Scenic Rim the only Australian destination included in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022

October 28, 2021

Queensland’s Scenic Rim has been named by global travel authority Lonely Planet as one of the top destinations to visit in 2022 and is being touted to become one of Australia’s key low impact tourism power players.

Unveiled across the world today, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 names the top 10 countries, cities and regions to visit next year, with the Scenic Rim the only Australian inclusion. This edition places particular emphasis on best sustainable travel experiences and named the Scenic Rim 8th in the Top 10 Regions.

Inclusion in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 Top 10 Regions sees the Scenic Rim surrounded by outstanding company. The number one region for 2022 is the Westfjords in Iceland, followed by West Virginia, USA, Xishuangbanna in China, Kent’s Heritage Coast in the UK, Puerto Rico, Shikoku, Japan, Atacama Desert, Chile, Vancouver Island, Canada and Burgundy in France.

Just an hour from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim stretches from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar and is home to the ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, historic national parks, charming towns and villages, adventure parks, farm stays, craft breweries, boutique wineries, ecolodges, tantalising gourmet experiences, world class camping and glamping and breathtaking spaces in between.

Lonely Planet’s Chris Zeiher notes “after bouncing back from the 2019 Black Summer bushfires with a raft of new attractions and a renewed focus on sustainability, the Scenic Rim in Queensland is primed to become of Australia’s low impact tourism power players

“It’s such an untouched and diverse eco-based Australian destination. From the amazing food and wine to the incredible rainforest and bush walks and memorable places to stay, this is an unexpected pocket of Australia that has it all.

"The thing that has struck me about the Scenic Rim are its people. The hospitality you'll experience is off-the-scale... the community will invite you in and make you feel like a part of the family. It's a region that's a shining example of a connected community that's been forced to innovate in the face of serious adversity such as drought, fire and more recently COVID travel restrictions."

Highlights of the region noted by Lonely Planet include Binna Burra Mountain Lodge and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Australia’s newest Great Walk in The Scenic Rim Trail by Spicers, ecolodges Nightfall Wilderness Camp and Mt Barney Lodge as well as the six national parks. Summer Land Camels, the Scenic Rim Farm Box and Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm were spotlighted for showcasing local produce, while boutique wineries and craft breweries, farm stays and characters of the region were all championed.

Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen said being named in the Top 10 Regions in the world for 2022 was a major coup, but not undeserved and added “this is a region of plenty, of rugged ranges, valleys, winding roads and the most welcoming people in the world.

“It’s the region of flavour makers, growers, farmers, foodies and taste-chasers, of path-makers and of forward thinking people who have worked to create visitor experiences that are unique, authentic, educational and sustainable, and have persisted during even the most tumultuous and challenging times.

“As the eyes of the world look to our region, I applaud the people who have created - and keep creating - these experiences and the infrastructure that enables us to welcome visitors with such authenticity and connection. It’s here in the Scenic Rim that locals and visitors alike feel enriched and we are thrilled that this has been recognised; we look forward to sharing our beautiful region with visitors of all ages and from all corners of the world - as always, we ask everyone to tread lightly on our earth.”

Adventurer, naturalist and tourism pioneer Arthur Groom, who went on to found Binna Burra, was originator of the phrase Scenic Rim. He used it to describe the spectacular semicircle of ancient volcanic mountains that wrap around the beautiful valleys, and lay the fertile foundations for the flavour-filled farmlands below.

Each year, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel lists start with nominations from Lonely Planet’s vast community of staff, writers, bloggers, publishing partners and more. The nominations are then whittled down by their panel of travel experts to just 10 countries, 10 regions and 10 cities. Each is chosen for its topicality, unique experiences, ‘wow’ factor and its ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

From Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022: The Scenic Rim isn’t just about rainforest adventures – first-time visitors might be surprised by the diversity of attractions to be found here. On the eastern fringe of the region, just 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast, the misty slopes of Mount Tamborine town are packed with cafes, cellar doors and galleries; while just an hour from Brisbane, on the northern edge of the Scenic Rim, lies hatted restaurant Homage, which specialises in creative paddock-to-plate fare.

In the heart of the region, you can sip on a craft beer in a heritage general-store-turned brewery while tucking into the best Dutch-German bar food this side of Berlin. Stock up on lavender products (or wine) at nearby Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm before heading to Summer Land Camels, where the Persian camel-milk feta might just change your life. Perfect for a long-weekend road trip, the Scenic Rim is dotted with epic landscapes and charming country towns offering a tasty slice of rural life, with cracking Queensland hospitality in plentiful supply too.

For more information, accommodation, day trip information and more, visit visitscenicrim.com.au/

Image top: Kay Tommerup, Gen Windley, Ernie the Alpaca, Georgia Stekhoven, Daniel Groenberg, Mike Webster, Lisa Groom Scenic Rim Best In Travel 2021. Credit Nigel Hallett; Image above: Lisa Groom (Binna Burra) Scenic Rim Best In Travel 2021. Credit Nigel Hallett

15th October 2020 - Lonely Planet ranks Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park high on their list of places to visit

11th January 2017 - Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail named top new destination by Lonely Planet

20th August 2015 - Te Papa one of Lonely Planet’s top 500 places on the planet

18th August 2015 - Lonely Planet names three Tasmanian destinations in ‘Ultimate Travel list’

27th November 2012 - Lonely Planet rates Christchurch a ‘must see’

23rd February 2010 - Sydney BridgeClimb makes Lonely Planet top 10

21st April 2021 - Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular announces full program at Boonah Showground

2nd August 2019 - Clubs combine efforts to promote Scenic Rim Golf courses

11th April 2019 - Queensland Government approves Scenic Rim walking trail venture

24th July 2016 - New Scenic Rim Trail approved as part Queensland strategy for tourism in National Parks

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