The Scenic Rim’s local food movement has won the region a silver award for Excellence in Food Tourism at the 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards.
It reaffirmed the region’s reputation as a leading destination for food tourism, underpinned by local farmers who have diversified into agritourism.
A key driver of the region’s food tourism success has been Scenic Rim Eat Local Week, which has grown from a small food festival in 2012 to become an annual 10-day celebration of locally produced food and wine, with more than 100 events.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week attracts 40,000 visitors and contributes about $2 million to the local economy.
It culminates in the signature Winter Harvest Festival at Aratula and features more than 60 local producers.
The Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail has further bolstered the region’s foodie reputation.
The collaborative quarterly event, delivered by member-based local tourism organisation Destination Scenic Rim, attracts thousands of visitors to the region as local producers and makers throw open their gates for people to shop directly from the source.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the Queensland Tourism Awards accolade recognised the strong partnership between Council and local tourism operators.
“The region is home to many generational farming families as well as a host of passionate entrepreneurs who have chosen the Scenic Rim to pursue their enthusiasm for food tourism and agritourism,” he said.
