Visitor Info
Tamborine Mountain is a 28 km2 plateau (8 km long by 4 km wide) in the Scenic Rim, Gold Coast Hinterland, south-east Queensland, Australia. The name is of Aboriginal origin and has nothing to do with the musical instrument.
Human settlement on the plateau is centred on three village communities: North Tamborine, Eagle Heights and Mount Tamborine, with a total population of about 6,500. The plateau is classified as a rural area, with zoning restrictions that prohibit property from being subdivided. There is no reticulated water supply or sewerage system, and residents are dependent on rainwater, bores and septic systems. Many residents commute to work on the coast or in Brisbane.
Geological origin
The geological origin of the plateau is a lava flow from the Mount Warning volcanic eruption 22 million years ago. Tamborine Mountain rises at the start of the north-east section of the Scenic Rim, the name given to a group of mountains in South East Queensland.
History
Tamborine Mountain was inhabited by Aborigines for tens of thousands of years and was the territory of the Wangerriburras. Until it was opened for selection in 1875 it was covered with subtropical rainforest. In that year the first white settler, John O’Callaghan selected a parcel of land on the mountain.[1] Much clearing for agriculture took place, though efforts were made to protect the natural values of the area, with Witches Falls National Park (now part of the Tamborine National Park) being declared in 1908, the first in Queensland. The Tamborine National Park is made up of 12 separate sections of land, mainly remnant rainforest, on the plateau and surrounding foothills. A tourist road to the mountain was opened in 1924.
Climate
The climate is subtropical, with the annual rainfall of about 1600 mm falling mainly between December and March. Temperatures vary between maxima of 18 °C in winter and 32 °C in summer, averaging some four or five degrees cooler than the surrounding lowlands. With its fertile red volcanic soil and high rainfall, the plateau produces rich crops of avocados, kiwifruit, passionfruit, rhubarb, apples and mangoes. With its cool climate and spectacular scenery, as well as its proximity to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise, it is a major tourist destination.
Tourism
Tamborine Mountain attracts a large amount of tourists to Gallery Walk, a street devoted to cafes and souveneir shops. The street isn’t particularly noteworthy, but remains a tourist centre due to it being directly on the way from the Gold Coast. Other tourism-heavy areas include Main Street, two one-way roads with cafes, a supermarket, hardware stores, a newsagent and various other shops, and the Tamborine Showground Markets, held every second Sunday of the month.
Walking Trails
Tamborine is well-known for walking trails winding through rainforest regions and occasionally past cliffs or waterfalls. The most well-known ones are the Curtis Falls rainforest track, and the Knoll, though there are others. The tracks are mainly used by tourists, although locals who have lived on the mountain for a while may visit them occasionally, or as part of an exercise regime.
Tourist Visitor Information
Travelling South from Brisbane
Exit 92 – Scenic Rim is about 80km south of Brisbane via Beenleigh and Tamborine Village or via the Pacific Highway and the Oxenford-Tamborine Road.
Route 13 – Mt Lindesay Highway – this route will take you through the towns of Jimboomba and Beaudesert. At the intersection in Beaudesert, left will lead you towards Tamborine mountain and Canungra, directly straight will lead you onto Kerry rd towards the Lost World Valley, and if you head to the right and continue on the Mt Lindesay Highway this will lead you to Rathdowney with exits to Christmas Creek and Kooralbyn.
Travelling North from the Gold Coast
Exit 57 – Tamborine is 36km from Southport via the Pacific Highway and the Tamborine-Oxenford Road or 28km from Nerang via the Nerang-Tamborine Road.
Travelling from Nerang & Canungra
Exit 71 – The roads from Nerang and Canungra are steep, narrow, approx. 13km long and are unsuitable for buses, trailers, caravans and trucks.
Travelling from the West
Route 90 – Exit off Highway 15 – Cunningham Highway – leads to town of Beaudesert.
Travelling north from Kyogle in northern NSW
Take the Summerland Way which leads to the southern entrance of the Scenic Rim and into the township of Rathdowney – gateway to Mt Barney National Park area. An alternative scenic route is Lions Road – take the Lions Road exit off Summerland Way on the outskirts of Kyogle. This route is shorter and takes in the beauty of the Border Ranges. Lions Road is now completely sealed.
