A burst of flavoursome experiences opens Eat Local Month in the Scenic Rim

World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforests and stunning mountain scapes will provide the backdrop for the first in a series of flavour-filled weekends during Scenic Rim Eat Local Month in June.

The Scenic Rim's annual month-long celebration of its farmers, growers, producers, artisans, chefs and quality food and beverages kicks off on the weekend of 30 May to 1 June at Tamborine Mountain, Canungra and Beechmont.

Across the Scenic Rim, Eat Local Month features long lunches, degustations and dinners, workshops and masterclasses and opportunities to meet the producers behind the region's authentic flavours, culminating in the Winter Harvest Festival to be held in the picturesque setting of Kalbar.

The first flavour-focused weekend of Eat Local Month provides a taste of what is in store for families and foodies with a full menu of activities and events to choose from in carefully curated itineraries based around the east, west and centre of the region.

The flavour adventure commences on Friday 30 May with a behind the scenes masterclass at Boxer Brewing Co, where budding brewers will discover the art of beer-making from head brewer Abby Heslop. In the evening, a short drive into the hinterland offers an authentic Italian dining experience at Sarabah Estate Vineyard.

Saturday 31 May delivers two unique dining experiences in the high country. There's the Foraged, Fired and Farmed Lunch at Binna Burra Lodge and one for the meat lovers at Country Mile Escape. 

An all-day adventure awaits in and around Tamborine Mountain. Start the morning discovering the secrets of sustainable and ‘beyond organic’ farming at Forgotten Sound Farm.

Then head up the mountain for the Village Harvest celebration featuring expert talks, demonstrations and workshops, and a marketplace focused on sustainable living. Just around the corner at The Loborn Tasting Bar, learn the craft of amaro, blending local botanicals with age-old Italian traditions.

As the sun goes down on this extraordinary flavour-filled day, gather with family and friends at Spirit of the Mountain at Cauldron Distillery for an afternoon of song, First Nations storytelling and spirit.

Sunday 1 June begins with breakfast at the Picnic Real Food Bar at Tamborine Mountain and the North Stores Eat Local Produce and Makers Market offering the freshest local and seasonal produce.

Serving up Tacos and Tipples, Witches Falls Winery will offer a relaxed afternoon of live music, wine beer and cider with mouth-watering tacos prepared by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Josue Lopez.

At the award-winning Tamborine Mountain Distillery, the citrus season will be celebrated with an afternoon of citrus Spritz and hyper-local winter harvest grazing platters. For those looking to satisfy their tastebuds with a spread of sweet and savoury treats, there’s also High Tea and Cocktails at Pethers Rainforest Retreat in the lush rainforest.

At O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards, The Longest Lunch will be served overlooking Canungra Creek while at Beechmont Estate, chef duo Alex and Chris Norman will prepare a feast over flames.

Across the region's east throughout Eat Local Month, wine lovers can explore the cellar doors of Witches Falls Winery, Sarabah Estate Vineyard, Albert River Wines and O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyard, which is also home to Mountview Alpaca Farm, a firm family favourite on the Scenic Rim trail.

As well as fine food, Eat Local Month provides lashings of family-friendly fun.

Leading into the school holidays, there's the evening Winter Solstice Campfire Cookout on Saturday 21 June and the Campfire Cookout and Nature Play events on 24 and 25 June with Birdwings Forest School at Frost Farm, Guanaba, with family-friendly pricings at just $23 per person and free admission for children under the age of two.

On the final weekend, the popular Winter Harvest Festival, the signature event and finale of Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, will be again held in and around the stunning village of Kalbar as part of a full weekend of harvest activities across three days from 27 - 29 June.

Veggie picking, paddock walks with the farmer, lunches set on cattle farms and under 100-year-old jacaranda trees and a celebration of pickling and preserving will provide a fitting finale to the month-long celebration

Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said: "Eat Local Month provides the opportunity for our local community, visitors and people from all ages and backgrounds to enjoy an authentic paddock-to-plate experience and to renew their connection with our natural environment and agricultural production".

"With more than 100 events on offer, there is a variety of options for everyone and for every taste and budget. Eat Local Month is Australia's most authentic food and farming experience and a wonderful time of year to enjoy all our region has to offer with family and friends."

Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is proudly presented by Scenic Rim Regional Council, with support from major partners Moffatt Fresh Produce and Beaumoor, and supporting partners Kalfresh Vegetables, Urban Utilities, Community Bank Kalbar and District, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Allclass Kubota, Queensland Hire and 612 ABC Radio Brisbane.

The event is also supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland's Destination Events Program.  

For further information on Scenic Rim Eat Local Month go to eatlocalmonth.com.au