Nestled in the heart of the Scenic Rim, just over an hour from Brisbane, Canungra is a stone’s throw from gorgeous hiking trails, waterfalls and wineries, making it a choice home base on a weekend getaway from Brisbane. Save these hidden gems for your next visit.
Where to stay
Around ten minutes from Canungra is The Stables, a luxe Queenslander holiday home set on a stunning private farm. You’ll have the whole place to yourself at this three-bedroom Airbnb, with a wrap-around balcony boasting views of the Scenic Rim’s rolling hills and mountains, and comfortable amenities such as a clawfoot bathtub and a rainfall shower.
The Stables is also home to farm animals you can feed, and is walking distance to O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards. It’s also pet-friendly, so no need to leave the puppers at home.
For a more traditional stay, O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat is nestled within Lamington National Park and offers many family-friendly activities onsite, such as a guided bird walk!
If you’re looking to save a bit, Canungra Hotel is the perfect balance of affordability and quality, housed in a beautiful historic building and with an excellent location just minutes from the town centre.
Finally, if you’re the outdoorsy type and truly want to commune with nature, the Binna Burra Lodge is a great option, with a campsite offering permanent camping tents with comfortable beds, and a convenient location not far from cafés and other attractions.
Where to eat and drink
Some people like to cook breakfast at their accommodation on a sojourn, and others prefer to go out and experience the local dining scene. If you prefer the latter, we recommend starting the day at Bean In, a gorgeous café in Canungra, which serves up mean breakfast and brunch food such as haloumi rolls, hash brown stacks with poached eggs and hollandaise, as well as grab-and-go pastries and sandwiches.
The aforementioned O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards is a choice winery option, but being right next to Mountview Alpaca Farm, it does get quite busy on weekends.
If you want something a little more secluded, head to Sarabah Estate Vineyard for wine tastings with cheese pairing, wood-fired pizza, or one of their tasty steaks, which are claimed to be the best in the Scenic Rim.
And, of course, there’s the unmissable Outpost Café, built way back in 1946 and still famous for its selection of sausage rolls, breakfast dishes and, most of all, its mouth-watering pies!
What to do
Being a 45-minute drive to Lamington National Park and just half an hour to Tamborine Mountain, you’ll be spoiled for choice with nature walks and waterfall visits. Our favourites are Box Forest Circuit, Morans Falls, O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk, and Curtis Falls.
For pampering experiences, The Lost World Day Spawill have you truly relaxed, with a range of wellness treatments against a backdrop of lush rainforest.
Culture and history lovers will also find plenty to do in town, with the abandoned and fascinating Lahey’s Tramway Tunnel just a short walk away — although the tunnel itself is closed. To learn more about this and other local stories, pay a visit to the Canungra and District Historical museum, which is also free!
And, if you happen to visit on the last Saturday of the month, you’ll get a chance to browse the charming Canungra Village Markets, which showcase local produce, handmade goods, boutique fashion, and gourmet treats.
For more information on Canungra, head to the Scenic Rim Regional Council website.
Editorial contribution by: MJ Gayón.