Located about an hour's drive South of Queensland's capital, Brisbane and an hour inland from the Gold Coast is a region known as the Scenic Rim. Adventurer, naturalist and tourism pioneer, Arthur Groom, first coined the phrase Scenic Rim to describe the semi-circle chain of mountains that wraps around the valleys in this vast region. The region covers 4254sq km and encompasses six national parks.
The imposing rim of mountains dates back millions of years when many were active volcanoes. The rich soil of the region once supported vast rainforests, which have now to a great extent been replaced by agriculture. It is usually in the most inaccessible places that the last pockets of rainforest still stand.
But it was not all rainforest and there was a mix of dry eucalypt forests also. There was always an interplay between the dry forests and rainforests depending upon the climate cycles. Wetter times would see the rainforest encroach upon the dry forest, while dry periods along with bushfires would push the rainforest back.
The region is home to many relic species that survived from the Gondwanaland break up. The last stands of a living fossil known as the Antarctic Beech can be found here.
These trees can be found at the Best of All Lookouts which perches on the precipice of the remaining rim of the once mighty Tweed Volcano. Now you know why the region is called The Scenic Rim, as it sits on the rim of this former massive volcano. It was originally over 100 kilometres (62 mi) in diameter and 2000m high, and dates from the Early Miocene.
In the 23 million years since the volcano was active, erosion has been extensive, forming a large erosion caldera around the volcanic plug of Mount Warning (Bundjalung: Wollumbin). Its erosion caldera is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The caldera is still clearly visible on satellite images today.
The caldera of the volcano generates its own micro climate trapping large amounts of rain which supports the forests in it's valleys and ridges. As a consequence the region has many waterfalls spilling over the hard volcanic rock.
Natural Arch is a popular spot with locals as it is hidden away in the hills from the tourists. Here the action of endless aeons of water and stones have carved out a cave under the falls, and hole through the roof. If you visit the cave at night, it comes alive with glow worms.
This region is home for many species of animals.
There are many many hikes, lookouts, waterfalls to visit. The region also has numerous guest houses and some camping options. But being so close to major population centres, they're easily accessible with motorized transport.
