Your Experience Packages
Scenic Rim
GOURMET SHORT STAY
01 – July 2019 (4 nights)
Highlights
- Celebrate the food, farmers & natural beauty of the Scenic Rim
- Participate in the Eat Local Week Festival, a foodies delight
- Spend four nights on Tamborine Mountain
- Enjoy epicurean indulgences & boutique wineries
- Follow ‘paddock to plate’ food trails
- Enjoy farm gate visits & tastings
- Savour exclusive dining experiences focusing on the regions world class food & wine
- Balance the food & wine experiences with easy walks in Tamborine & Main Range national parks
The Scenic Rim Region, only one hour south west of Brisbane, is a thriving rural paradise set in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and dotted with World Heritage listed national parks. This is a region built on the back of agricultural production spanning many generations.
This gourmet short stay tour during Scenic Rim Eat Local Week connects you with the tastes, sights and characters of the area whilst enjoying lazy long lunches and other Eat Local events. The rich soil, climate and pure water create the ideal environment to produce award winning wines, cheeses and fresh farm produce.
Visit the makers and growers to sample wines, liqueurs, crafted beers along with innovative restaurants offering the best of seasonal produce. Contrast all these taste sensations with easy short walks in the forests of Tamborine National Park and around the country town of Boonah.
Relax in comfortable accommodation, explore the scenic back roads with a local guide and soak up the relaxed atmosphere and thriving arts scene of the Scenic Rim towns.
The Scenic Rim is home to some fabulous farmers, producers, and chefs. These talented people are the backbone of Scenic Rim Eat Local Week, where you can visit the farms, taste the food and meet the makers.
For more detailed information on your Accommodation and Accommodation Options please click on the Accommodation Tab below.
** Bookings close Friday 14th June 2019
DETAILS
Price: Twinshare / person (ex Brisbane) Price: A$2,180
Single Supplement: A$380
Note: For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate, but if this is not possible the sole-use surcharge will apply.
Minimum Group size: 8 guests
** Bookings close Friday 14th June 2019
ACCOMMODATION & OPTIONS:
Your tour price includes 4 nights of twinshare accommodation in one of our hand-picked 4 star traditional style B&B’s on Tamborine Mountain.
Upgrade your accommodation:
You may chose to upgrade to one of our amazing hand-picked one bedroom private cottages for an additional $250 per person, or $500 for a single (total cost for four nights)
Shared Holiday House:
Or upgrade to one of our lovely hand-picked Holiday Houses. * Must be booked as a group of three couples.
WALK RATING
Easy: 2 – 5km per walking day. Age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience, and anyone of reasonable fitness should be able to join this tour.
** We reserve the right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions and group fitness.
Tour Availability (Months)
ACCOMMODATION
Included, 4 Star traditional style Bed & Breakfast Accommodation with private facilities
We have arrangements with 3 of our Tamborine Mountain Bed & Breakfast establishments where we know you will be well looked after.
Please note that allocation of the specific B&B and rooms will be subject to availability at the time of booking and confirmation.
Three Tamborine Mountain Bed & Breakfast establishments listed below…
AMORE BED & BREAKFAST — If you are looking for exceptional accommodation situated close to the heart of everything – then look no further than Amore. Offering elegant traditional B&B accommodation and the quality, charm and intuitive service you deserve Amore is the perfect place to relax.
EAGLEMOUNT BED & BREAKFAST — Charming & picturesque, the ideal getaway. Retreat to the cool of Tamborine Mountain and relax in the privacy of our luxurious Eaglemount Lodge estate, while still being close to all the restaurants, shops and activities of the Mountain.
TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN BED & BREAKFAST — Uniquely Australian Bed & Breakfast accommodation located atop beautiful Tamborine Mountain. Be captivated by the absolutely spectacular breathtaking views from your guest deck. Your home away from home – eat well, sleep well – relax, unwind, slow down.
Your Accommodation options:
You may upgrade your accommodation..
To a one bedroom private cottage at Witches Falls Cottages for an additional $250 per person, or $500 for a single (total cost for four nights)
Or Choose a Shared Holiday House:
Available at Sky House Tamborine Mountain, must be booked as a group of three couples.
