Holiday houses in Canungra

Surrounded by a wealth of swimming holes, national parks, rainforests, and waterfalls, Canungra is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Scenic Rim region of Queensland. An entrance to the historic Gondwana Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just a short drive from the town centre.

Thanks to the area’s biodiversity, you’ll have opportunities to see up to 160 different species of subtropical birds and spotted-tailed quolls. Canungra and its surroundings are also home to a thriving wine region, where you can tour the vineyards and enjoy a sip of local Shiraz amid lush foliage. For insight into local life, the Canungra Village Markets host more than 100 stallholders selling handmade arts and crafts, locally-grown produce, and plants — all to the soundtrack of live music. Between the outdoor activities and gastronomy scene, Canungra has plenty to offer visitors looking for either adventure or downtime.

Canungra accommodations range from peaceful cottages to unique stays in nature, and the temperate climate makes it a great destination all year round. Winter in Canungra has comfortable temperatures ideal for outdoor activities, such as a day trip south to hike through the lush Lamington National Park, home to sections of the Gondwana Rainforest. Summer is the rainiest and hottest time of year, but the precipitation only adds to the incredible foliage in Canungra. The weather is cool and comfortable in autumn, a great time to plan a scenic drive through the outskirts of Canungra toward nearby wineries to see the leaves change colors. Spring is quite warm and sunny, so this is an ideal time for hiking, kayaking, or other outdoor adventures.

Tamborine National Park

There are heaps of activities to choose from at Tamborine National Park, just north of Canungra. Extensive hiking trails in The Knoll section of the park are surrounded by the tall, twisted trunks of strangler fig trees, creating a covered canopy as you trek through the subtropical grounds. The Knoll section also houses some of Australia’s native flower trees, adding a pop of colour to the varying shades of green forest. After trekking through The Knoll’s walking trails, the picnic area offers a scenic place to recuperate and feast.

Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park covers more than 21,000 hectares of dense forest, including some of the most extensive parts of the Gondwana Rainforest. The 10-kilometre Box Forest Circuit trailhead will lead you through some of the park’s rainforest, where you can see the rare and ancient Antarctic beech trees that are more than 1,000 years old. You will also come across a large section of Brush Box trees that lead to the double waterfall, Tullerigumai Falls.

Wine tasting

The Scenic Rim area encompassing Canungra is home to dozens of vineyards with manicured grounds and views of the surrounding mountains. Canungra has a few local vineyards to choose from, and you can arrange a private shuttle to a winery outside of Canungra as well. This region is relatively new at wine production compared to other parts of the country, but is known for its Shiraz and Chardonnay.