A local’s guide to Beaudesert
UQ alumni live all around the world, and they’re always willing to open their doors and share a little local knowledge. Contact reached out to Kate Avery (Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts ’97) for an insider’s guide to Beaudesert in the beautiful Scenic Rim ahead of our UQ Regional Roadshow visit in March.
Avery is a Legal Practitioner, Director at Kare Lawyers and a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Personal Injuries Law. She grew up in Beaudesert, attending Beaudesert State School and Beaudesert State High School, and has an enduring love for this community and the surrounding countryside.
Inspired by her regional upbringing, Avery has stepped forward as an ambassador for The Queensland Commitment – helping to share UQ's vision of advancing equity in education and delivering transformative change for our state at the grassroots level.
Kate Avery
UQ alumni live all around the world, and they’re always willing to open their doors and share a little local knowledge.
Contact reached out to Kate Avery (Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts ’97) for an insider’s guide to Beaudesert in the beautiful Scenic Rim ahead of our UQ Regional Roadshow visit in March.
Avery is a Legal Practitioner, Director at Kare Lawyers and a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Personal Injuries Law. She grew up in Beaudesert, attending Beaudesert State School and Beaudesert State High School, and has an enduring love for this community and the surrounding countryside.
Kate Avery
There are a number of lovely cafés in Beaudesert. Although I am not a coffee drinker, my husband is a connoisseur and is thrilled that coffee culture has developed and evolved in town. Bean To is a favourite with him and I love their collection of homemade treats and local handcrafts. It’s right in the main part of town behind the war memorial so you can’t miss it.
For lunch, my personal favourite is VK Everydays. It has had a few owners over the years, but it has consistently had lovely food. In fact, the previous owners catered for our wedding in 1998.
There are an ever-growing number of farm gate eateries opening and it’s worth checking them out if you feel like venturing a little further afield. Eat Local Month has encouraged even those of us who are familiar with the area to truly appreciate what is grown locally.
I have many car-loving friends who really love the Demolition Derby at the Beaudesert Show every September. I’m not a motor sports enthusiast, but my after more than 40 years of wondering what the fuss is about, I have come to appreciate this annual highlight. There are people who decorate old, barely operational cars all year to see which one lasts the longest after ramming into each other. It is worth watching for the creativity in the decorations, the commentary and the sheer joy of the drivers and the crowd.
I also personally love the local country dances. Tamrookum is my favourite. The hall has been recently renovated and hosts live music. I know that country dancing is not for everyone but, if you love to dance, it is an experience not to be missed. The local dancers are so welcoming of beginners and will take you through the dance steps if you have never done them before.
Lake Wyaralong is worth a visit for the sculpture park and kayaking. Nindooinbah Dam walking track also takes in one of the most scenic areas of the region and is very close to town.
For picnic spots – there are too many to list! Jubilee Park is fantastic within town, especially if you have kids. I have so many happy memories of barbecues and break-up parties in that park. It is enormous and has a wonderful selection of playground equipment. It’s also worthwhile checking out the picnic spots out of town. Darlington and Lost World have long been my favourites for rock hopping in the creeks and small nature walks around the area.
Images: p a w e l via Adobe Stock.
Musical theatre is to Beaudesert what the circus is to Albury/Wodonga, a unique performance art offering that draws people to the town. Beaudesert Amateur Musical Society (BAMS Theatre Inc.) puts on regular performances – usually musicals but also pantomimes and family-friendly choir performances, particularly for ANZAC Day and Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, a dedicated crew of yarn bombers give the town a unique and festive overhaul every Christmas.
But the true beauty of Beaudesert is the lovely community feeling. Although there are more people commuting from Beaudesert to work in Brisbane than when I grew up there, it has retained a country town feeling rather than that of an outer suburb. It helps that you can see the mountains and countryside of the beautiful Scenic Rim from all over town.
Images: Alexander via Adobe Stock.
Got some local tips to share with us, or need tips for your next destination? Tell us where we should go next.
There are a number of lovely cafés in Beaudesert. Although I am not a coffee drinker, my husband is a connoisseur and is thrilled that coffee culture has developed and evolved in town. Bean To is a favourite with him and I love their collection of homemade treats and local handcrafts. It’s right in the main part of town behind the war memorial so you can’t miss it.
Image: Bean To Beaudesert via Facebook page.
Image: Bean To Beaudesert via Facebook page.
For lunch, my personal favourite is VK Everydays. It has had a few owners over the years, but it has consistently had lovely food. In fact, the previous owners catered for our wedding in 1998.
There are an ever-growing number of farm gate eateries opening and it’s worth checking them out if you feel like venturing a little further afield. Eat Local Month has encouraged even those of us who are familiar with the area to truly appreciate what is grown locally.
I have many car-loving friends who really love the Demolition Derby at the Beaudesert Show every September. I’m not a motor sports enthusiast, but my after more than 40 years of wondering what the fuss is about, I have come to appreciate this annual highlight. There are people who decorate old, barely operational cars all year to see which one lasts the longest after ramming into each other. It is worth watching for the creativity in the decorations, the commentary and the sheer joy of the drivers and the crowd.
I also personally love the local country dances. Tamrookum is my favourite. The hall has been recently renovated and hosts live music. I know that country dancing is not for everyone but, if you love to dance, it is an experience not to be missed. The local dancers are so welcoming of beginners and will take you through the dance steps if you have never done them before.
Lake Wyaralong is worth a visit for the sculpture park and kayaking. Nindooinbah Dam walking track also takes in one of the most scenic areas of the region and is very close to town.
Image: p a w e l via Adobe Stock.
Image: p a w e l via Adobe Stock.
For picnic spots – there are too many to list! Jubilee Park is fantastic within town, especially if you have kids. I have so many happy memories of barbecues and break-up parties in that park. It is enormous and has a wonderful selection of playground equipment. It’s also worthwhile checking out the picnic spots out of town. Darlington and Lost World have long been my favourites for rock hopping in the creeks and small nature walks around the area.
Image: p a w e l via Adobe Stock.
Image: p a w e l via Adobe Stock.
Musical theatre is to Beaudesert what the circus is to Albury/Wodonga, a unique performance art offering that draws people to the town. Beaudesert Amateur Musical Society (BAMS Theatre Inc.) puts on regular performances – usually musicals but also pantomimes and family-friendly choir performances, particularly for ANZAC Day and Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, a dedicated crew of yarn bombers give the town a unique and festive overhaul every Christmas.
Image: Alexander via Adobe Stock.
Image: Alexander via Adobe Stock.
But the true beauty of Beaudesert is the lovely community feeling. Although there are more people commuting from Beaudesert to work in Brisbane than when I grew up there, it has retained a country town feeling rather than that of an outer suburb. It helps that you can see the mountains and countryside of the beautiful Scenic Rim from all over town.
Image: Alexander via Adobe Stock.
Image: Alexander via Adobe Stock.
Got some local tips to share with us, or need tips for your next destination? Tell us where we should go next.
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