Mount Tamborine – Why you should visit the Top Tourism Town!
Rolling fog, cool nights, lush rainforests, green valleys, picturesque views – all tucked away in the Gold Coast Hinterland, just half hour from the Coast and one hour from Brisbane. Mount Tamborine has been a long-time favourite destination for many, the call of the mountain being a special drawcard in the winter months for the roaring fireplaces, mulled wine, chilly nights and brisk mornings.
Is that reason enough of why you should visit Mount Tamborine?!
Take a moment to stop, breathe and take it all in! Rob Sowter Lookout (the take off spot for many hanggliders)
It feels like you have ascended into the heavens and is incredibly peaceful.
Watch the sun slowly slip away - totally dreamy!
Combine that with the delights of the mountain, fine wine, liqueurs, boutique gins, plus luxury foods such as handmade chocolates, fudge and specialty ice-creams, it is a gastronomic heaven! It is of no surprise that Mount Tamborine has been voted Top Tourism Town!
Take your pick of amazing experiences along Gallery walk - Mount Tamborine.
Spend a day, or two, or you could easily spend a week on the mountain. A popular place for weddings, romantic getaways, hiking, hot air balloon rides or simply head to the mountain to meet up with friends.
Find a spot at one of the many cafes along Gallery Walk and pull up stumps for a coffee or a brew.
Here’s DeeLuxe’s tips for you on what you shall love:
Find your way to the Falls
The surrounds of Mount Tamborine are home to the most stunning waterfalls and nature hikes. A visit to the mountain would be remiss if you didn’t take the opportunity to see at least one or two waterfalls. Choose an easy track and immerse yourself deep into the forest. The fresh air, the sounds of nature, the landscape – it is all stunning and your soul will thank you for it.
Some of my favourites:
From the quickest, easiest walks to the lengthier, higher grade walks
Curtis Falls (Grade 3 - 1.1km walk return)
Make sure to explore the area - the hidden rainforests have the most wonderful falls
Cedar Creek Falls (Grade 1 to the lookout | Grade 3 to the pools - 1.6 km to the rock pools - return)
You are so close to many waterfalls in the scenic rim - get out and explore!
Knolls Walking Track (Grade 4 - 2.6km circuit)
Find your way back to nature and wander - Knolls Walking Track is a treat! The air is SOOO fresh! The circuit will take you to Cameron Falls.
Afternoon tea with a dash of champagne
There is nothing more romantic and enticing as a fabulous high tea. I found a wonderful place called Tea and Niceties. The vintage inspired tearoom is the ultimate high tea experience. I brought my friend here to celebrate a milestone event and it was simply charming, elegant, and nostalgic with fine linen, dainty teacups, and lovely fresh food. I highly recommend a visit here. Even if not visiting the tearoom, head to the garden café for tea and scones. A picturesque part of Tamborine mountain.
Find tea rooms such as Tea and Niceties - a truly unique experience on Mount Tamborine
Tearoom open Thursday to Sunday (10am – 4pm)
Located at 32 Eagle Heights Road, Tamborine Mountain
Glide over the valleys of Mount Tamborine
A favourite part of the mountain is to watch the adventurous hang-gliders jumping off at Rob Sowter Lookout (hang glider lookout) and see them gliding gracefully across the lush green valleys below. Is a perfect place to watch the sunset, grab a picnic blanket, pick a spot and marvel at the brave gliders as they head off into the abyss. Hordes of people do flock here to catch a glimpse of the gliders and sunset, so keep that in mind as you try to get a park in the area. A beautiful way to end the day and is very relaxing.
Located on Main Western Road, Mount Tamborine
Grab yourself a spot on the grass at Rob Sowter lookout and watch the gliders take flight!
Superb Wines, Craft Beers, Gins and Liqueurs
Tamborine mountain is home to many local wineries, distilleries, and gin bars. They are all equally wonderful for all different reasons.
In case you were unaware - Tamborine is wine country! (affectionately called Tambo)
Some of my favourites to visit have been: (there are so many to choose from!!)
Mason Wines
Love the wines here! The restaurant was once the old winery and barrel room. Known for its exquisite food and dining experience – if you are wanting a culinary experience, head here.
Located at Hartley Road, North Tamborine
The food (and wine!) at Mason Wines is exceptional - a culinary delight
Cedar Creek Estate
Is a vineyard and winery set on picturesque grounds. My preference is to dine outside in the gazebo settings, overlooking the lake and fountain. I have lunched here on many occasions and the food and wine has always been wonderful. Just behind the winery you can see the frog and insect exhibit, plus there is a glow worm cave. Kids especially love to visit here! See the site for costs to enter the cave.
Located at 104 - 144 Hartley Road, North Tamborine
The view from the gazebo’s overlooking the estate - lovely to lunch in one of the gazebo’s
The Aerie Bar
A fabulously trendy bar serving boutique wine/gin/whiskey. The setting indoors is lovely with gorgeous hanging plants suspended from the ceiling. Feels a very welcoming atmosphere here.
Located conveniently at 140 Long Road, right in the heart of Gallery walk on Mount Tamborine
St Bernards Hotel
Another long-time favourite. I think you could drive past this hotel and simply not know how magnificent the views are from the back of the hotel, so trust me, you need to stop in and see for yourself. I have been here on beautiful clear days, dined on the terrace overlooking the gorge and valley at the back of the hotel with views out over to the Gold Coast. It is breathtaking.
Dine out at the back of St Bernards Hotel - the view is incredible. On a clear day, you can see for miles!
Equally I have been to St Bernards when it has been teaming with rain and huddled around the cosy fireplace sitting on the leather lounges and basking in the warmth. Either way - a beautiful place! Of course, the St Bernard dogs greet you as you enter the hotel (though most of the time they are sleeping and behind a gated area). They must wonder why they get so much attention! We adore them.
