5 ways to travel more sustainably within the Scenic Rim

Surrounded by rugged mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and ancient Gondwana rainforests, the Scenic Rim is a natural wonderland for visitors. With such great natural beauty comes a shared responsibility to preserve it, and this region proudly leads the way in ecotourism. Home to some of Australia’s top sustainable experiences at iconic destinations like Tamborine Mountain, Mount Barney National Park, and Lamington National Park—the Scenic Rim offers adventures that connect visitors with nature while safeguarding its future.

Sustainable travel goes beyond simply choosing a destination and the activities you do while you’re there—it’s also about how you travel, what you pack, and taking the time to slow down and fully appreciate the place you’re visiting. It means seeking out off-season trips, visiting less-travelled areas, supporting local communities, and making sure the diverse landscapes and habitats of places like the Scenic Rim are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

If you’re looking to make a positive impact while immersing yourself in our region’s pristine landscapes, here are five fantastic ways to enjoy a more sustainable journey within the Scenic Rim.

📷 Shea Wittig @conversationswithmysister

If you’re a nature enthusiast, the Scenic Rim has your eco-adventures all mapped out. The following ecotourism certified experience providers don’t just show you the natural beauty of the region—they educate you on how to preserve these delicate ecosystems in the process.

Explore the ancient rainforests and natural landscapes of the region with Southern Cross Tours or JPT Tours for a day, with tour guides sharing the history, culture and stories of the places and unique natural environments throughout.

Learn about native wildlife such as koalas, birds and platypus on a tour 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 (reopening in December 2024), you’ll find hours of entertainment stretching over their 112 hectares on Tamborine Mountain.

If hiking through the wilderness is more your style, lace up your boots with local legends ParkTours and Horizon Guides and join a guided bush walk through ancient Gondwana rainforests, from day hikes to multi-day expeditions. Or, challenge yourself to scale cliffs within 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 a Yarriba Dreaming cultural experience.

For those who want a little luxe, Spicers Scenic Rim Trail offer multi-night adventures thoughtfully winding through lush rainforests and along the Great Dividing Range, ending each day with gourmet meals and a peaceful night in a private eco-cabin.

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, you can indulge in a spacious and fully-equipped 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. It’ll be hard to tear yourself away from the endless mountain views surrounding Binna Burra from 800 metres 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 bath overlooking the valley below, you’ll find the perfect blend of comfort here to soothe your tired muscles from a day of hiking.

To truly appreciate and preserve an environment, we need to know it and respect it, which is why so many weekend warriors head for Mount Barney National Park. Base yourself at Mt Barney Lodge where you’ll find plenty of activities including rock climbing, abseiling, bushwalks, mountain expeditions, and navigation courses that both kids and adults can immerse themselves in.

For a truly secluded and luxe experience, Wander leaves no trace with its B-Corp certified off-grid eco-pod accommodation overlooking Lake Wyaralong and the vineyards of The Overflow Estate 1895. These WanderPods prove less is more and use 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.

Instead of following the crowd, seek out the roads less travelled, where you can experience the destination in a more intimate way.

The Scenic Rim is a vast region to explore, with a variety of terrains from dense rainforests to craggy mountain peaks and rolling farm hills. Be sure to check travel distances before setting out, or better yet, focus on exploring just one or two of our seven different areas to make the most of your visit. P.S. You’ll have to come back to try them all!

While there’s no off-season for the Scenic Rim thanks to its proximity (one hours drive) to Brisbane and the Gold Coast—one of the best ways to experience the Scenic Rim is during mid-week or outside of school holidays.

Slow down, and enjoy. Life and travel is meant to be consumed consciously rather than raced right through it.

Travelling sustainably also means supporting local businesses, and the Scenic Rim is brimming with fantastic spots that prioritise eco-friendly practices.

Tame your rumbling tummy by eating hyper-local, from charming roadside farm gates to cafes and paddock-to-plate restaurants serving the region’s award-winning seasonal produce. Grab a coffee with your own reusable cup under the elegant jacaranda at Scenic Rim Farm Shop and Café before taking home some of their fresh Scenic Rim produce and wares from the Farm Shop. Or find fresh food and delicious brews at VK Everydays Café in Beaudesert, at Picnic Real Food Bar and Spice of Life on Tamborine Mountain, and The Flying Bean Café in Beechmont, which backs onto a jaw-dropping view, or check out these other great ways to eat local all year round within the Scenic Rim.

Here are more top tips to travel and consume consciously in the Scenic Rim:

• Bring your own reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils to avoid single-use plastics.
• Recharge your electric vehicle at over a dozen EV charging sites across the region. From Tamborine Mountain to Beaudesert, Mt Barney to Boonah, Plugshare shows where you can charge up next within the Scenic Rim.
• Choose to walk or bike when exploring, and share transport when possible such as by taking a Tamborine Mountain Hop-on-Hop-off tour with Pineapple Tours, to cut your carbon footprint, help ease congestion and save energy and money.
• If you’re flying into Brisbane or the Gold Coast before heading into the Scenic Rim, consider offsetting your flight’s carbon emissions by contributing to environmental projects.
• Be mindful of water usage by taking shorter showers and reusing towels. Turn off lights, air conditioning, and electronics when they’re not in use, and choose accommodation that prioritises renewable energy.
• The Scenic Rim offers convenient recycling options. Refrain from littering, separate recyclables from regular waste and look for designated recycling street bins, such as the special Containers for Change collection bins on the main streets Beaudesert, Canungra, Tamborine Mountain and Boonah.

The Scenic Rim’s rainforests, waterfalls, lakes, and mountains attract nature lovers from all over, and it’s up to us to protect these environments. When exploring the region, always stick to designated tracks and trails to avoid damaging vegetation, causing erosion, or disturbing wildlife.

Respect for wildlife is essential—take only photos, leave only footprints, and never feed or disrupt native animals. Avoid purchasing souvenirs made from endangered species or plants and remember to give the local fauna space to thrive in their natural habitat.

When visiting natural or cultural sites, be a responsible visitor by following local customs, reducing your environmental impact, and properly disposing of any waste. Carry out everything you bring with you and keep noise levels low to help preserve the tranquillity of these areas for everyone to enjoy.

Safety is also important when venturing into the Scenic Rim’s remote areas. Be prepared, avoid taking unnecessary risks, and always stick to permitted trails. Before setting out, check with local visitor information centres or local tour operators for current advice and guidance to ensure you’re exploring safely.

By making these small, conscious choices, you’re playing a big role in protecting the environment and supporting the local community.