10 best locations to throw out the picnic rug within the Scenic Rim

With pristine waterfront views, rugged landscapes and a number of prime picnic areas to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Lake Moogerah. Just a 15-minute drive from Boonah, you can park your car next to the water and set up for a day of fun both in and out of the water.

One of the best spots to stop is next to Fred Haigh Park, which offers a stunning view over the lake towards Mt Greville and Mt Alford. Forgot the mat? Don’t worry, there are plenty of picnic tables to sit at and barbeques to be fired up for brekky, lunch or dinner.

Just a short drive away from Fred Haigh Park is a well-kept secret located below the dam wall. Reynolds Creek Gorge features barbecues, picnic tables and shelters, as well as a 200m long swimming hole where you can cool off on those days when the mercury rises.

Access Lake Moogerah between 6am to 6pm via Gorge Rd.

With sweeping views of the Scenic Rim countryside, Robert Sowter Park on Tamborine Mountain is a popular spot any time of day.

They say the early bird catches the worm, but here they’ll also catch the first rays of sunlight hitting the rugged mountain peaks across the horizon – you can even warm up with a coffee at one of the nearby cafés.

During the day, pop in to unwind and enjoy the country air, you might even get to watch some thrill-seekers willingly jumping off a perfectly good mountain so they can hang-glide like a bird to the bottom.

As the sun begins to set, head down to the lookout with your special someone and a delicious charcuterie board and witness the brilliant blue sky transform into a blanket of glittering stars. It doesn’t get any better!

With stunning natural beauty and expansive views overlooking the Fassifern Valley, Mt French is an exceptional destination for those who like to earn their rest and pair their picnic with a hike. The lookouts are easily accessible by a sealed road, meaning all car types will have no problem travelling seven minutes out of Boonah and up the mountain.

There are two easy grade walking tracks with a return trip less than a kilometre, which are suitable for both children and adults, with plenty of photo ops along the way. Mt French also has one of the most popular and well-known rock climbing locations in south east Queensland, known locally as Frogs Buttress.

All that adventure is sure to work up your appetite, so there are picnic tables nearby where you can unpack your sandwiches for lunch with a view.

Make sure you stock up on fresh local produce and handmade goodies from the nearby townships of Boonah, Kalbar and Harrisville.

Whether you’re travelling for a day trip or extending your stay, Sharp Park in Canungra is a popular pitstop. Take in the ambience of the stream and natural wildlife and soak up some of that fresh country air. If you’re lucky, you might even spy the resident platypus!

You’ll have ample space to fit a large group under the picnic shelters and if you can’t get enough of the lush, grassy fields and bubbling Canungra River, extend your picnic to a dinner under the stars and campfire cook-up with an overnight camping adventure at Sharp Park Camp Ground.

When packing your picnic basket, be sure to add another bag with your swimmers and towels, as this is a great swimming hole in the warmer months.

If you’re looking for a day of fun, Lake Wyaralong will deliver heaps of family-friendly activities, including boating, SUPing, fishing, mountain biking, walking, horse riding and more.

With so many activities to keep everyone entertained, it’s important to refuel. Stop into nearby Beaudesert and stock up the esky before you head out to keep everyone smiling will full tummy’s throughout the day.

The Lake Wyaralong Picnic Area checks all the boxes for a great picnic area, from electric BBQs to shaded picnic tables, grassy slopes, a playground for the kids, toilets and ample parking spaces.

On weekends, you’ll often find entertainment to pair with your picnic in the form of rowing regattas and watersports taking place on the lake in front of you.

Offering breathtaking views of the mountain ranges along Queensland and New South Wales, Rosins Lookout is well worth a visit. Found atop the Beechmont Plateau, this lookout provides plenty of space to lay out the picnic rug before the grassy field drops into a steep slope and out onto a patchwork quilt of green forestry, farmland and nature.

The public toilets and picnic tables make Rosins Lookout a popular place to stop on the mountain road through Beechmont and watch hang gliders and paragliders make their leap into the open air.

Be sure to fill your esky with lots of cold drinks, salads, fresh produce and meat you can cook up on one of the electric barbecues or if you’d prefer the craftsmanship of your Scenic Rim chefs, stop at The Flying Bean cafe to grab an organic coffee and freshly made meal to enjoy with the view.

Set up your camp chairs and folding table on the base of Lake Maroon, found 30 minute’s drive outside Boonah, where you can spend the day grazing to your heart’s content in between fishing, kayaking and other watersports.

Invite the whole gang to join you and ask everyone to bring a dish big enough to share for your lakeside picnic.

Picnic areas around Lake Maroon include HG Slatter Park, where you’ll find public toilets, picnic tables and a boar ramp and Maroon Day Use Area which features picnic tables and a small playground.

To stay longer and enjoy a multitude of facilities, book in at Lake Maroon Camping Ground, where you can enjoy the lakeside picnic experience over multiple days.

Nestled on the banks of Canungra Creek, O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard is home to a bustling winery, an alpaca farm and prime creekside picnic spots.

Consider your hamper sorted, a pre-booking will see you arrive to a perfectly prepared hamper of locally made cheeses, crackers, salad, meats and a bottle of the vineyard’s own wine.  You’ll also find vegetarian and vegan options, so none of the family and friends need to miss out on this experience.

Once you’ve collected your basket, meander through vineyards to the banks of Canungra Creek, where plenty of nooks in the stream offer grassy areas seemingly built to hold a picnic rug.

For a more out-of-the-ordinary experience, add an extra to your picnic party; a friendly alpaca from Mountview Alpaca Farm. Sign up for one of their alpaca experience to enjoy a tour of the property courtesy of your new furry friend before enjoying your picnic spread.

With plenty of space for families, plus an adventure playground for the kids, Jubilee Park in Beaudesert is a fantastic location for bigger celebrations or a lowkey lunch.

You’ll find Jubilee Park fitted with equipment to provide hours of entertainment, from the multi-level slides, swingset and climbing wall to the outdoor exercise equipment, basketball half-court and skate park.

Fill the esky with fresh cuts from Heit’s Quality Meats in Beaudesert before firing up the electric BBQs on-site and laying out a freshly cooked feast on the nearby picnic tables.

Easily accessible with parking on-site, it’s a great spot for the whole family to enjoy a delicious lunch in a green environment.