Are you planning a trip to Kooralbyn and Beaudesert? This article covers the best things to do in Kooralbyn and Beaudesert, including tourist attractions, activities, places to visit, and tips on where to stay.
The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Mununjali, Yugambeh and Ugarapul People, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Kooralbyn and Beaudesert are situated. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
The localities of Kooralbyn and Beaudesert can be found in the glorious Scenic Rim region of Queensland. Known for their quaint country charm, these settlements are a place to embrace the stunning natural environment and enjoy a range of outdoor leisure pursuits.
With museums and cultural facilities to inspire history and art enthusiasts and exceptional opportunities for sporting pursuits like golf, horse riding, shooting, cycling, and more, these two destinations have much to offer visitors.
So let’s get into it and help you discover the best things to do Beaudesert and Kooralbyn have to offer during your visit to the region.
Main image credit thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland
- THINGS TO DO IN BEAUDESERT AND KOORALBYN MAP
- BEST THINGS TO DO IN KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT
- 1 Beaudesert Historical Museum
- 2 Darlington Park
- 3 The Overflow Estate 1895
- 4 Towri Sheep Cheeses
- 5 Tommerups Dairy Farm
- 6 Scenic Rim Farmers Markets
- 7 Scenic Rim Adventure Park
- 8 Kooralbyn RSL Markets
- 9 Kooralbyn Valley Golf Course
- 10 Kooralbyn Lookout
- 11 Wyaralong Dam
- 12 Beaudesert Community Arts and Information Centre
- 13 Lake Wyaralong Sculpture Park
- DAY TRIPS FROM KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT
- ACCOMMODATION IN KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT
- ENJOY KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT!
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THINGS TO DO IN BEAUDESERT AND KOORALBYN MAP
Before we detail all the things to do in Kooralbyn and Beaudesert to help you plan your itinerary, check out the map below. This map shows the location of everything we’ve covered in this guide.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT
Below we cover the best things to do in Beaudesert, Kooralbyn, and the surrounding area.
1 Beaudesert Historical Museum
The Beaudesert Historical Museum is one of the largest country town museums in the state, so it’s no surprise that it holds over 10,000 artefacts showcasing the Scenic Rim’s heritage.
Some fascinating items on display include a Mother Potts’ clothes iron and a Dennis Fire Engine, used for three decades until the 1960s.
During your visit, don’t miss the Milbanks Pioneer Cottage. Patrick Milbanks built the cottage in 1875 from local timber and slats and added a shingle roof. Inside, it portrays what life was like for early pioneers, with traditional furniture and interesting artefacts.
Location: 54 Brisbane St, Beaudesert
Hours: Daily from 10 am to 2 pm
Cost: $7.50 Adults | $2 Kids (12 and over) | Under 12s Free
2 Darlington Park
If you’re looking for camping near Beaudesert, Darlington Park is a beautiful and affordable campsite beside the Albert River in the foothills of Lamington National Park.
The park is a great destination for cricket on the large oval or birdwatching – look out for rainbow lorikeets, galahs, cockatoos and so much more. Bird seed is available if you want to enjoy feeding the birds.
If you’re searching for swimming holes near Beaudesert, you’ll be very happy here as the river is a great place to cool off. Other park facilities include toilets, a children’s playground, and electric BBQs.
Each campsite is well-maintained and comes with a fire pit. Firewood is available for purchase.
Please note that there are no showers, electricity, or drinking water—so come prepared!
Location: Kerry Road, 20km out of Beaudesert, Darlington
Cost: $10 per adult per night | $5 per child (5 and over) per night | $30 per family (up to 2A + 4C) | Under 5s Free
3 The Overflow Estate 1895
Fuel your love of wine at this gorgeous vineyard with a top-class cellar door, function rooms and a fantastic French restaurant. The Overflow Estate 1895 is a real countryside delight due to its stunning location overlooking a lake and high-quality food offerings.
Whether you’re staying for lunch, a wine tasting or a planned event, you don’t want to rush your time here, as it’s a wonderful place to unwind in the beautiful surroundings. If you have the chance, it’s worth taking the time to stroll around the grounds towards the Wyaralong Dam or relax on the lawn beside the lake.
