Idyllic places to cool off within the Scenic Rim

0.9km, 30mins, moderate

Cedar Creek Falls, in Tamborine National Park, is a short walk from Thunderbird Park and the perfect place to find respite on a hot summer’s day.

Stroll through an open canyon and natural swimming holes to take a dip in the freshwater pool beneath the falls. You can swim directly under the waterfall to immerse yourself in the cascading water for a massage served by mother nature herself.

If family-fun is on your agenda, Thunderbird Park is the perfect place to base your adventure on the mountain. Play laser skirmish in the jungle, tackle the high ropes course at TreeTop Challenge, or play a round of golf on the mini-golf course.

For a change of pace, grab a bite to eat, watch the sunset and enjoy the live music at the local Bearded Dragon Hotel. While you’re tucking into a smoky beef brisket or classic parmy, the kids will be occupied with farm animals and a playground to wear off excess energy before heading home.

Don’t want to leave? Enjoy the rainforest a little longer and stay nearby at Tamborine Mountain Glades (formerly Cedar Creek Lodge). Book a self-contained lodge or glamping tent, complete with an open-air shower to wholeheartedly soak up the surrounding rainforest.

11km return walk, 4hrs, moderate

Looking for a waterfall experience that will leave your followers double tapping with envy? A quick scroll through #visitscenicrim is all it takes to see why Coomera Falls are Insta-worthy – ever flowing and dropping 160m into the valley below.

Tucked away in a particularly lush area of Lamington National Park, to reach this stunning cascade, walk 1.9km from the Binna Burra trailhead along the Border Track and then follow the scenic, grade 4 Coomera circuit through the lush Gondwana rainforest to the Coomera Falls’ Lookout, located 5.5km from the trailhead, where you can take in the magnitude of the mighty Coomera Falls and its neighbouring Yarrabilgong Falls as they thunder into the Coomera Valley. 

After snapping a #corememory with your hiking buddies, retrace your steps for a satisfying 11km walk. Please note: The Coomera Circuit track beyond the Coomera Falls Lookout sustained significant damage from severe weather early in 2024. The southern section of the circuit track is closed until at least 25 July 2025, from beyond the Coomera Falls Lookout to where it rejoins the Border Track. Before visiting any national park it’s wise to check the relevant park alerts for the latest information on where you can go, along with local park conditions. 

Why not reward yourself following your walk with a night of country luxury by staying local in a Binna Burra Tiny Wild House, a Alcheringa Holiday House or at Beechmont Estate or Country Mile Escape?

Stay where you play and put up camp beside the pristine Stockyard Creek at Kerry Valley Secret.

Put up the tent or park your caravan amongst silky oaks and ironwood trees, with a creek to your side and views of Lamington National Park scenery all around. 

Booking the campground here means you reserve the entire property to yourself, giving you the privacy and exclusivity that every camper dreams of – listening to the birds sing rather than your neighbours snore! 

Add your togs to the packing list and discover their Albert River swimming hole just a short stroll from your campsite. For your own ‘lazy river’ experience, pack the inflatable donuts and let the current take the wheel from the swimming area to the landing spots downstream.

For some calmer splashing the little ones will love, enjoy nature-play in the babbling Stockyard Creek mere metres from your campsite.

Cool down with nature’s air conditioning by booking a stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park. O’Reilly’s is the epitome of chill, with temperatures known to sit around eight degrees cooler than the coast.

From its lush, mountain-top position, swap screen time for green time and take in the spectacular panoramic views overlooking the Lost World Valley from O’Reilly’s #instaworthy Infinity Pool.

Sure you can visit O’Reilly’s on a day trip, but with a range of great accommodation on offer, you’ll want to extend into an overnight stay and, as an in-house guest, spend your days soaking in the Infinity Pool, or making a splash in their plunge pools or spa. 

For something more active, don your walking shoes to explore the many streams, cascades and waterfalls peppered through the Lamington National Park around your accommodation. 

And, of course, sundowners and summer go hand in hand, whether you order a cocktail, beer on tap or chilled glass of local white from the Rainforest Bar to watch the sunset over the valleys below. 

Nestled high in the foothills of the world-renowned Lamington National Park, the Eagles Nest is the perfect place to avoid the heat and watch the sun setting over breathtaking views from the private infinity pool.

With four bedrooms able to accommodate ten guests, this magnificent holiday house has been recently renovated in a luxurious, yet relaxed country style, making it the perfect retreat for families and groups of friends.

Whether spending the day in the pool, walking the 50-acre property or in the nearby ancient Gondwana rainforests, cooking up a storm in the deluxe kitchen, or simply gazing at the crystal clear starry night sky around a campfire, here you’ll find the privacy and peace, relaxation and reconnection that are the hallmarks of a perfect holiday.

Leave the traffic headed to the coast behind and whisk your favourite people away from the city to a modern luxury lodge holding prime position on a majestic mountain side overlooking the ancient Scenic Rim. 

For those seeking privacy and the peace of nature, in less time than a feature length movie, find yourself poolside in maximum comfort at Mount French Lodge in Charlwood. 

With eight guest suites and a legendary Great Room for catered meals and shared activities, you and your fifteen favourite people will have exclusive access to the property’s 100 acres and stunning facilities.

Your summer itinerary isn’t confined to soaking in the large saltwater pool. For some it’s also sitting with a book under shady trees or exploring the mountainside and then relaxing with a champagne framed against an endless horizon. Whether walking, playing or simply being, this is a place where families and friends truly connect. 

For an easy and playful way to soak up summer, visit one of the five public pools throughout the Scenic Rim region. 

Pack the kids into the car and plug Beaudesert Pool into the navigator to arrive at a 50-metre pool, wading pool and toddler splash park the kids won’t want to leave. 

The 25-metre public pools in Boonah, Rathdowney, Canungra and Tamborine Mountain also offer a range of child-friendly facilities, from children’s play areas to small toddler pools to Mum and Bubba classes, and learn to swim classes. 

For serious swimmers wanting to partner cooling off with daily exercise, join the swim squad at each of our pools to increase your heart rate, decrease your temperature and make new friends in the process.

Learn more about the facilities and rates of each of our pools here. 

• Only swim in waterholes or creeks where allowed
• Check the weather forecast and current conditions. During and after heavy rain, creek conditions can change and become dangerous. Fast flowing, rapidly rising water—with strong currents—can occur. Stay safe—do not enter the water.
• Choose walks suited to your fitness level
• Pack more water and snacks than you think you’ll need, even for short walks
• Never  walk in or after storms or heavy rainfall
• Walk early in the day. Do not attempt a long walk after midday

For more tips visit this handy guide