Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

The Ships Stern walk circuit in Lamington National Park meanders through rainforest and along the cedar-fringed Nixon Creek before climbing to the Ships Stern Range. Here you’ll be rewarded with knock-out views of the Numinbah and Kurraragin Valleys and the unmistakable rhyolite Egg Rock. At 20 kilometres it's no Sunday stroll, but it’s an achievable day-long trek for a novice. For the less athletic, the mountain drive up to O’Reilly’s passes a number of look-outs which all have picture-perfect views.

Arts and culture

Boonah is the artistic heart of the Scenic Rim and the town's main street is dotted with delightful galleries displaying works by local artists. We recommend the ArtandSoul Gallery (corner of Walter Street and Yeates Avenue; www.artandsoulgallery.com.au), which sells a mix of paintings, photography and ceramics, and sports a handy café. There's also a selection of tempting hand-made jewellery by makers including Robin Dunn and Felicity Smith. The perfect souvenir, it’s wearable art that won’t blow-out your luggage allowance or break on the way home. Look out for open-studio events in the region, too, which allow you to meet designer-makers face-to-face and snap up their wares. See the experience section of wwww.visitscenicrim.com.au for details.

Something for nothing

The Tree Top Walk at O’Reilly’s (www.oreillys.com.au/day-tours) gives you a lofty overview of the forest canopy, allowing you to peak down at flowering orchids and ferns below. Made up of nine suspension bridges positioned between 15 and 30 meters off the forest floor, the Tree Top Walk was the first of its kind in Australia and is still a unique and exhilarating experience, though perhaps not for those who prefer to keep their feet on firm ground (http://www.oreillys.com.au/day-tours/tree-top-walk).

Shopping

The Scenic Rim has plenty of wineries to tempt you with shiraz and chardonnay but be sure to save room in your bad for some spirits from the celebrated Tamborine Mountain Distillery (http://www.tamborinemountaindistillery.com). Their Australian Herbal Liqueur won gold at the World Spirit Awards but our pick is the deliciously decadent Choc n Chilli Liqueur. The nearby Mount Tamborine Brewery has a selection of traditionally brewed boutique beers on offer that are worth sampling (http://www.mtbeer.com). Plus the brewery is also home to the award-winning Witches Chase Cheese Company, just to ensure your take-homes aren’t entirely alcoholic (http://www.witcheschasecheese.com.au).

Daytripper

For a city culture hit, Brisbane is only an hour and a half's drive away. Start at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA; www.qag.qld.gov.au), Australia’s largest modern art gallery, focusing on 20th-century works onwards including indigenous, Pacific Island and international creations.

Perfect picnic

Tamborine Mountain is heaven for pristine picnic spots. Grab some triple-cream brie and duck liver paté from the Witches Chase Cheese Company (www.witcheschasecheese.com.au), then stick with the spooky theme by making for Witches Falls Park on the north side of Mt Tamborine. Here you’ll find plenty of soft grass to throw down a blanket and a little look-out for taking in the scene..

Walks

With eight National Parks in the region there's no shortage of trails to please avid trekkers. Coomera Circuit is an 18-kilometre walk that starts at the Binna Burra Tea House (where you can grab a cuppa before heading off) and takes in dense rainforest, creeks and waterfalls before tracking along the view-blessed McPherson Range. Alternatively, the climb to the top of Mt French is manageable and there are plenty of vantage points overlooking Boonah along the way for rest stops.

Children

The idea of a holiday in wine country can be a daunting prospect for younger Smiths, but there's plenty on offer to amuse juniors. At O’Reilly’s Birds of Prey and Wildlife Encounter shows (www.oreillys.com.au/experiences) kiddies can watch the aerial acrobatics of eagles, owls and falcons and get up close to snappy crocodiles and the cute resident spotted-tailed Quolls. Once the show wraps up, bird feeding is a popular distraction, or co-ordinated older kids can try Australia’s first Segway Safari Tour.

Activities

If walking isn’t enough to counterbalance all those consumed calories a range of other activities from horse riding and abseiling to boating, jet skiing, climbing and even skydiving will appeal to the adventurous.

And

A 10-minute drive from Boonah you'll find the Destiny Boonah Donkey Farm (701 Boonah Rathdowney Road), home to a herd of rescued asses. Incredibly docile and inquisitive, many were saved from lives of neglect so bring some TLC, kids and carrots.