If sparkling waterfalls and rainforests with colourful plants and birds are your idea of a delightful destination, then you’ll love visiting the town of Tamborine Mountain. Combining the welcoming feel of a country town with the wonders of nature, Tamborine Mountain has the perfect combination of eco-tourism and comfort. In Tamborine Mountain, you get warm sunshine most of the year, quaint holiday homes and cottages, and a selection of fascinating attractions to enjoy.
Things to do:
1. Nature walks and parks: There are plenty of amazing places to explore, including Curtis Falls walk (an easy 1.5km walk with a viewing platform and beautiful waterfall), and walks of all difficulty levels in McDonald National Park, Palm Grove National Park, The Knoll National Park, and Witches Falls National Park.
2. Adventure Parc: Conquer your fear of heights by trying aerial acrobatics. Nearly 1000 towering trees are the home to 76 challenges of varying difficulty. Tethered for safety, you could find yourself participating in one of more than 30 different jungle games, involving everything from balancing on a three-cable monkey bridge to climbing a wall and riding a flying fox. Not for the faint-hearted!
3. Glow Worm Caves: These artificial caves are home to thousands of very real and magical glow worms! Attention to detail is obvious as this two-chamber cave has the stalactites, stalagmites, and water features you’d find in a real cave, but here, you can learn about the worms before moving into the darker chamber and seeing them light up the cave.
4. Winery Tours: Sample some local wines, and bring your favourites home to enjoy.
5. Skywalk: The Tamborine Rainforest Discovery Skywalk gives you the best chance to see life in the rainforest canopy. Up high, you’ll see the abundant wildlife in the form of colourful birds and insects. Stroll along the path, which is 30 metres above the valley, and experience the breathtaking wonders of the rainforest.
6. Tamborine Mountain Distillery: This award-winning distillery has taste buds tingling throughout the world thanks to their fine liqueurs (for example, Choc Hazelnut, Wild Peppermint and Apricot Brandy) as well as more common drinks like Vodka and Grappa. Visit for a tour and a taste!
When to go
Tamborine Mountain boasts year-round gorgeous weather.
How to get there
Less than an hour’s drive from Brisbane, and only a 15-minute drive from Surfers Paradise, Tamborine Mountain is easily accessible if you’re visiting or living in either of these areas. The town is already a popular weekend retreat for Brisbane residents, and with daily flights into Brisbane from around Australia, anyone can explore this beautiful place as part of a Queensland holiday. Driving is the best way to arrive in Tamborine Mountain, as you’ll want a car to explore the region.
Accommodation
One bed and breakfast that will make your jaw drop is Curtis Falls Mountain Retreat. This luxurious retreat offers a delightful guest lounge where you can chat and meet other visitors by the open log fire before heading to beautifully decorated rooms with comfortable beds. To help you feel completely relaxed, a hydrotherapy body massage and day spa therapy is available on site. A unique feature of this B&B is their “Teddies on Tamborine” shop, where teddy bear collectors and enthusiasts can admire the many collectables and artist bears, choosing special souvenirs of their visit.
Curtis Falls Mountain Retreat is just one of the many wonderful Tamborine Mountain accommodation options available. With so many cosy and luxurious bed and breakfasts, cottages and even treehouses you’ll be sure to find your dream break in this Queensland paradise.
Ideal length of visit
Tamborine Mountain is a peaceful place to spend a weekend and is ideal for romantic short breaks or getaways with the family. There are also some lovely places to stay and unwind for anyone who would like to relax in the beauty of the area for a week or longer.
Thanks to Curtis Falls Mountain Retreat for helping to "put their town on the map".
Further information
The Tamborine Mountain Visitor Information Centre is the best place to go for some friendly assistance when deciding where to eat or explore. You’ll find them at Doughty Park, Main Western Road, North Tamborine and can phone them on (07) 5545 3200
The also have a useful website.
About the Author
Kylie-Jane Degeling is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide, Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, she worked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a rotating basis.
Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveller, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex, and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, “I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy.” Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.
Find out more about Kylie at http://bit.ly/h_experts
