The full program for Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is now officially LIVE, and it’s bursting with creativity, flavour and authenticity (as well as carrots, cheese, meats, wine, beer and pickles)! This year’s festival brings back some foodie favourites as well as introduces new, exciting experiences so you’d best be buying tickets NOW as some events will definitely sell out!
In its 13th year and second in the month-long format (there was just too much flavour to fit in a week!), Australia’s most authentic paddock-to-plate, food and farming experience will shine the light on the farmers, growers, producers, artisans, chefs and creators and the spectacular produce of the famous Scenic Rim across all of June.
There’s more than 120 food events from Beaudesert to Beechmont, Kerry to Kalbar, and Mount Alford to Tamborine Mountain including 40 Long Lunches, Degustations and Dinners, 23 Workshops and Classes, 37 Tours and Experiences, 53 Meet the Producer opportunities and 50+ Family Friendly options. The program also includes over 50 new or redesigned events.
As if in a wonderful endorsement by Mother Nature, there’s five full weekends in June this year, meaning more flavour experiences for everyone!
“The Scenic Rim Eat Local Month 2024 program is a foodie’s dream,” Minister for Tourism, The Hon. Michael Healy MP says. “It takes visitors on a journey of flavours, from paddock-to-plate experiences to hands-on workshops and masterclasses.
“With more than 7,500 visitors expected to travel to the region it is also a major boost for local accommodation and hospitality providers and for good local jobs. The event also provides local tourism operators and small businesses the opportunity to showcase the very best of what this beautiful part of our state has to offer and to highlight our unique Queensland destinations and experiences.”
What’s new at Eat Local Month in 2024?
Look, there are honestly so many new things in 2024 (alongside crowd faves) that we can’t list them all, so we’ve picked a few we’re most looking forward to. The rest can be found at eatlocalmonth.com.au.
In huge and exciting news, Winter Harvest Festival, the signature event and finale of Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, will now be held in Kalbar as part of a full-weekend of harvest activities celebrated from June 28 to 30 in and around the stunning rural village of Kalbar and beyond!
This new weekend features a Friday night Harvest Dinner at The Roadvale Hotel, a Saturday evening Harvest Hoedown featuring the region’s country music star Laura Frank, and of course the day-long Winter Harvest Festival celebrating the joy of harvest produce and featuring the legendary Tractor Pull event. On Sunday 5th generation famers Valley Pride Produce will welcome foodies to harvest fresh, local, and seasonal goodies on their farm, and The Progressive Paddock will be hosted by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Ash Martin. Check the full program for more because it’s an epic, flavour-filled way to end Eat Local Month!
The month-long celebration begins on the first weekend of June, with a flavour-focus on the stunning towns and villages of Canungra, Tamborine Mountain and Beechmont!
Joining Scenic Rim Eat Local Month for the first time is the Forgotten Sound Farm, with owner Jaimi Pennell sharing the secrets of sustainable and ‘beyond organic’ farming.
Also new to the event is The Loborn Tasting Bar which distils their own modern amaro liqueur and will host tastings, and just nearby, foodies can create their signature spirit at Tamborine Mountain Distillery, now Australia’s most awarded distillery!
The second weekend focuses on the western side of the region, home to a patchwork of paddocks, bordered by ancient volcanoes and some of the most fertile soils in the country.
This part of the region proudly holds the title of Australia’s carrot-growing capital, with local farmers harvesting 600 million each year and yes, this is the weekend of the famous Kalfresh Carrot Day (book immediately as this experience sells out quickly!). June is also the only month that Moffatt’s Fresh Produce make their sought-after Carrot Ice-Cream!
Mount French Lodge hosts the Long Lunch on the Lawn, Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Jack Stuart’s multi-awarded Blume Restaurant in Boonah will host the Guest Chef Series, alongside Jimmy Richardson, Head Chef at Brisbane’s famous Gerard’s Bistro. Valley Pride Produce has a Harvest with the Farmer morning where fans can pick their own produce alongside fifth-generation farmers and the Heritage Poultry Open Day will teach all about poultry farming!
The Roadvale Hotel holds the six-course Roadvale Degustation hosted by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador chef Daniel Groneberg, while newbie Chef Elliot Platz will welcome foodies to dine amongst the lavender fields at A Locavore’s Delight.
The fourth weekend focuses on the heart of the region and will be extra special as Beaudesert celebrates its Sesquicentennial Anniversary (150 years!) and Tommerup’s Dairy Farm marks 150 years of farming (their produce is featuring at events cross the month).
Food adventures can embark on an all-day vegetarian campfire cooking adventure at the Campfire Lunch and Nature Immersion in the Forest hosted by guides from the Wild Mountains Nature Refuge, or experience a Native Foods Tasting Tour with Wilde Foods, learning about forest transformation and regenerative land practices.
The best advice is to plan your visit, take some time to read the program, and book accommodation and tickets now, because with a menu this good, it will sell out!
SCENIC RIM EAT LOCAL MONTH 2024, Saturday June 1 to Sunday June 30, tickets on sale now.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
