This story is part of the August 25 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories . The Scenic Rim, that region of farmland, forest and dramatic mountain ranges tucked behind the Gold Coast, has long been a weekend destination for Queenslanders.
Now a number of new ventures, from fine dining to yoga with alpacas, have revitalised it, making it a spot with something for everyone. Three years ago, chef Jack Stuart (ex-Gauge) abandoned Brisbane for the town of Boonah, where he set about turning local produce into culinary art at Blume restaurant. Stuart has a thing for vegetables and, while every dish of the six-course degustation lunch menu I sample is exquisite, it’s his take on beets, sprouts and cabbage that make eating here unforgettable.
At Verandah House Country Estate the views of Mount Warning and the Gold Coast can be enjoyed from hot tub, sauna, communal firepit or your suite. Brenda Fawden and Sonja Drexler of Mondo Organics have also abandoned the city for Mount Tamborine, where they’ve recently opened their dream project, North Stores. The modern, bright space at the end of Main Street is home to Picnic (sustainable, clean, healthy and tasty food; no deep-fryers here) and a handful of artisan businesses.
These include ceramics at Andrew Moir’s Potta Studio, Katherine Chamberlain’s Floral Atelier for masterclasses in flower arranging and, a rare find in Australia, a distillery making amaro. At Loborn, you can sample three varieties of the Italian apéritif, lo.