THOSE who have chosen to call the Scenic Rim home are no doubt closely noting how more and more tourists are discovering the area.
The region’s natural beauty that attracted many to buy here now sees thousands make the short drive each week from places such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast as they also look to embrace the Scenic Rim’s charm.
While it may mean more traffic on the roads it also means more opportunities for locals to enjoy weekend or maybe midweek adventures.
Over the coming months this column will be overviewing all the things you can now see, do and explore.
To start our Scenic Gems we are travelling to the precincts of Tamborine Mt which is now the Scenic Rim’s tourism hotspot.
Surrounded by rainforest, the mountain’s meandering country roads reveal breathtaking views inland and out to the coast.
The area is now blessed with award-winning wineries, distilleries and breweries, great food and coffee, weekend markets and artisan shops and galleries offering a blend of old and new-world charm.
With over a dozen short rainforest walks to waterfalls and lookouts to choose from in Tamborine National Park, the third oldest national park in the world, visitors are spoilt for choice in ways to enjoy nature.
For adventurers who love a view, a top-down view of the lush rainforest canopy at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and TreeTop Challenge are popular.
Families are enjoying the ecotourism certified Glow Worm Caves and the choice of activities for the young and the young at heart at Thunderbird Park.
For sensory respite in serene surrounds there’s nothing like wandering through the Tamborine Mountain Regional Botanic Gardens and taking a crop-to-cup tour at the Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation.
With so much to do, visitors can escape the world a little longer staying in a charming cottage or bed and breakfast, a stylish guest house, holiday house or modern retreats and hotels.
The popularity of the area continues to expand for day trippers as well as those booking in for special celebrations such as weddings or special anniversaries.