including the infamous Tractor Pull competition (because, why not?). Compete with friends, have a laugh, and enjoy authentic, Aussie-made food, straight from the heart.
WHAT: Winter Harvest Festival WHEN: 27 June WHERE: George Street, Kalbar
Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular
Set against the country charm of Beaudesert, this isn’t your average rural show; it’s a four-day celebration of heritage with a seriously stylish edge. The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular brings together breeders and enthusiasts from across Australia to showcase these iconic horses in all their power and grace, from elegant show ring moments to impressive carriage displays.
Beyond the main arena, the energy shifts into full festival mode. Think Scottish-inspired flair with pipe bands and caber tossing, balanced with crowd-favourite whip-cracking competitions and immersive heritage experiences. Traditional trades like blacksmithing and lumberjack demonstrations will meet craft beer, great local eats, and a laid-back, social atmosphere that feels more weekend escape than country fair. Whether you’re there for the horses or the vibes, consider this your excuse to trade the city for something a little more unexpected.
WHAT: Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular WHEN: 11 – 14 June WHERE: Beaudesert Showgrounds, Albert Street
Scenic Rim Farming Expo
Set in the heart of Harrisville, the Scenic Rim Farming Expo is where country living meets forward-thinking innovation, and yes, it’s far more interesting than it sounds. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, a weekend gardener, or just a little curious about life beyond the city, this two-day event offers a fresh perspective on the future of agriculture. Expect hands-on demonstrations, the chance to meet local producers, and conversations with industry experts shaping the way we grow, farm, and live more sustainably. It’s equal parts educational and engaging, with plenty of opportunities to explore careers in agriculture or simply deepen your appreciation for the region’s rural backbone. Consider it a special behind-the-scenes look at the Scenic Rim’s ever-evolving farming story.
WHAT: Scenic Rim Farming Expo WHEN: 12 – 13 June WHERE: 50 Parcells Road, Harrisville
Springtime on the Mountain
Been looking for a new hike that’ll convince your friends to lace up those joggers? Say no more. The Tamborine Mountain Garden Club is once again hosting the beloved open garden trail! Showcasing some of the mountain’s most beautiful private gardens, this is where owners open their gates and invite visitors to wander through their vibrant landscapes bursting with colour, scent, and springtime. Over the three days, this is the perfect opportunity to charge those digi-cams and explore Tamborine Mountain’s cafes, galleries, and boutiques along the journey, romanticising spring, one garden at a time. Don’t miss out, tickets will go on sale from 6 May at $25 for all gardens, or $5 per garden.
WHAT: Springtime on the Mountain WHEN: 23 – 25 October WHERE: 2 – 4 Knoll Road, Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival
Known for its lush rainforests, boutique wineries, and storybook streets, Tamborine Mountain takes a playful turn every October, and honestly, it’s unlike anything else on your calendar. During the Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival, the region transforms into a whimsical open-air gallery, with hundreds of handcrafted scarecrows popping up along roadsides, gardens, and paddocks. You can expect everything from mermaids and ballroom dancers to motorbike gangs and delightfully oversized spiders, each one brought to life by locals with serious creativity and a great sense of humour. It’s quirky, community-driven, and surprisingly charming – the kind of day out that will make you want to keep coming back for a new surprise. Add it to your spring agenda, or pencil it in during your Flower Farm vacay, to add a little something unexpected to the experience.
WHAT: Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival WHEN: 23 – 25 October WHERE: 386– 398 Main Western Rd, Mount Tamborine
Kalbar Hay Bale Trail and Country Day
Few events capture country charm and creativity quite like the Kalbar Hay Bail Trail and Country Day. In the lead-up to this festival, Kalbar transforms into an open-air gallery, as locals turn humble hay bales into wildly imaginative sculptures scattered throughout the town and surrounding countryside. You will witness plenty of personality, from pun-filled favourites like ‘Mick-hay’ and ‘Min-hay’ Mouse to ‘Kentuck-Hay’ Fried Chicken and the iconic Kalbar ‘J-hay-l’, each one more playful than the last. It’s quirky, it’s clever, and it’s made for a slow wander. The celebrations peak with Country Day, when the main street comes alive with over 140 market stalls, local produce, handmade goods, and live entertainment. Picture good food, warm hospitality, and that unmistakable small-town buzz all wrapped up in one feel-good day out.
WHAT: Kalbar Hay Bale Trail & Country Day WHEN: 17 October WHERE: George Street, Kalbar
Have we tempted you to a Scenic Rim trip yet? If you’re keen on more road trips near Brisbane, check out some other must-visit destinations here.
Imagery: @northviewhighlands/ @destinationscenicrim / @scenicrimtrail