INCLUSIONS
• 4 night twin share Bed and Breakfast accommodation with private facilities
• Meals – 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 light evening meals
• All transfers as listed in itinerary
• National park and entry fees
• Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides
• Pre-departure material including background & personalised A-Z tour
information and destination tour companion
EXCLUSIONS
• Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour
• Heavy or excess baggage
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses e.g. drinks (water, wine & alcohol, tea & coffee), laundry, telephone, or optional tours / excursions
YOUR EXPERIENCED & DEDICATED TOUR LEADER
Lisa Groom is the daughter of IPT founders Tony & Connie Groom and grand-daughter of Binna Burra Mountain Lodge founder Arthur Groom. You could say the great outdoors is in Lisa’s blood! Growing up with the business she commenced working as a tour leader and co-ordinator with interNATIONAL PARKtours (IPT) in 1991, and took over the helm of the company from her parents in 2001. Conducting tours in Australia and Europe, her passion for walking holidays, regional ecotourism, finding local characters and showcasing nature from a different perspective ensures a rewarding journey.
How & when to book?
Our biggest message to you is BOOK EARLY!!
Many tours book out very quickly so the moral of the story is the early bird catches the worm! You simply need to send a completed booking form and deposit of A$400 per person per tour, to reach us by Friday 14th June 2019 the tour booking closing date.
Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in contact with regular mailings (see below).
What information and contact can I expect?
When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to confirm your booking. Once the tour has been confirmed to depart, a comprehensive information pack will be sent to you, including a Tour A-Z, suggested packing list, medical questionnaire, balance of payment invoice, and pre / post accommodation options. We can assist you with flight arrangements but please don’t book flights until our office contacts you to confirm that your tour has been confirmed to depart.
The final mailing is sent out approximately three weeks before departure and includes final tour documents, address list for family and friends, meeting points, and any final travel information.
What is the group size?
We specialise in small group travel with an average group size of around 10-20 guests. The minimum group size for this particular tour is 8 guests. All tours need a minimum number of passengers to operate at the price listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge.
How fit do I have to be?
When you are assessing your ability and agility to participate, age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience. Please read the tour walk rating and the day by day walking descriptions in the itinerary to determine if the tour is suitable for your fitness.
If you have any queries, we are happy to put you in touch with either the tour coordinator or tour leader to discuss your fitness in more detail.
What gear and equipment do I need to take?
Because we focus on half and full day walks, returning to our accommodation in the afternoon, you don’t need to carry any more than a daypack with rain wear, sunscreen, drinking water, camera and lunch.
A few tours include an overnight hike where you will need to carry personal gear for the journey. We recommend hiking boots on most of our tours as they offer good ankle support and grip. A detailed packing list is included with your tour’s information pack.
TOUR ITINERARY July 2019 (4 nights)
Day 1 – Sun 1 Jul | O’Reilly’s Long Lunch / Tamborine Mountain
Your tour starts in Brisbane at 8.45am when your tour leader meets you at the Mercure Hotel at North Quay, Brisbane. We drive south stopping on the way for a short walk at Cedar Creek Falls, the base of Tamborine Mountain.
We then relax by the Canungra Creek at the O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards Longest Lunch, a 3 course shared platter menu featuring locally sourced produce.
Traveling up to nearby Tamborine Mountain, we take in the afternoon light from a beautiful vantage point. Enjoy a light supper before settling in to comfortable accommodation, our base for the next 4 nights.
Meals: L, D
Walks: Waterfall walks – 15-30 min, 500m return to lookout, 900m return to rock-pools
Day 2 – Mon 2 Jul | Tamborine Mountain short walk
Located in the north east of the Scenic Rim region, Tamborine Mountain was a dairy farming community for many years. It has now become a popular destination for bushwalking, art galleries, local food and wine. This morning after breakfast, we enjoy an hour long walk through the rainforest. Our lunch time activities today feature more of the seasonal produce Tamborine Mountain has to offer.
We make good use of the afternoon visiting local wineries, distilleries and cheese makers before returning to our accommodation. We have time for an afternoon rest before a light evening meal.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Rainforest walk -1hr, 3km on well graded tracks
Day 3 – Tue 3 Jul | Farm gate visits / Boonah
Today we start our exploration of the Western towns of the Scenic Rim. We spend the day immersing ourselves in the best of the Scenic Rim Eat Local week program. With many different farms, vineyards and gourmet events on offer, we use our local knowledge to your advantage. We also enjoy any regional art shows or short walks if time allows. We return to our base, Tamborine Mountain for dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: short walks
Day 4 – Wed 4 Jul | Mt French / Fassifern Valley
Today we again take the opportunity to connect with the food, farms and natural beauty of the Scenic Rim, as part of Eat Local Week. Depending on the programs available we have 2 regions we can explore: Rathdowney / Mt Barney region or the Lost World Valley. Time permitting, we also enjoy an easy walk on Mt French overlooking the Fassifern Valley. Lunch today is sure to include more regional food delights and stunning views over the Main Range peaks.
