Walk Queensland's Scenic Rim

Welcome to Australia’s Scenic Rim! Your adventure begins in Brisbane or Meeanjin, in the language of the Turrbal people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Brisbane is now located. You’ll be picked up at 9.30 am this morning by your leader before hitting the road towards Lamington National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is dotted with ancient trees, tumbling waterfalls and varied wildlife, all best discovered on foot. Venture into the park for today's hike around the Green Mountains. As you walk, see the Wishing Tree, Moonlight Crag, Balancing Rock and Moran’s Falls and learn about the area’s history and landscape from your leader. This evening, maybe watch the sunset from the deck, then maybe join your group for dinner and chat about the day’s discoveries.

Fill up on breakfast, lace up your hiking boots and set off on the Box Forest Circuit. Walk through strands of pink-barked brush box, see the Darragumai Falls and Tullerigumai Falls and stop at the beautiful Elabana Falls. In spring, look for delicate white flowers of box orchids. If there’s time, maybe set off on a tree top walk or continue your hike to the botanical gardens. Later head to your next accommodation in the Boonah Valley. (B)

Travel to Mount Cordeaux (Niamboyoo), stopping along the way to buy a picnic lunch for later. Mount Cordeaux in Main Range National Park forms the northern side of Cunninghams Gap and overlooks the Scenic Rim. Follow the walking track up the mountain, passing by an abandoned goldmine shaft where gold was never found. The track ends just before the summit and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with showstopping views of the Main Range National Park, the Darling Downs and even the high-rise buildings of Brisbane. Along the way, listen out for the call of the Albert’s lyrebird and look for red spear lillies. Later, check into your accommodation – an eco-conscious homestead converted from a typical 1900s 'Queenslander' farmhouse with mountain views. In the late afternoon, maybe walk to a lookout point and watch the sunset over Mount Barney. (B/L)

After breakfast, join a First Nations guide for a Smoking Ceremony and cultural walk in the Yellow Pinch Reserve. Learn about Mt Barney from the land’s Traditional Custodians before heading to Mount Barney (Boogarah Boogarah/Kaieee) this afternoon. When you arrive, set off along the Lower Portals track, crossing undulating and sometimes rugged terrain. Pass through open bushland, rockpools and creeks, which you may need to cross in water up to thigh height in some places. You may be visited by a wallaby on your walk or spot black cockatoos flying above. For a final taste of local culture, enjoy a group barbecue dinner on the homestead grounds – a great way to celebrate the last night of your trip! (B/L/D)

This morning, head out to Tamborine National Park – Queensland’s oldest national park and home to all manner of unique wildlife and landscapes. Step into a eucalyptus forest on the Curtis Falls track, which eventually gives way to lush rainforest punctuated with towering ferns. Continue to the shady Palm Grove circuit through subtropical rainforest and look down to see collections of unusual fungi – be sure to look up to see strangler figs and piccabeen palm trees. Return to Brisbane in the afternoon, where your adventure comes to an end at approximately 4 pm. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)