Just an hour’s drive from Brisbane, and 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise, Tamborine Mountain is a world away from the big city and the Glitter Strip. This picturesque enclave of the Scenic Rim has it all for a romantic getaway; it’s rich history, abundant in natural wonders including national parks, and has an impressive lineup of food and wine experiences. Here’s our top pick of what to see, and do, in Tamborine Mountain.
Stay Somewhere Fabulous
There are plenty of options for accommodation in the Gold Coast Hinterland, but Lisson Grove truly ticks all the boxes - especially when it comes to romance. It’s tucked away high on the edge of Mount Tamborine opposite Witches Falls and a boutique resort dedicated to couples, yet it’s also only a few minutes drive from North Tamborine and many of the key sights of the area. Besides an idyllic location, Lisson Grove has it all for a romantic getaway, from magnificent log fires and spa baths to gardens filled with songbirds. Accommodation on offer includes a handful of luxury cottages including the Abbey, which has architecture similar to a country church and a fabulous loft bedroom, and there are premium cottages with the feel of “Old England” equipped with a fireplace, a large spa bath, an antique queen-sized bed and a kitchen, and luxury cottages with a front porch or courtyard, a king-sized bed, and your very own Weber BBQ. And at the ultra luxury end of the scale there’s The Castle; two separate wings providing the ultimate romantic escape fit for a pair of Kings and Queens, complete with private indoor plunge pools, a private cinema and much more.
To read our review on Lisson Grove click here.
To read our review on The Castle at Lisson Grove click here.
Enjoy Some Local Top Drops
There is an impressive lineup of wineries and cellar doors in Tamborine Mountain, the dilemma is usually choosing which ones to visit. Top of your list should be the award winning Witches Falls Winery (79 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain, www.witchesfalls.com.au). Visit the cellar door for a wine tasting and you will quickly realise this is an opportunity to experience something a bit different; they make wine here because they love it, achieving a Five Red Star rating from James Halliday which places it in the top 10 per cent of wineries in Australia. Others to consider if time permits include Cedar Creek Estate Winery and Vineyard (which has the bonus of a purpose built glow worm cave you can visit), Albert River Wines, and Heritage Wines and Mason Wines in the Granite Belt. Another popular spot to visit for a unique tipple is Tamborine Mountain Distillery (87-91 Beacon Road, Tamborine Mountain, www,tamborinemountaindistillery,com/2014). A family owned business established over 20 years ago, the internationally awarded distillery produces liqueur, vodka and schnapps using native flowers and local produce. The lilly pilly gin and eucalyptus gum leaf vodka will make great souvenirs of your getaway to the hinterland.
Get Some Exercise
Tamborine Mountain has a Kodak moment at virtually every turn, so pack a camera, grab a pair of walking shoes and head out for hike at least once during your stay. Some of the more popular walks explore the lovely waterfalls in the area; if you are limited with time, start with the 1.1 kilometre track through the mossy forest to Curtis Falls, or pack a picnic and head to Cedar Creek Falls which has a waterfall towering 15-20 metres. Other waterfall hiking options include the 3.1 kilometre Witches Falls Circuit, where you can photograph the waterfalls and surrounding views from a viewing platform, while the walk to Cameron Falls is about an hour round trip, but worth it for the views. If you enjoy a challenge, take the 4.2 kilometre Joalah Circuit, which passes through a flying fox colony and past a giant fallen strangler fig tree (get more information on bush walks here).
Eat!
Tamborine Mountain has a cooking school, dozens of quality restaurants and cafes, and a number of artisan food producers, including the Witches Chase Cheese Company (165-185 Long Road, North Tamborine, www.witcheschasecheese.com.au). It makes an impressive range of handcrafted, award-winning premium cheese on site, including fresh, soft, blue and hard varieties, using traditional methods without preservatives, and with vegetarian rennet. Also on offer if you have the appetite is homemade ice-cream and yoghurt made with jersey cow milk and goat milk supplied by a local farmer, and save time at the end to cross the walkway to the MT Brewery to sample some preservative and additive-free brews. If you’re in Tamborine Mountain on a Sunday, the Local Producers’ Market has organic produce as well as other locally made delicacies including honey and preserves, which you can enjoy in your accommodation, or take home to savour with a glass of local bubbly.
Immerse Yourself In Nature
There are so many things to see and do in this part of the Gold Coast Hinterland, like choosing which winery to visit, the problem is which ones to put on your list. You can start the day by watching the sun rise on a romantic, scenic balloon flight followed by a Champagne breakfast, wander through the Mount Tamborine Botanic Gardens, go zip lining through the treetops, go horse riding, play golf, and even go hang gliding. The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk (333 Geissmann Drive, Tamborine Mountain Road, North Tamborine, www.rainforestskywalk.com.au), however, is arguably the best and easiest way to enjoy the stunning scenery of Mount Tamborine. It’s a one-and-a-half kilometre rainforest walking experience featuring the Skywalk Bridge, the 40 metre Skywalk Cantilever which offers views for kilometres, and the Cedar Creek Viewing Platform, all joined by a winding pathway along the canopy floor. Completing the walk takes between 45 minutes and an hour, including a stop at the Rainforest Eco Gallery to explore some of Mount Tamborine’s local and indigenous history.
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