Tamborine Mountain, Queensland

Set in the hinterland an hour from Brisbane and the vibrant Gold Coast, Mount Tamborine promises an eclectic showcase of stunning scenery and plenty of things to do.

Tamborine Mountain, QLD

Spread out amongst a landscape of breathtaking rainforest and outdoor paradises, there is also a strong art and crafts scene, pretty villages to explore and many local markets and festivals to enjoy. Discover why the Tamborine Mountain has been affectionately labelled the ‘Green behind the Gold’.

The best things to do if you’re in the Tamborine Mountain

  • 1. Get Adventurous

    One of the best ways to explore Mount Tamborine and all it has to offer is to hit the skies or get your adrenalin pumping. There are plenty of walking tracks to enjoy, but if you want something a little more action-packed, there are plenty of opportunities to take to the sky in a hot air balloon or get to know the scenery from a 4WD. A hidden gem of Mount Tamborine is the Palm Grove section found in the Tamborine National Park. This area is populated with the piccabeen palm which covers sky above with a brilliantly green canopy. There are two walks you can throughout this section, the Palm Grove Circuit is 2.7 kilometres long and takes around an hour to complete and the Jenyns Circuit, which includes more of the eucalypst forest surrounding the palms, is a 4.8-kilometre circuit which takes around an hour and a half to complete.

  • 2. Art Galleries and Antiques

    The art scene in Mount Tamborine is incredibly colourful. Throughout the landscape, there are numerous locally-run art galleries and antique shops that showcase local talent and provide the perfect place to pick up any presents or souvenirs you want to take home with you.

  • 3. Breweries

    Like with art galleries, there are plenty of breweries in the Mount Tamborine region, too, giving you the perfect chance to soak up some of the unique local flavours and learn more about how some of the finest craft beers in Australia are made.

  • 4. Restaurants and Cafes

    If you’re feeling peckish, Mount Tamborine has you covered. Throughout the region, you’ll find plenty of unique restaurants and cafes serving a whole range of breakfasts, lunch, and dinners, including lots of Australian fare and international dishes from all over the world. One of the most popular restaurant spots in Tamborine Mountain is three little pigs, a bar and bistro, they classify themselves as a fine dining establishment in a cosy and rustic environment. Cedar Creek Estate offers an enchanting restaurant perfect for a special occasion dinner or a casual lunch. There are a few areas you choose from in terms of seating such as the garden environment of the Gazebo and Veranda or indoors in the Hamblin Room where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Mount Tamborine.

  • 5. Festivals and Events

    Mount Tamborine is a hive of local activity, and every year there are numerous events and festivals that take place throughout the stunning scenery. As well as produce fares filled with local goodies, there are festivals like the Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival that celebrates the lifestyle of the mountains. The festival is centred around scarecrows and the locals get involved by making a scarecrow and placing it in front of their home or business, creating the annual ‘Spot the Scarecrow Discovery Trail’. A festival centred more towards an older crowd is the Springtime on the Mountain festival. Around 5 exclusive gardens, volunteers of the Tamborine Mountain Garden Club will be holding a sausage sizzle and have plants up for sale.

  • 6. Gallery Walk Shopping

    For shopaholics, Gallery Walk is the perfect place to head. This stretch of road is flanked by tonnes of boutique shops and stores that you can spend an afternoon browsing at your own speed. This strip is a shopping lover’s paradise with over 70 shops with arts, crafts, jewellery and more to explore. If you’re feeling peckish along the way, why not pop into Granny Macs Fudge Store or enjoy some delicious seafood at George’s Paragon.

  • 7. Gardens and Nurseries

    Because of its incredibly beautiful natural scenery, Mount Tamborine is alive with plant life and unique species of flora. At the 27 acres Tamborine Mountain Botanical Gardens, let your senses be tempted as you walk amongst the colourful and fragrant flora. There’s a Japanese garden if you’re after a spot of tranquillity and a rainforest walk to connect yourself with nature. If you’re feeling inspired to cultivate your own garden at home, head to the Tamborine Mountain Nursery where you can pick out your very own colourful plant to commemorate your time up in the Tamborine Mountain region!

  • 8. Tamborine Mountain Distillery

    This award-winning has been producing liqueurs and spirits for over 25 years, using uniquely Australian flavour profiles, herbs and spices to place themselves a step above traditional distilleries. As the third oldest distillery in Queensland, you can visit their museum to see the process of distilling from start to finish, and even try some of their creations in a purpose-built tasting room. Some stand out favourites include the herbal liqueurs and spiced gold rum.

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