Located at 101 Alpine Terrace, Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain Distillery
Recently visited the distillery and it was a fun, exciting introduction to boutique liqueurs and spirits. The range is enormous, try a tasting of liqueurs such as butter whiskey, choc ‘n’ chilli, honey dew melon, wattle toffee – a dreamy experience!
Located at 10 MacDonnell Road, Tamborine Mountain
Fortitude Brewery Co
A favourite way to end the day roaming the mountain, is with a stop at Fortitude Brewery and the cheese factory. On weekends there is great afternoon entertainment with local bands, and it is a popular meeting hub for many locals and tourists on the mountain.
Located on Long Road, at the end of Gallery Walk
Pic taken when the boys were walking out from the Fortitude Brewery - we took advantage of no crowds during that nasty pandemic period!, but that is no longer, so put a visit to the brewery and cheese factory on your must do list! Doubt you will ever see it this quiet ever again! One of our fav places.
Eagle Heights Mountain Resort
I recently found another spot on the mountain. Again, if you drove past you simply would not know it was there. Eagle Heights Mountain resort has an exceptional outlook over the Gold Coast Skyline. If you can find your way here as the sun sets, the entire coast skyline lights up – it is pretty spectacular to see. Great pub atmosphere and sensational outdoor beer garden.
Located at 1683 Tamborine Oxenford Road, Mount Tamborine
Imagine how the Gold Coast Skyline lights up at nightfall! An amazing outlook from Eagle Heights Mountain Resort. Include a stop here on your visit.
Travel Tip: Book your destination to be sure that you have a firm reservation. It gets busy on the mountain
Take a Walk (Gallery Walk)
Long Road is home to Gallery Walk. An exclusive shopping precinct of Mount Tamborine
The images you see walking down Long Road - they capture my heart! (My photos never do it justice!)
This stretch is the perfect place to meander shopping for boutique gifts, handcrafted artisan wares, antiques, opals, jewellery, fudge, chocolates and ice creamery’s! My favourite shop is the German Cuckoo Clock Nest shop.
Reminds me of being in Germany and Switzerland. There are so many interesting things in this shop alone! There are over 70 boutique shops along this precinct, and you could easily spend an entire day discovering.
Discover the most wonderful artisan wares at the Gallery Walk Shopping precinct
Accommodation options:
There are a range of accommodation options on the mountain from self-contained cottages, hotels, motels, AirBnb’s, Bed and Breakfasts. You are sure to find somewhere that is in the location you desire and in the budget range you have in mind.
Some favourites:
Fig Tree Cottage
Extremely popular! A 2-bedroom cottage at the end of Gallery Walk. Think of an English cottage including the low height ceilings, cute living room with fireplace and it really is the quintessential quaint cottage stay. I loved it here (however you need to book very well in advance to secure a stay)
The Mountain Manor
Motel style accommodation conveniently located along Gallery Walk. I fell in love with the Manor – I book the upstairs rooms as they are a Victorian style with four poster beds and a sunken lounge with cosy fireplaces. I love the location, as is right in the heart of town opposite the Brewery. I believe there have been some reviews that haven’t been so glowing since the pandemic, however thing times were tough during this period and I for one, am happy to continue to support both local and family businesses.
Inside the Mountain Manor are comfortable leather lounges surrounded by a roaring fireplace, intimate bar and piano.
The family who runs this business are wonderful people with hearts of gold. The motel has a wonderful atmosphere. One of my very favourite places to stay.
Located opposite the Fortitude Brewery on 160 Long Road, Tamborine Mountain
Pethers Rainforest Retreat
This is a luxury adults-only, boutique accommodation, set literally in the heart of the rainforest. It is the ultimate romantic, secluded escape. Each tree house faces out into the rainforest and is extremely private. The bathtub feels like it is set in the heart of the rainforest and feels incredible to relax in the tub looking into the forest. They bring you a breakfast hamper in the morning to either have in your room or set up out on your deck. A very tranquil setting.
Located at 28B Geissman Street North Tamborine (close to Knoll Forest)
I always know how much I have enjoyed somewhere when i haven’t taken many photos - living instead in the moment:) After all, that is what life is about! Pethers is truly a luxury, decadent location, yet I did not capture that for you to see! Imagine your own tree house in the MOST secluded part of the rainforest - that would be Pethers. Remember it is Adults Only Accommodation.
Cameron Falls is close to Pethers Rainforest Retreat along the Knoll Walking Track
SKYWALK
Find the time to visit Skywalk. If you want to experience the rainforest and see it from the treetop canopies, this is a must do for you! The skywalk (1.5km) is set on 30 acres of privately owned rainforest and gives you a very different perspective of the forest. Absolutely worth a visit.
Located at 333 Geissman Drive, Mount Tamborine
(Missing photo’s again! Need to up my game - lol!)
TREETOPS CHALLENGE
If you want to get more active in the forest than take a zipline or the canyon flyer at the Treetops Challenge. A super fun way to immersive yourself in the forests on the mountain. Great for both adults and the kids!
Located at Cedar Creek Falls Road and Mount Tamborine Mountain Road, Tamborine Mountain
Hope you now have some tips on what to do and where to see. We try to regularly visit for my favourite time of year - Xmas in July. I have met many people from around Australia who visit every single year, the call of the mountain simply too hard to resist!
Enjoy your visit to the Top Tourism Town – Mount Tamborine will warmly welcome you! The only problem will be that you shall never want to return home! :)
Cheers to your adventures
DeeLuxe
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Explore the whole area and discover the quaint restaurants, hiking trails, falls and the beautiful days - Pic taken at The Bavarian Gril Haus and Red Baron Brewery
