Beaudesert

At first glance it would be tempting to view Beaudesert, in the Gold Coast hinterland, as a blink-and-you-miss-it stop-off along the Mt Lindesay Highway. Don’t. For what this quaint country town lacks in traditional tourism attractions, it more than makes up for in its authentic rural experiences.

Craving some down-to-earth people? A destination where you can take your time, have a yarn with a local? Wander down an uncrowded main street? Enjoy a cold beer in a country pub? Built off the back of the wool industry, Beaudesert’s history is as golden as its landscape. Named by a sheep farmer around 1841, Beaudesert also has a rich rail story, serving the meat packing industry with a line which ran all the way to the outskirts of Brisbane. While the trains no longer run here, this region stays on track and trend with quality country restaurants serving lashings of homegrown hospitality, colourful country markets and handsome heritage buildings.

There’s also burgeoning vineyards and boutique accommodation ideal for romantic escapes. Nestled among national parks and rainforests, some of which are World Heritage listed, bushwalk around nearby Mt Tamborine, Mt Lindesay, Mt Barney, Mt Ernest, Mt May and Mt Maroon.