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 farm tours and workshops to long lunches and tastings, the event continues to connect people with the land and the stories behind their food.
Among the new experiences this year is the Ride, Gather and Graze Picnic Trail on Tamborine Mountain, hosted by Peddly Picnics.
The self-guided ride invites participants to follow a mapped trail, collecting locally produced food and drinks along the way before finishing with a picnic at a location of their choice.
Owner Joolz Bruhn said the event marked her first involvement in Eat Local Month and was inspired by a desire to showcase local produce in an interactive way.
“This is the first time we have been involved and we are holding a Ride, Gather and Graze Picnic Trail event where people can cycle around the mountain with a designated trail map to pick up locally produced food and drinks along the way and then finish with a picnic,” she said.
Joolz said the concept was developed with a strong focus on supporting local producers.
“I came up with the idea last year and thought it would be a great fit for Eat Local Month, tailoring it so everything is made with locally produced food and beverages,” she said.
“As a business our core values revolve around supporting local where we can, and even in our shop we try to stock locally made produce, so to be able to showcase exclusively locally produced food in one package is really important.”
She said the Scenic Rim, particularly Tamborine Mountain, offered an abundance of high-quality produce.
“We are spoiled for choice with a range of beautiful locally produced goods, and this is a way for people to get out and explore it, giving them a small taste of what is available across the region,” she said.
For a full list of events and to purchase tickets, visit the Eat Local Month website.