The winery produces four varieties of wine. Although it began as a labour of love, it now produces 10,000 bottles each year! Thankfully, its stunning location—now equipped with a beautiful tasting room and expansive deck—makes it the perfect site for a cellar door. The views here are superb.
Location: 1660 Beaudesert-Boonah Rd, Beaudesert
Hours: Restaurant open Thursday and Friday 11 am to 3 pm | Weekends 10 am to 4 pm
4 Towri Sheep Cheeses
Try award-winning local artisan cheeses and treats in the heart of the stunning Scenic Rim countryside.
They hold an interactive milking demonstration on the first Saturday of each month. This is a great way to learn about the family farm and its history. Afterwards, you can enjoy a cheese platter before washing it down with a hot drink and doughnuts from the coffee van.
Using the finest local ingredients, Towri Sheep Cheese is the perfect place to support small businesses and pick up gifts or treats to take home.
Location: Towri Sheep Cheesery, “Towri”, 206 Saville Road, Allenview
Hours: Open farm takes place on the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm
Cost: Open farm $5 per person
5 Tommerups Dairy Farm
For a hands-on farm experience, you can’t go wrong with an overnight stay at Tommerup’s working family farm!
You’ll love the farm stay experience, where you can immerse yourself in farm life while enjoying activities such as milking the Jersey cows each morning and feeding the animals. Other activities include picnicking by the creek, swimming in the Albert River, and dinner under the stars.
You’ll need to book early though, as the farm stay is only offered on weekends and during the week on certain school holidays.
Occasionally they also invite guests to visit the farm on open days – check out their social media for details on upcoming events.
Location: 2142 Kerry Road, Kerry, Scenic Rim
Cost: Accommodation $380/night for up to 4 people based on 2 nights
6 Scenic Rim Farmers Markets
This is a great family-owned fruit and veg shop in Beaudesert. It’s the best place to pick up healthy snacks during your stay in the region and a lovely opportunity to gather things for a picnic.
Location: 40 William St, Beaudesert
Hours: Weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm | Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 5 pm
Cost: Entry is free
7 Scenic Rim Adventure Park
If you’re not already impressed by the breathtaking Scenic Rim landscape, then maybe exploring it via a 4WD or mountain bike will get your heart racing.
The Scenic Rim Adventure Park offers more than 28 kilometres of tracks, 14 individual camping sites and 680 acres of fun, hilly terrain.
If you’re visiting with the kids, check out the tyre maze, endeavour maze and other recreational activities during the school holidays.
Location: 636 Tamrookum Creek Road, Tamrookum Creek
Hours: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm
Cost: $45 per 4WD weekdays | $55 per 4WD weekends & public holidays | $15 per 2WD | campsites start at $15 per day
8 Kooralbyn RSL Markets
Get a taste of the local lifestyle at the Kooralbyn RSL Markets. With everything from homemade honey, locally grown plants, homemade crafts, candles and delicious treats, it’s well worth walking around the stalls in pretty Billabong Park – especially if you’re hungry!
Location: Billabong Park, Salisbury Road, Kooralbyn
Hours: Second Sunday of the month from 8 am to 12 pm
Cost: Entry is free
9 Kooralbyn Valley Golf Course
This 18-hole championship golf course is set in the beautiful Kooralbyn Valley. Its design is memorable, as it was carefully carved into a series of hills, valleys, and watercourses.
During your visit to Kooralbyn Valley Golf Course, you’ll share the tranquil site with hundreds of kangaroos who feed here and you’ll be impressed by the fantastic mountain views.
Location: 1 Routley Drive, Kooralbyn
Hours: From 7 am to 5 pm daily
Casual cost: $45 per person 9 hole weekdays | $55 per person 9 hole weekends and public holidays | $70 per person 18 hole weekdays | $90 per person Weekends and public holidays
10 Kooralbyn Lookout
Find your bearings in Kooralbyn by visiting this stunning viewing platform, which overlooks the beautiful surrounding scenery.
It’s a small spot with great views over Mount Barney, Mitchell and Lindsay; so it’s worth a quick stop. There’s a picnic table if you want to stay for lunch, although keep in mind there are no other facilities here.
