Fifteen years ago, Scenic Rim Eat Local Month began as a week-long event designed to showcase the farmers of the Scenic Rim and the produce they bring to the region.
Today, it has grown into a month-long celebration of food, farming and adventure, drawing visitors from across Queensland and beyond.
Originally launched in 2011 with just 25 events and an audience of around 900 people, the event has steadily expanded into one of Australia’s leading paddock-to-plate food festivals.
The 2026 program is the largest to date, featuring more than 150 events that highlight the region’s growers, makers and chefs.
From long lunches and tastings to farm tours and workshops, the event continues to connect people with the land and the stories behind their food.
Among the family-friendly experiences this year is Little Farmers Day Out at Clandulla Cottages and Farmstay, offering a hands-on introduction to life on the land.
The event invites families to explore the property, meet farm animals, and learn about sustainable practices, before finishing with a tasting of locally produced food.
Owner Nambok Howard said the experience was designed to showcase the Scenic Rim’s authentic rural lifestyle.
“For us, it is about showing the local authenticity of the region, which is known for its agriculture, countryside, beautiful scenery and strong sense of community, and showcasing that through what we offer as a business,” she said.
Nambok said the event aimed to give families, particularly those from urban areas, a better understanding of where their food comes from.
“It’s a family-friendly experience that includes a farm tour as well as a tour of our vegetable and flower gardens, and we talk about how people can live sustainably and grow and produce from their land, whether it is a small backyard or a larger property,” she said.
“We will also be doing Scenic Rim tasting plates to showcase local produce such as yoghurt, honey and preserves, showing visitors that these products can be purchased locally and supporting other small businesses in the region.”
Nambok said the event also provided an opportunity to promote the Scenic Rim to visitors who may not realise how close it is.
“It is about letting people from Brisbane and the Gold Coast understand that these kinds of authentic experiences are right in their backyard and they do not have to travel far to feel like they are somewhere completely different,” she said.
The post Plating up 15 years of flavour appeared first on The Canungra Times.