Lat Update: October 2026
The first time I visited Tamborine Mountain, I was just 20 years old and traveling around Australia on a Contiki tour.
I will always remember my trip to Tamborine Mountain. The road to it from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast was so windy. We’d had a big night out the previous day, with barely any sleep and way too much booze. My stomach was not coping at all with the twists and turns and I couldn’t wait to get there, leap out of the car and take a deep breath of fresh mountain air. What was actually quite a short trip felt like it took forever. But, when we finally arrived, I felt so much better; the views were stunning.
When we moved to Brisbane, I knew I needed to return to Tamborine Mountain.
This little slice of heaven is just an hour away from Brisbane, so how could we not? It’s the perfect place for people who, like us, enjoy nature, hiking, wildlife, and wine. Read on to find out what to do in this incredible part of South East Queensland.
How to get to Tamborine Mountain?
From Brisbane:
Tamborine Mountain is about 80 kilometres south of Brisbane. Depending on the time you leave the city, it can take from just under an hour, up to an hour and a half or slightly more. At peak hour, things tend to get jam-packed on the M1 highway.
There are a couple of different routes you can take though, so load up Google Maps and see which way the app thinks looks the fastest. We ended up jumping off the motorway early and let it take us there via the backroads, which was also much more scenic!
From the Gold Coast:
Tamborine Mountain is about 40 minutes from the Gold Coast. Use the Pacific Motorway and take Exit 57 at Oxenford just after Movie World. Then, follow the signs up the mountain. It’s only a short 15-minute drive from Movie World and Dreamworld.
What to do in Tamborine Mountain?
Take a hike in the rainforest
A walk in the rainforest is the best escape from a hot day. The shade provided by the tall, leafy trees is a welcome relief from the soaring temperatures that can be unbearable at the peak of summer, even up on the mountain. The lush, tropical rainforest is packed with Strangler Figs and towering Cedar trees. Some of them have roots so big that they will blow you away. Strangler vines take up residence in trees and their strong branches grow downwards into the soil. All of this makes for some great photo opportunities.
Short hikes:
Curtis Falls Track (1.1 kms return)
Cedar Creek falls Track (900m return)
Longer hikes:
Witches Falls Track (3.1kms loop)
Palm Grove Circuit (2.6 kms loop)
Lower Creek Circuit, Curtis Falls (2 kms loop)
The Sandy Creek Circuit (2.6 kms loop)
Check out the many viewpoints
There are several viewpoints on the mountain, providing spectacular views of the surroundings. For views across the national parks of the Scenic Rim, don’t miss the Hang Gliders Launch and the Rotary Lookout on the Main Western Road. For views over the Gold Coast skyline and Pacific Ocean, head to the Eagle Heights Resort.
Go wine tasting
Tamborine Mountain is home to a few wineries. So, knowing us, we had to check a few of them out for some tasting. While I won’t say the wines match those of say the Hunter Valley, surprisingly they weren’t too shabby. When we moved up here, I assumed that we’d struggle to find decent wineries. But there you go, I was wrong!
We visited Albert River Wines and had a lovely relaxing lunch on their veranda, with some stunning views to go with their wine!
We also did some tasting at the Heritage Wines cellar door on the Gallery Walk. Their Fiano was very enjoyable.
See glow worms
There aren’t too many places in the world where you can see glow worms, but you can on Tamborine Mountain, thanks to a conservation initiative located in the grounds of the Cedar Creek Estate.
Their 30-minute tour will take you through a purpose-built cave containing thousands of glow worms. Before entering, you first watch a 7-minute video explaining more about these little guys. You are then taken inside the cave where, with the help of a red light, you can check them out. As you enter the cave, you’ll see thousands of little lights all around you. Some are much brighter than others; those are the big females. Our tour guide told us stories of how glow worms eat their siblings to survive, since mum isn’t very helpful when it comes to rearing her babies! It was a very informative tour and having not seen glow worms before, I really enjoyed it.
Visit the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is just over a kilometre long and takes approximately 45-minutes to complete if you take your time. The walk takes you across a high-tech steel bridge and onto a cantilever pier that rises thirty metres above the creek and the rainforest below. From there, you have a great view over the rainforest canopy. As you walk through the forest, keep your eyes peeled for birdlife.
Shop on the Gallery Walk
When you’ve spent enough time exploring all the wonders of the mountain, it’s time for some retail therapy! The Gallery Walk is the best place to do just that. Walk up and down the Gallery Walk, taking time along the way to check out all the little shops that line it.
