THE rolling green hills of the Scenic Rim will once again transform into Queensland’s ultimate food playground as Scenic Rim Eat Local Month returns from May 29 to June 30, bigger, bolder and more delicious than ever.
The month-long festival has grown from a humble regional showcase into what organisers proudly call Australia’s most authentic “paddock-to-plate” experience, bringing together farmers, chefs, winemakers and visitors in a shared celebration of local produce and rural life.
Across five flavour-packed weeks, more than 150 events will unfold across the region’s towns, farms and vineyards, offering something for everyone, from gourmet travellers to families looking for a hands-on country escape.
Visitors can expect everything from indulgent long lunches and chef-led dinners to farm tours, workshops and immersive food experiences.
There are more than 60 on-farm activities alone, giving guests the chance to meet the producers behind the produce and experience firsthand how food is grown, harvested and transformed.
The festival isn’t just about eating; it’s about understanding where food comes from and the people who make it possible. Families are firmly part of the picture, too.
With dozens of kid-friendly events, children can pick fresh produce, meet farm animals or decorate cupcakes with edible flowers, turning the region into an outdoor classroom as much as a culinary destination.
The festival culminates in the much-loved Winter Harvest Festival in Kalbar, a one-day celebration that captures the essence of Eat Local Month.
Here, visitors can wander through more than 60 stalls, sample seasonal produce, enjoy local wine and spirits, and soak up live music and country hospitality. It’s a vibrant, family-friendly finale, complete with cooking demonstrations, workshops and even the iconic tractor pull.
While the flavours are front and centre, Eat Local Month is equally a story of community and economic resilience. The Scenic Rim’s agriculture and tourism industries contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and the festival plays a key role in supporting local businesses and showcasing the region on a national stage.
What began in 2011 as a small week-long celebration has evolved into a signature Queensland event drawing thousands of visitors and cementing the Scenic Rim’s reputation as a premier food destination.
At its core, Scenic Rim Eat Local Month 2026 is an invitation: to slow down, to explore, and to savour the connection between land, people and plate.
Whether it’s a long lunch overlooking vineyards, a morning spent harvesting produce, or a family day out at the Winter Harvest Festival, the experience is as much about the journey as it is the food.
And in a region where the soil is rich and the stories are deeper still, every bite comes with a sense of place.
