Lonely Planet names QLD’s Scenic Rim as top travel destination for 2022
A quiet rural corner of the Sunshine State has been named one of the world’s hottest travel destinations for 2022.
A quiet and largely rural corner of Queensland has been named one of the world’s hottest destinations for 2022 by publishing giant Lonely Planet.
Queensland’s Scenic Rim, about an hour’s drive southwest of Brisbane, was ranked eighth in the publishing giant’s “Best in Travel” regions that globe trekkers should put on their bucket list for next year.
It was the only Australian destination to make it into the annual top 10 lists categorised by country, city and region.
Taking out the No 1 regional spot was the wild Westfjords peninsula in Iceland, while at No 10 was Burgundy, France. Other top picks were West Virginia in the US (No 2), the ethnic-minority region of Xishuangbanna in China’s Yunnan province (No 3), Chile’s Atacama Desert (No 7) and Vancouver Island in Canada (No 9).
The Scenic Rim stretches west from the Gold Coast hinterland and encompasses ancient rainforest, rolling farmland, and long rugged stretches of the Great Diving Range including Mount Barney, Tamborine Mountain and Lamington National Park.
The main towns are Beaudesert and Boonah, with a combined population of less than 10,000.
Among the region’s accommodation options are historic Binna Burra Lodge, which is back on its feet after being badly damaged in the 2019-20 bushfires, the luxury Spicers Hidden Vale retreat, and wagyu beef and polo farm Hazelwood Estate.
The Scenic Rim has developed a reputation as a food and wine destination since it was designated a local government area in 2008. It is home to multiple vineyards, craft breweries and distilleries plus olive farms, cheese producers and other small-scale providores – even a camel farm.
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen said locals, whom he described as welcoming and forward-thinking, were thrilled their region had been recognised.
“(They) have worked to create visitor experiences that are unique, authentic, educational and sustainable, and have persisted during even the most tumultuous and challenging times,” he said.
“As the eyes of the world look to our region, I applaud the people who have created – and keep creating – these experiences.”
Lonely Planet’s Chris Zeiher said of the Scenic Rim: “It’s such an untouched and diverse eco-based Australian destination. From the amazing food and wine to the incredible rainforest and bush walks and memorable places to stay, this is an unexpected pocket of Australia that has it all.”
The Lonely Planet lists are chosen by travel experts from a long list nominated by staff, writers and bloggers.
Top 10 Regions
1. Westfjords, Iceland
2. West Virginia, USA
3. Xishuangbanna, China
4. Kent’s Heritage Coast, Britain
5. Puerto Rico
6. Shikoku, Japan
7. Atacama Desert, Chile
8. The Scenic Rim, Australia
9. Vancouver Island, Canada
10. Burgundy, France
Top 10 Cities
1. Auckland, New Zealand
2. Taipei, Taiwan
3. Freiburg, Germany
4. Atlanta, USA
5. Lagos, Nigeria
6. Nicosia/Lefkosia,Cyprus
7. Dublin, Ireland
8. Merida, Mexico
9. Florence, Italy
10. Gyeongju, South Korea
Top 10 Countries
1. Cook Islands
2. Norway
3. Mauritius
4. Belize
5. Slovenia
6. Anguilla
7. Oman
8. Nepal
9. Malawi
10. Egypt