With excellent views, it’s the ideal spot to enjoy an idyllic Kooralbyn sunset.
Location: 114 Brooks Dr, Kooralbyn
Hours: Always open
Cost: Free
11 Wyaralong Dam
Completed in 2011, Wyaralong Dam is the newest dam in Southeast QLD. It has excellent views from the lake, so it’s a great place to enjoy nature or a picnic by the water.
As for activities, there are many trails to enjoy via horse riding, mountain biking, or bushwalking. On the water, you can enjoy canoeing, paddle boarding and fishing.
Facilities at Wyaralong Dam include wheelchair-accessible toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, cold showers, water tanks and a playground.
Location: Allenview
Hours: Always open
Cost: Free
12 Beaudesert Community Arts and Information Centre
Get help planning your trip by picking up brochures and maps of the local area, or ask the friendly staff for their favourite places in Scenic Rim.
The Beaudesert Community Arts and Information Centre has a gallery space where you can support local artists and craftspeople. Beautiful artwork, upcycled items, crafts, and quilting are on display.
The relaxing tea garden is a nice place to stop for a hot drink during a day of sightseeing.
Location: 2-14 Enterprise Drive, Beaudesert
Hours: From 9 am to 3 pm daily
Cost: Free
13 Lake Wyaralong Sculpture Park
It’s an easy walk up the hill to Lake Wyaralong Sculpture Park, a great vantage point for the surrounding views.
From here, the path weaves around ten sculptures. These include: ‘The Humming Stone’ by Birgit Grapentin – an interactive stone that vibrates when you hum into the chamber – and the huge ‘Fishing for Humour’ by Silvio Apponyi, a very tall fishing rod.
Stop for a picnic or walk around the lake to make the most of the beautiful scenery, wildlife and wildflowers.
Location: Lake Wyaralong, Bromelton
Hours: From 6 am to 6 pm daily
Cost: Free
DAY TRIPS FROM KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT
While there is plenty to keep you occupied in the Kooralbyn and Beaudesert region, if you’re keen, you can take some great day trips from the area. It’s recommended you stay at least a few days in each place, but if you only have a day, then a day trip is possible.
Brisbane
If you’re looking for a laidback, clean, and vibrant day trip from Kooralbyn or Beaudesert, you’ll love visiting Brisbane. The lively capital of Queensland, it offers everything, from lush parklands and gardens to modern galleries and trendy waterfront dining.
There are so many attractions in Brisbane, no matter your tastes. If you’re seeking culture, visit the Queensland Museum, QAGOMA (The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art), and the National Maritime Museum.
For animal lovers, there is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, while thrill-seekers will love the bridge climb, rock climbing, and kayaking. To simply relax in a park on a sunny day, you can’t beat a stroll around Roma Street Parkland and the tranquil South Bank Parkland.
Don’t miss a walk along the iconic Brisbane riverside or a swim at the iconic Streets Beach.
Thanks to its year-round sunshine, Brisbane is the perfect destination at any time of the year.
Click here for our full guide on things to do in Brisbane.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, so it’s well worth combining it with your trip to Kooralbyn and Beaudesert.
The Scenic Rim offers sublime mountain scenery, but the Gold Coast is the best day trip if you want to combine it with picture-perfect white sand beaches. You can enjoy swimming, surfing, and sunbathing from the pristine Gold Coast coastline.
Once you’ve had your fill of the beaches, the Gold Coast has excellent shopping malls and a thriving local food scene. Many cafes specialise in fresh, healthy dishes made with local produce.
If you’re visiting as a family, the Gold Coast is all about the theme parks and you have so many to choose from. Younger kids will love splashing around at SeaWorld or meeting favourite characters at Movie World, while older kids will be thrilled by the rides at DreamWorld.
Click here for our full guide on things to do on the Gold Coast.
Mount Tamborine
Mount Tamborine is one of the best places near Kooralbyn for nature lovers. You can spend a full day exploring the natural beauty of the including seeing rare butterflies, crystal-clear waterfalls, lush rainforests and more.
