Scenic Rim Eat Local Month celebrates 15 years of paddock-to-plate excellence
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month 2026 celebrates 15 flavour filled years this June, marking a major milestone for Queensland’s premier paddock to plate food and farming festival.
What began in 2011 as a small local initiative has grown into a nationally recognised food tourism event.
In 2025, the festival was crowned Gold Award winner for Excellence in Food Tourism at the Queensland Tourism Awards and continues to be a powerful driver of regional visitation and economic growth.
Biggest program ever: 153 events across June 2026
The 2026 program is the largest in the festival’s history, delivering 153 events, including 51 new experiences, hosted by the farmers, makers, chefs and producers who define the Scenic Rim’s renowned food bowl.
Visitors can enjoy:
- 42 on-farm experiences
- 40 long lunches and dinners
- 48 family friendly events
- 62 hands-on workshops and tastings.The program showcases more than 20 local producers, including artisan cheesemakers, distillers, breweries, vineyards and organic growers, offering authentic opportunities to connect directly with where food is grown and made.
Award-winning food tourism with proven economic impact
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said Scenic Rim Eat Local Month demonstrates the economic and cultural value of food tourism, contributing more than $2.2 million to the Queensland economy in the past year alone.
New 2026 highlights
New experiences for 2026 include:
- Farm picnics with miniature Highland cattle
- Luxe paddock dining at Fox Hill Grove
- Ride and graze cycling trails on Tamborine Mountain
- Creative cocktail and baking workshops
- Immersive farm to table dining experiences.
Winter harvest festival and iconic carrot celebrations
The month culminates with the Winter Harvest Festival in Kalbar from June 26–28, featuring market stalls, live entertainment and the crowd favourite tractor pull.
As Australia’s carrot growing capital, the Scenic Rim also welcomes back Kalfresh Carrot Day and the legendary Moffatt’s Carrot Ice Cream, a must try festival favourite.
Connecting communities to food, farming and place
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Tom Sharp said Eat Local Month connects people of all ages and backgrounds with the region’s natural environment and agricultural heritage.
“People increasingly want to connect with where their food comes from and buy direct from producers in our region,” Cr Sharp said.
“They experience not only the quality of the produce, but also the farmers’ lifestyle, dedication and story behind the food. From its modest beginnings, Eat Local Month has boosted our rural economy, created jobs and increased appreciation for the people who put food on our tables.”
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