Photo of Boonah courtesy Scenic Rim Regional Council
One of Brisbane's most in-demand regional destinations, Boonah is set amongst some of the Scenic Rim's most stunning scenery. Boonah is also a top choice for Brisbanites looking for a "tree change".
Travel time
Boonah is a 90 minute drive south west from downtown Brisbane. Take the Ipswich Motorway and Cunningham Highway to Boonah, or via Beaudesert on the Mt. Lindesay Highway.
Boonah is a self-drive destination and not readily accessible by public transportation. The drive is a scenic pleasure - rolling hills dotted with classic old Queenslander homes.
Incidentally scenes from the movie "Unfinished Sky" (released in 2007) and starring Redcliffe born actor William McInnes were filmed in the Boonah and Beaudesert regions in 2006.
What to do
- Fish, sail, water ski and canoe on Lakes Maroon and Moogerah
- Browse galleries and shops in downtown Boonah for artwork, antiques, crafts and collectibles, or buy fresh produce from roadside stalls and fruit shops
- Do some serious rock climbing at Mt French, considered among the world's most challenging. On any given day you'll find international enthusiasts scaling these rugged climbs
- Bushwalk through Mt Greville, Mt Barney, Mt. Walker, Mt Toowoonan, Mt Maroon and Mt Edwards
- Bring your own bike and take a cycle tour of the shire. The 3 to 4 hour ride takes you through 52 kilometres of Boonah's scenic country side. Information available from Boonah's Visitor Information Centre
- View the Scenic Rim from on high in a glider or ultralight with the Boonah Gliding Club (Tel: 07 5463 2630) or Airsport Queensland (Tel: 07 5463 4028)
- Play a round of golf and meet the locals on Boonah's charming nine-hole course. Tel: 07 5463 1470
Where to eat and drink
- The award-winning Wiss House. This heritage Queenslander caters for small groups in its elegant dining room. (Tel: 07 5463 9030)
- The Commercial Hotel's Zest restaurant offers contemporary counter lunches in the restored, Queenslander-style pub. (Tel: 07 5463 1024) Just one of numerous classic hotels in this town offering quality pub food
- Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm has a stunning, contemporary restaurant amidst beautiful views of the Scenic Rim. (Tel: 07 5463 0022)
- Vue Restaurant at Boonah Valley Motel (Tel: 07 5463 4738)
- Wybellina's Coffee Shop ( Tel: 07 5463 2687)
- Art Café du Kalbar (Tel: 07 5463 9265)
- Cafe 17 (Tel: 07 5463 2671)
Boonah town has cafes and restaurants offering a quick bite to eat...and many use home grown produce
Where to stay
- Brook Cottage Bed & Breakfast
- Stark House Bed & Breakfast
- Zengarra Country House & Pavilions
- Vanbery Cottage
- Bilyana Cottages
- Lavender Hill Farm
- Boonah Motel
- Wiss House
- Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge
- Boonah Valley Motel
What to take home
- A bottle of Kooroomba wine and an indulgent lavender beauty product from Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm. FM Bells road Mt Alford, via Boonah. Tel: 07 5463 0022
- A piece of local art or handmade jewellery from Art & Soul Gallery. Corner Walter Street and Yeates Avenue. Tel: 07 5463 2003. (There's a cute coffee shop there too.)
- A rose bush from Barton's Rose Farm. 451 Kents Lagoon Road, Kalbar. Tel: 07 5463 8029. Closed Monday/Tuesday, except public holidays
- Olives from Mt Frazer Olives. 121 Brown Road, Frazerview. Tel: 07 5463 8261 (please phone ahead of visit to confirm availability)
- Plants from Wharkuroogma Nursery. 144 Roberts Road, Roadvale. Tel: 07 5463 5887
More information:
For full listings of accommodation, restaurants and local attractions visit www.scenicrimtourism.org.au
or
email: vic [at] scenicrim [dot] qld [dot] gov [dot] au
or contact:
Boonah Visitor Information Centre 20 Boonah Fassifern Rd Boonah QLD 4310 Tel: 07 5463 2233While you're in the area
For more day trip ideas close by, checkout the Ipswich region .