There will be some time to relax and enjoy the afternoon light before a local dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Mt French walk – 30 min, 1-2km return on well graded track
Day 5 – Thu 5 Jul | Kalbar / Harrisville / Brisbane
Art, history, local characters and more regional tastings are the focus of our last day. We visit the historical towns of Kalbar and Harrisville plus stop at some innovative farms in the area if time allows. Travelling back to Brisbane, we have one last celebration of Scenic Rim produce, a long and lovely lunch at GOMA (Qld Gallery of Modern Art). The gallery is centrally located making it easy for you to travel back home or to the airport.
Meals: B, L
Walks: town and short strolls
REDISCOVER – EXPERIENCE – CONNECT
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
InterNATIONAL PARKtours have been leading small group walking holidays since 1975. Our like-minded guests bond easily and often create reunions, celebrations and friendships, many of them lifelong.
Our tours are active with regular half and full day walks. Aside from walking, we also spend time meeting local people, tasting regional food and immersing ourselves in the culture and history of a destination. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the likes, dislikes and agility of our travellers, and changing situations such as weather and unforeseen circumstances. In most locations, we stay 2-3 nights and sometimes longer. This allows us to slow down, unpack our bags and enjoy the local atmosphere at different times of the day. Accommodation is comfortable, unique plus locally owned and operated where possible.
Our guides are dedicated, informative people who share their passion and knowledge on local history, culture, wildlife & topography. Our journeys are designed to safeguard the ecosystems; benefit the communities we visit and contribute to the sustainability of destinations. Travel is a chance to change your perspective. Nature always provides a new view if we take the time to look.
Responsible Travel
For your protection, we are allied members of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents.
Your payments are kept in a trust account until required for payment of your tour. We are accredited with ATAS, a national accreditation scheme, endorsing travel agents who have met strict financial and customer service criteria.
We also have advanced accreditation with Ecotourism Australia and are members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Serendipity of travel
Our guides will work 24/7 on your behalf to make sure that we are doing all we can to ensure your enjoyment. We have planned an intimate adventure, but adventure cannot be guaranteed. If indeed it could then it would lose its appeal. Though we do the best we can to plan a smooth journey, sometimes things change at short notice. Some things may take longer than anticipated, transport and accommodation arrangements may alter, and you may experience occasional shortcomings and be frustrated by the ‘manana’ attitude; at other times you will be amazed by local efficiency.
Tour itineraries may need to be modified but this is done so with your needs in mind and to provide the best tour experience. So, be flexible, surprised and delighted with the serendipity that comes from being open to the unexpected. Your enjoyment of this journey is ultimately up to you.
2019 DATES: 29 JUNE TO 7 JULY
EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE SCENIC RIM
Eat Local Week has something for foodies of all ages, from free and low-cost activities for children and families, including farm tours and cooking classes through to exclusive dining experiences hosted by some of Queensland’s finest Chefs.
This festival of food and farming runs during the first week of the Queensland June-July school holidays at various locations around the Scenic Rim region, which is just one hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
EXPERIENCE THE FOOD AND WINE OF THE SCENIC RIM
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week celebrates the food, farmers and natural beauty of the Scenic Rim through a program of festivals, farm gate events and culinary experiences.
The region, with its fertile alluvial soil, produces a bountiful selection of fruit and vegetables, wines, milk and gourmet products such as olives, cheeses, jams and relishes.
Agriculture and tourism contribute $402-million to the regional economy and Eat Local Week is a celebration of the people whose hard work makes that possible.
It also provides an insight into how our fresh food is produced. This authentic food event connects consumers with farmers and highlights the benefits of sourcing food that’s in-season close to the source.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week launched in 2011 and has grown in size and scale every year since. It features plenty of free and low-cost activities for children and families, including farm tours, cooking classes, producer dinners and opportunities to meet the farmers and taste their wares.
Click on the link below to view or print a PDF file with full details of the walking tour.
Maybe share with someone special? Make a great unforgettable gift!
Your Experienced Tour Operator
INTERNATIONAL PARK TOURS contact details and location map below…
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