Arts in the Olives
After a five-year hiatus, the much-loved Arts in the Olives event is returning on Mother’s Day weekend at Olive View Estate. Held over two days, attendees can get their creative juices flowing with a bounty of art workshops and demonstrations. When you’re not letting the fresh air inspire your creativity, you’ll be able to stroll through artisan stalls, get your boogie on to some live music, take a peep at the art gallery and chow down on some nourishing nosh from the food trucks. Why not make a weekend of it and camp the night? Not only will this make it easier to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature, but you will also be able to enjoy the Saturday night sunset over the ranges. Workshops are filling quickly, so take a browse at the program and register for any that spark your imagination before spots run out.
When: Sunday May 7, 9:00 am until late
Price: $50 half day, $100 full day
Yoga in the Orchard
Say namaste to four hours of yogi bliss amidst the Tuscan-inspired orchards on Tamborine Mountain. Yoga in the Orchard is a nourishing chance to foster a strong connection to country while being led through a deeply restorative practice. The day will be conducted by one of the Gold Coast’s most respected yogis, Michelle Cassidy, from local studio Essence of Living. The morning will begin with an intention-setting yoga flow in the avocado orchards, followed by sound healing, soft acoustic music and mindfulness practices. All of this will, of course, be topped off with a delicious vegan grazing brunch, fresh smoothie bar and protein-filled snacks.
When: Saturday May 14, 7:00–11:00 am
Price: $80
Backpacking with Alpacas
A picnic lunch? Alpaca my bags! Have you ever been on a hike and thought, ‘wow, this whole experience would be drastically improved if only I had a fluffy four-legged friend by my side?’. Us too, which is why we are absolutely titillated at the thought of a 2.5 hour guided walk with an alpaca. These furry balls of cuteness will be the ideal hiking buddy, gladly accepting any pats and mid-walk cuddles along the way. The walk will begin at Mountview Alpaca Farm in the Canungra Valley and finish with a picnic lunch near the idyllic Canungra Creek. You’re welcome to bring your food or pre-purchase a gourmet picnic hamper filled with delicious hiking snacks. If this sounds like your kind of thing, contact the Mountview Farm team to reserve your picnic and ‘paca today!
When: Saturday May 14 and 28
Price: $129 for two people
The Escape Raid
Fire up your competitive spirit with Raid Adventures, Queensland’s premier adventure racing series. You and up to four of your mates can participate in hiking, kayaking and mountain biking as you navigate a wilderness course with nothing but a map, compass and a good attitude. Escape in the Scenic Rim is hosting three races – a six or three-hour trek rogain, a three-hour kayak rogain and a 3-hour mountain bike rogain. Compete in one or all of them with the goal of collecting as many checkpoints as possible in the set time. Depending on your ticket package, you can also choose to stay for dinner and a campfire on Saturday before spending the night in a tent ready for an early start on Sunday morning. This event is suitable for participants of all levels – the only requirements are a knack for navigation and a love of adventure.
When: May 28–29
Price: from $80
The Lost World Trail Festival
Like something out of Jurassic Park, the Lost World is a small but mighty pocket of the Scenic Rim, fast becoming a hotspot for trail running events. The runners’ oasis is nestled at the foothills of the World Heritage Listed Lamington National Park, where a cauldron of magnificent mountains envelops the valley. The Trail Festival comprises of three different events – the Lost and Found 7-km trail run, Lost for Words 14-km trail run and Lost the Plot 20-km trail run. Each course will take you across a combination of roads, smooth trails, rocky terrain, hills, bridges and creek crossings, which means you’ll have plenty of scenic spots to stop and catch your breath. Registrations for the events close on Wednesday May 25, so grab your ticket and start training for this incredibly scenic challenge today.
When: Sunday May 29, 6:30 am to 12:00 pm
Price: $47–$70
Now, we need to remind you that these are a mere drop in the ocean of events being held during Escape in the Scenic Rim. Those looking to embark on a truly unforgettable adventure can scope out the complete program to find something up their alley.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Scenic Rim Regional Council.
