How to see the best of the Scenic Rim

Take a hike through south-east Queensland’s Scenic Rim on Australia’s best multi-day hike.

Picnic on top of rocky outcrops with 300-metre sheer drop-offs,hike along the edge of a 20-million-year-old volcanic crater,and walk through some of the oldest World-Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest left on Earth – the best way to see the Scenic Rim is to walk it.

Over 50 kilometres of trails lead hikers through the most striking sections of Queensland’s Scenic Rim,amongst 40 mountain peaks (some a kilometre high – and more),along sheer ridges and beneath escarpments and cascading waterfalls,all through over 30 000 hectares of parkland,state forest and national parks.

You’d think somewhere this wild – and unheralded – must be located deep in the Australian outback,but Queensland’s very first contribution to the iconic Great Walks Of Australia collection is only 90 minutes’ drive west from Brisbane’s CBD.

The trail

The Scenic Rim is Queensland’s best-kept secret – and the best way to see it is to walk right through the heart of it. The Scenic Rim Trail creates a wildlife corridor for almost 500 endemic animal species and over 250 bird species,while retracing the movements of three Aboriginal clans who have lived in the region for tens of thousands of years.

The trail takes hikers through the remote mountains of the Main Range National Park – which marks the northern tip of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

Part of the multi-day hike takes in established walking trails through the national park,however,other parts allow hikers a passage through exclusive private bushland only ever seen by indigenous Australians and early timber cutters.

While the trail suits most fitness levels,the gradient is never flat for longer than a few minutes. There is some challenging terrain so the trail isn’t for the faint-hearted. But the view makes it’s all worthwhile as you traverse entire mountain ranges,often just a few metres from the edge of sheer cliff faces.

The landscape changes constantly,providing the quintessential snapshot of this unique part of Queensland – from the green,damp scenes inside the world’s oldest remaining rainforest,to dry sclerophyll (eucalypt) forest that looks just like the edge of the Australian outback.

You’ll also walk down into deep,lush fern valleys,then climb to the edge of extinct volcano craters,with views west out over the Great Dividing Range,and east to Brisbane’s CBD,just visible on the horizon. The sunrises,and sunsets from these vantage points are a highlight of the trail.

Eco-luxury

Built through a partnership between the Queensland Government andSpicers Retreats,hikers can now choose how they’d like to complete the walk. There’s three small camping areas along the way designated exclusively for Scenic Rim Trail hikers if you prefer to rough it,or there’s a new five-or-seven-night luxury guided tour.

Should you prefer not to carry all your belongings on your back – and if you fancy a wine and canapes by a fireplace at the end of a day’s hike – the eco-luxury option could be for you.

Introduced in June,guests stay in new accommodation each night as they journey across the eastern edge of an 1100-metre-high extinct volcano,traversing it from north to south. Some nights you’ll sleep on demountable platforms in World-Heritage-listed forest,where sleeping pods,bathrooms and a large common room connect via raised walkways within untouched forest.

Luggage is delivered by all-terrain vehicles traversing fire trails through the forest,meals are prepared by a gourmet chef,beds come king-sized,toilets flush and showers are always steaming hot.

The walk covers an average of approximately 15 kilometres per day and takes guests through every type of ecosystem found in the Scenic Rim region. While there’s plenty of time to unwind in nature,there are many challenges too:you’ll have to scale a 40-metre-high ladder set on a 90-degree cliff face.

But don’t worry,there’s cheese and red wine waiting by the fireplace (and a comfortable bed).

ExploreSpicers 5-or-7- day Scenic Rim Trail, a luxury walk taking in mountains,plains,woodlands and rainforests,millions of years in the making. Book now for 2021.