Anyone who has ever experienced its many wonders could have told you this – but now it’s official: the Scenic Rim is now one of the world’s top environmentally conscious tourist destinations.
Stretching from Canungra to the Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar, the Scenic Rim boasts historic national parks, adventure parks, craft breweries, boutique wineries, ecolodges, world class camping and glamping and – most importantly – a stunning array of dramatic landscapes, ancient mountains and World Heritage Gondwana rainforests.
Now there’s even more reason to plan a visit: the region – which is just an hour from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast – has just achieved ECO Destination certification with Ecotourism Australia, a result of meeting global best-practice standards in ecotourism, responsible travel and environmental conservation.
As the first destination to achieve certification in 2025, the Scenic Rim becomes only the 12th in Australia to earn this prestigious recognition. To achieve the ECO Destination certification level, the region was rigorously assessed on more than 90 sustainable management criteria and now joins a global network of more than 160 destinations in 60 countries through Ecotourism Australia’s partnership with Green Destinations.
Here’s how to travel the incredible Scenic Rim sustainably
Sustainable travel is more than simply choosing a destination and the activities you do while you’re there – it’s also about how you travel and what you pack, and taking the time to slow down to fully appreciate and learn about the place you’re visiting. So, if you are keen to wander wisely, tread lightly and make a positive impact, here’s how to enjoy a more sustainable journey within the Scenic Rim:
Engage in ecotourism-certified activities
To nature enthusiasts and adventurists, the Scenic Rim is nirvana. You can explore the ancient rainforests and natural landscapes of the region with Southern Cross Tours for a day, with tour guides sharing the history, culture and stories of the places and unique natural environments throughout. Take a tour with Leisure Solutions or learn about the region’s fantastic native wildlife including koalas, birds and platypus with wildlife experts Araucaria Ecotours or experience the magic of glow worms at Tamborine Mountain’s Glow Worm Caves.
Families can get their share of outdoor excitement with minimal environmental impact at Thunderbird Park, which has embedded sustainable practices throughout their operations. Home to the Tree Top Challenge, an awesome high ropes course and Australia’s largest zipline, there’s hours of entertainment on Tamborine Mountain.
If hiking through the wilderness is your style, lace up your boots with local legends ParkTours and Horizon Guides and join a guided bush walk through ancient Gondwana rainforests. Or challenge yourself to scale cliffs in Mount Barney National Park with the help of the ecotourism-certified rock climbing guides at Mt Barney Lodge, where you can also join Kruze Summers, a local Ugarapul man, on the Yarriba Dreaming First Nations immersion experience.
For those who want a little luxury, Spicers Scenic Rim Trail offer multi-night adventures through lush rainforests and along the Great Dividing Range, ending each day with gourmet meals and a peaceful night in a private eco-cabin.
Travelling sustainably also means supporting local businesses, and the Scenic Rim is brimming with fantastic spots to tame a rumbling tummy and relieve a thirst by eating and drinking hyper-local: from charming roadside farm stores to a stop in at ecotourism-certified Tamborine Mountain Distillery to taste their internationally-awarded liqueurs and spirits.
Stay in eco-friendly accommodation
Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to sustainable stays in the Scenic Rim. With over a dozen tourism businesses holding Ecotourism Australia certification in the region, there’s no shortage of places to sleep soundly knowing your stay supports the environment.
At Binna Burra Lodge, stay in the gorgeous sky lodge apartment, a cozy tiny wild house, or even a glamping tent, all cradled high in the sub-tropical rainforest of Lamington National Park, 800m above sea level. Another famous eco-icon is O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, a mountaintop haven that’s welcomed guests for nearly a century. From pitching a tent to staying in a modern villa with a spa overlooking the valley, or booking an eco-cabin at Pat’s Farm, there’s the perfect blend of comfort to soothe tired muscles from a day of hiking. Famed fellow eco-stay Mt Barney Lodge in Mount Barney National Park is home to plenty of activities like rock climbing, abseiling, bushwalks, mountain expeditions and navigation courses that both kids and adults can immerse themselves in. Find the perfect sustainable night’s stay at Tamborine Mountain Glades, with their Hillside Rooms, Self-Contained Lodges, Woodlands Glamping Tents and Vista Suites offering stunning views with a touch of style. For a truly secluded high-class experience, Wander leaves no trace with its with its B-Corp certified off-grid eco-pod accommodation overlooking Lake Wyaralong and the vineyards of the Overflow Estate 1895. WanderPods prove less is more, using solar energy, rainwater harvesting and zero-waste practices to ensure your stay treads lightly on the land. What’s more, they even support the work of Bush Heritage Australia and the Scenic Rim’s Million Trees program to protect and regenerate nearby bushland.
Travel lightly, adventure big and make sure you see the sunrises and the sunsets of the Scenic Rim, as they are the perfect bookends to the wonder within this incredible region.
For more on where to visit, hike and see, click here.