Book a Mount Tamborine tour to make the most of your day trip; Queensland Day Tours and Bums on Seats both offer great itineraries.
Mount Tamborine is also a highly underrated wine region. Some of Queensland’s best boutique wineries are located in the area. You can discover these on a wine tour from Brisbane, which includes a gourmet lunch.
Click here for our full guide on things to do on Tamborine Mountain.
ACCOMMODATION IN KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT
While the townships may be small, there are a few options for accommodation. Beaudesert and Kooralbyn are only a 22-minute drive apart, so you can stay in either to explore the region.
If you love camping, Beaudesert is a great place to set up your tent, but if you prefer to let somebody else set things up for you, there are glamping options or even farm stays, perfect if you’re travelling with kids.
If you want our recommendation for a hotel, we’ve listed our top picks for luxury, family, and mid-range hotels below. We recommend booking through Booking.com, as they offer a wide range of accommodation, most with free cancellation, which is ideal for last-minute changes.
Best luxury hotel: Wander at The Overflow 1895
If you’re looking for something more special than the motels in Beaudesert, Wander at the Overflow is perfect! This Scenic Rim luxury accommodation is a 15-minute drive to Beaudesert or 30 minutes from Kooralbyn.
Located within the Overflow Estate 1895 winery, every secluded unit offers a terrace with fantastic mountain views. These units also feature a kitchenette with a fridge, a coffee machine, and a stovetop. The private bathroom has an outdoor stone bath or rain shower.
The property offers BBQ facilities and a firepit. In addition to enjoying the views, guests can arrange various outdoor activities nearby, such as walking tours, canoeing, hot-air ballooning, and fishing.
If you’d like to stargaze, get away from it all and feel at peace with nature, then you can’t find anything better than the stunning WanderPods at Wander at The Overflow 1895.
Click here for information or to book
Best family hotel: Clandulla Cottages & Farmstay
Located just a short drive from Beaudesert, Clandulla Cottages is the perfect family accommodation in the heart of the stunning Scenic Rim. It’s a great alternative to camping in Beaudesert, as everything you need is right here, but you still get to enjoy the great outdoors.
Clandulla Cottages offers a range of suites, with the largest able to accommodate up to 6 guests. This suite has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a kitchenette. Other facilities include a tennis court, pool table, free Wi-Fi, and a large garden area with mountain views, a playground, a fire pit and barbecue facilities.
However, it’s the farm stay itself that makes this getaway so special. The kids will love seeing the friendly farm animals at the farm stay, such as sheep, horses, and peacocks. Farmer Matt will only be too happy to help the kids feed the animals.
If you’re a family looking for accommodation near Beaudesert,, look no further than Clandulla Cottages & Farmstay.
Click here for information or to book
Best mid-range hotel: Kooralbyn Valley Resort
Right next to the heart of Kooralbyn town but still immersed in nature, The Kooralbyn Valley Resort offers the perfect blend of convenience (it’s just 2 minutes away from many local eateries) and luxury. It offers superb scenery and is more comfortable than the basic mid-range motels. Beaudesert is just a 22-minute drive away, too, so it’s in a great location.
From double and twin rooms with terrace and garden views to penthouse suites overlooking mountain scenery, every room option is stunning. Rooms feature a private bathroom, TV, coffee machine, air conditioning, and some suites have a spa bath. The resort is best suited to couples or two friends as rooms sleep two people.
Additional facilities include an outdoor pool, spa centre, restaurant, gift shop, and bowling alley.
If you’re looking for a Kooralbyn with stunning surroundings in a great location, then Kooralbyn Valley Resort is a great choice.
Click here for information or to book
ENJOY KOORALBYN AND BEAUDESERT!
Hopefully, this guide has given you lots of inspiration on things to do in Kooralbyn and Beaudesert.
If you’re planning a trip to Kooralbyn and Beaudesert, I highly recommend you check out our Scenic Rim guide (coming soon), which provides links to everything you need to know to plan your trip.
I’d also recommend you join our free Queensland Travel Guide Facebook community, where you can ask all your questions and find even more great trip suggestions.
If you’re heading to Kooralbyn and Beaudesert, you might also be interested in the following nearby destinations: