Day Trip To Scenic Rim - Kalbar, Boonah, Canungra, Mount Tamborine - Queensland
The
Scenic Rim is just an hour from Brisbane, but can feel like you’re a world
away. Framed by the mountains and valleys between Brisbane and Tamborine Mountain,
this picturesque region lives up to its name. It’s a place to celebrate local
produce, enjoy the breathtaking scenery and unplug from the everyday. As the winter
weather settles in, it’s the perfect excuse to take a scenic drive to the
country for the day and explore the roads less traveled. From 4WD adventures
and fishing expeditions to bushwalking and bird watching in the pristine
national parks, the Scenic Rim offers something special for every explorer.
Our
first stop was the town of Kalbar, which straddles Edward Street and is
dominated by the historic and beautiful Wiss Emporium and Wiss Cottage. Both
buildings, and the nearby Wiss House which is run as a B&B, were built by
the entrepreneurial Wiss Brothers, who were keen traders of produce and farm
goods. The Royal Hotel Kalbar has been renovated and is a popular hub for meals
and cool drinks. Kalbar’s main business area has enjoyed resurgence, with
cafés, a butcher and grocery store, community bank, Elegance & Grace gifts
and homewares store, post office and gift shop, specialty crafts store.
We
stopped at Lovett at Kalbar on the corner of George Street and Edward Street,
which services up an abundance of fresh salads, baked muffins and biscuits and Arthur
Clive’s pies. It’s one of the best little local cafes in the Scenic Rim. The
girls who work there are always so friendly and welcoming and you can’t go wrong
with anything on their menu.
We then
took a short drove onto the town of Boonah. Boonah is located 86 km south-west
of Brisbane and 100m above sea-level. We
stopped at an excellent lookout which can be accessed from the roundabout at
the entrance to the town. Just take Mount Carmel Road which becomes Athol
Terrace and on the Terrace is Bicentennial Place with excellent views across
the town. From the lookout we headed to the Boonah Country Markets, held at
Springleigh Park.
The Markets offers a huge range of fresh fruit and
vegetables, wonderful locally produced cheeses, plants, herbs, flowers, coffee,
arts and crafts, collectibles, garden ornaments, clothing, a myriad of home
made things and delicious temptations of all kinds. Be sure to check out some
of the other great markets within the region.
From
the markets we headed to Boonah’s High St, which is the main shopping area that
boasts some of the most charming country cafes and gift shops around. Kim eyed
off her first store, Duck Junction, which sell a wonderful range of fashion,
homewares and jellewery. The store smells amazing thanks to diffusers and
candles galore with heavenly scents like Lemon Grass & Coconut, Kakadu Plum
and Coco Citrus. Duck Junction is a beautiful shop with exquisite gifts, the
ladies so friendly and provide true country hospitality. Kim picked up 3 pair
of colorful Aussie Natives socks.
Situated
in the top end of High street The Vault Clothes Wear has been selling western
wear, accessories, hats, dresses, tees shoes and much more for many years. They
stock a range of unique Australian labels as well as Orientique, Thomas Cook,
Threadz, Adorne, Havaianas, Rugged Hide & Cadelle Leather to name a few.
Kim stumbled across some Lorna Jane discounted clothing.
Shari
(pup) and myself, stuck outside read up on some history of Boonah. The
Blumbergville Clock, which was created by artist Christopher Trotter and made
from recovered and donated farm equipment, is a distinctive timepiece which was
installed in the Boonah town centre in 2014. "This sculptural time piece
features pieces of equipment sourced from the district that have been
re-imagined. The interaction of objects
with nature, man and time are of particular interest to the artist who also
believes that the element of recycling in his work helps promote the concept of
creative solutions to future generations. The clock was made as a monument to
Boonah's recovery from the floods of 2011 and 2013. Christopher Trotter was
helped in the unique construction by a local clockmaker.
Before
we headed off Kim spotted her favorite caramel tarts in Rockalicious, which is
a hidden little gem that you will be glad you found. Freshly baked scones,
sponge cakes, vanilla slice alongside Colombian coffee and waffles. The Picnic
Parlour in the store offers beautiful and unique picnic settings for you and
your loved ones to relax and enjoy a laugh or two.
We
departed Boonah and stopped next into Canungra before Mt Tamorine. Canungra is
a vibrant country village nestled in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Originally a
timbermill town, Canungra is now known as the gateway to the World Heritage
Listed Lamington National Park. It is
well known for its natural beauty and friendly country hospitality. You can spend
a whole lazy day in Canungra, and browse the eclectic mix of shops.
First
stop was the Country Escape where the clothing and accessories have an
easygoing, timeless, trans-seasonal feel with the likes of Humidity, Oliveetjulie, Namaste, Brave &
True, The Shanty Corporation, LJC Designs, Stitch & Hide, Rare Rabbit, Pink
Woods and Emma Bridgewater just to name a few. They have a selection of gorgeous
homewares and gifts which are little different and unique things that are
always changing. Also inside is Lydia’s Garden, which is a boutique florist. Kim
walked out this a new bag and top, she said she needed them both.
A
little further up the road Kim dropped into The Shoe Vault, which is a boutique
store offering high quality shoes, Kompernero handbags and Adorne jewellery in
the Gold Coast Hinterland. Located behind the Shoe Vault in Canungra, the market features several stalls offering homewares, boutique clothing and gifts,
handcrafted soaps, gorgeous potted plants and outdoor furniture, retro and
vintage wares and superb Byron Bay coffee.
On the
move again we reached the Gallery Walk Mt Tamborine. Tamborine Mountain Gallery Walk is an
abundance of shops across the heart of the Mountain offer everything from
locally-made gifts, clothing, weekend markets, fabulous antiques and even the
quirky, there is no shortage of opportunities for the passionate shopper. Boasting
over 70 specialty shops in one block! There is an array of shops selling
everything from fashion, jewellery, cottage industry arts and crafts, produce,
cellar door outlets, chocolate, fudge, food outlets and cafes. Too many to
mention.
Kim
picked up some earrings from Dandelions 3. The store supplies Scenic Rim
handmade products, sourcing 70% locally made skincare, wellbeing products such
as handmade soaps, oils, handmade products with a unique style, eco friendly
homewares, handmade pottery, handmade jewellery, children’s clothing with a
vintage rustic feel and look. Sustainable local products showcasing the best in
the Scenic Rim area has to offer and the state of Queensland and Australian
products. All products are natural and free from chemicals.
Long Rd
Collective is another store she walked out with book by Dr Libby’s ‘Women’s
Wellness Wisdom’. The unique store sells Home & Gift Wares, Singing Bowls, Handmade
Jewellery and Bags and Baskets from Madagascar & Ghana
Cholmondeley Burnett Darvall in 1906 was a Solicitor,
took up his residence at Boonah, where he practiced in partnership with Mr. W.
R. Bowman. He is a great-grandson of Major Darvall, who came to Australia in
the 1830’s, and settled at Rydedale, near Ryde, New South Wales, where he owned
large tracts of country on the Parramatta River, and was engaged extensively in
fruit cultivation, primarily oranges. Major Darvall, who lived to a great age,
was the father of a large family of sons and Cholmondely is Kim’s father-in-law of
great-aunt, Enid Dorothy Eglinton.
. The name Darvall is still prominent in the Boonah Shire.
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