You’ll find crafts, local produce, wine, clothes, cafes and, my absolute favourite, the Cuckoo Clock shop. Even if you aren’t planning on buying a cuckoo clock, you just have to visit this store! I loved looking at all of the clocks, each of them slightly different. Lots of very impressive craftmanship went into making them. The building itself is worth the detour. For us, it was a little flashback to Germany.
Have a tasting paddle at the brewery
If wine isn’t your thing and you prefer beer (or if you like both!), head to Fortitude Brewing for a great selection of craft beers. Order a tasting paddle and try out five of their beers. Right next door is the Witches Chase Cheese Co., so why not get a little cheese platter to go with your beer? But if pizza is more what you’re craving, the brewery has that on their menu as well.
Check out the Botanic Gardens
The Tamborine Mountain Botanical Gardens is set across 11 hectares of land. It combines a wide variety of exotic and native flora. The glorious lake is the centrepiece of the gardens, along with a tranquil Japanese garden, a tropical rainforest walk, and many other delights.
Bring your picnic to eat at one of the picnic tables on site. Before or after your picnic, take a stroll along one of the walking trails around the gardens.
Visiting Brisbane too? Tamborine Mountain makes a fantastic day trip from Brisbane, but there’s plenty to explore in the city itself! Check out our Brisbane travel guide for the best things to see and do during your stay.
Best Time to Visit Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain is beautiful year-round, but autumn and spring are particularly lovely, with pleasant temperatures for rainforest walks, exploring the villages and enjoying the wineries.
Summer brings lush greenery and flowing waterfalls, although it can be hot and humid. Winter is cooler and perfect for cosy cafés, wineries and mountain views.
How Many Days Do You Need at Tamborine Mountain?
You can see several highlights on a day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, but we recommend staying one or two nights if you have the time.
This allows you to enjoy the rainforest walks, waterfalls, wineries and Gallery Walk without rushing, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the mountain atmosphere.
Getting Around Tamborine Mountain
Having a car is the easiest way to explore Tamborine Mountain, as its attractions are spread across several areas.
Gallery Walk is easy to explore on foot, but you’ll need transport to reach many of the waterfalls, walking tracks and viewpoints. Organised tours are available if you’d prefer not to drive.
Love waterfalls and rainforest walks? Don’t miss nearby Springbrook National Park, another beautiful part of the Gold Coast Hinterland, with spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforest and scenic lookouts. Check out our Springbrook National Park guide for the best things to see and do.
Where to stay in Tamborine Mountain?
Mountain Sanctuary B&B
Mountain Sanctuary B&B offers accommodation in Mount Tamborine, just a 7-minute stroll from the wineries and cafes along Gallery Walk. Click here to find out their prices.
The Polish Place
The Polish Place offers award-winning, self-contained chalets, set on the escarpment of Tamborine Mountain, with 180-degree views facing out towards The Great Dividing Range. Each of these European-style mountain chalets includes a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. All have a dining area, private balcony, “cathedral ceilings” and a loft-style bedroom. Visit the restaurant for the main attraction, the crazy lorikeets! Click here to find out their prices.
Other Accommodation
If none of those are available or take your fancy, try using the search box below:
Where to eat in Tamborine Mountain?
The Tree House: This is a great place for coffee and breakfast on the Gallery Walk.
Hikory: The local’s favourite spot, Hickory specialises in American inspired BBQ (done the Aussie way) featuring slow-smoked meats, delicious sides and cocktails.
Tamborine Mountain FAQs
Is Tamborine Mountain worth visiting? Absolutely! With beautiful rainforest walks, waterfalls, wineries, scenic viewpoints and charming shops, it’s a lovely escape from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
What is Tamborine Mountain famous for? It’s best known for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, Gallery Walk, glow worms, wineries and spectacular hinterland views.
Can you visit Tamborine Mountain as a day trip from Brisbane? Yes! It’s approximately an hour’s drive from Brisbane, making it an easy day trip. Start early to make the most of your visit
What are the best walks at Tamborine Mountain? Curtis Falls, Witches Falls and Cedar Creek are popular choices, offering rainforest scenery and waterfalls. Check track conditions before visiting.
Can you swim at Tamborine Mountain waterfalls? Swimming is permitted in designated rock pools at Cedar Creek, but not at Curtis Falls, where the pool is an important glow worm habitat. Always check current safety advice
Looking for more places to explore around Brisbane? From beautiful beaches and islands to lush rainforests, scenic mountain drives and charming country towns, there are plenty of incredible destinations just a short drive from the city.
Read more: Best Day Trips from Brisbane – 14 Amazing Places to Explore
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