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Tamborine Mountain - The Green Behind The Gold™

The “Green behind the Gold” is the term given to the lush hinterland that sweeps up from the golden beaches of the Gold Coast to mountains, plateaus, gorges and valleys that remain at peace with nature. They contain a storehouse of environmental treasures now fully protected in vast swathes of pristine country under the banner of World Heritage Listing as the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (formerly known as the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves).

Follow the roads inland from the Gold Coast's beaches and a magical world unfolds. A world of tropical rainforests, mountain villages, and other hidden treasures that are all part of Tamborine Mountain – The Green behind the Gold. A scenic 30-minute drive from the Gold Coast, this lush mountain plateau offers breathtaking views of the Hinterland ranges and the Gold Coast. It is a world of subtropical rainforests, waterfalls and associated wilderness.

More Information

Visit the Tamborine Mountain web site www.tamborinemtncc.org.au for a wealth of information on where to stay and what to do on beautiful Tamborine Mountain - The Green Behind The Gold.

1st National Park in Queensland

It was on Tamborine Mountain that the first National Park area in Queensland was set-aside for the people. In 1907, 324 acres in and around Witches Falls was gazetted as the first national park in Queensland. The lack of commitment to conservation by the bureaucracy at the time is evidenced by it being officially described as '...unfit for any other purpose...'

Fortunately, the idea of preserving treasure troves of natural environment was embraced by the people and successive governments so that today, Queensland has a large and varied natural estate, which is held in trust for future generations. Nowadays, the Tamborine Mountain area includes seven national parks with a variety of sub-tropical rainforest.

The Green Behind The Gold - Unique Flora & Fauna

Tamborine Mountain is a volcanic plateau eight kilometers long, five kilometers wide and 560 meters above sea level.

Tamborine Mountain is a sanctuary for our native flora and fauna. Shy lyrebirds, bold scrub turkeys, brilliant parrots and lorikeets, vociferous whipbirds and inquisitive bowerbirds populate the forests and hedgerows. The bird and animal species is a veritable Noah's Ark. Spotted quolls are still to be found. Elusive platypuses live in the clear mountain creeks and at night the fireflies glow in the rainforest. For the early risers is the delight of sharing that time of day with the dainty pademelons.

The gentle ascent through the farmlands of the Albert Valley to the Mountain makes a pleasant drive through a winding route to the forested mountain country. The Cedar Creek area of the Mountain is endowed with a series of beautiful waterfalls and an extended walk of some three kilometers leads to a deep rock pool. The National Park is well provided with picnic facilities. Just upstream is Thunderbird Park where visitors can fossick or buy "Thunder Eggs".

The Joalah Section of the Tamborine National Park includes white trunked flooded gums and a vine tangled rainforest, which includes piccabeen palms. Curtis Falls drops fourteen meters and is only 300 meters away from shops. The cool and lovely plateau of Tamborine Mountain overflows in a wealth of rainforest, waterfalls and scenic panoramas.

Tamborine Mountain – “The green behind the Gold” is home to a myriad of cottage industries such as Art Galleries, Crafts, Coffee Shops and Devonshire Teas, in addition to the many wineries, nurseries and restaurants.

The mountain retains its unique rural heritage and is renowned for its produce, particularly avocados, rhubarb, kiwifruit and flowers.

The Green Behind The Gold Walking Tracks

Tamborine National Park on Tamborine Mountain is situated in the Gold Coast Hinterland and is an essential part of "The Green Behind The Gold").

Walking tracks are provided in six sections of Tamborine National Park. Most walking tracks are short and can be walked within a few hours. The walks are relatively easy although some tracks have short, steep grades. At usual walking pace, 3km takes about an hour. If you are walking with young children, or if you are birdwatching or taking photographs, allow some extra time.

Walking Tracks on Tamborine Mountain.

Visiting The Green Behind The Gold

The first stop for visitors should be at the Visitors' Centre and the Natural History Village in North Tamborine.

For those who prefer to sample the local cuisine there are many cafes, cosy tea houses and fabulous restaurants, each with their own individual style, whether it is continental cuisine, an ethnic meal or a Devonshire tea. Many of the establishments offer both indoor and outdoor tables for the visitor to enjoy a splendid view or just sit at leisure in a peaceful tea garden.

Because of Tamborine Mountain’s altitude (around 550 meters above sea level) the visitor will see many exotic trees and shrubs which are more often at home in the cooler climates of Europe, North America and Northern Asia. The Mountain is justifiably proud of its famous beautiful gardens.

Almost any day, Hang Gliders can be observed launching off the Mountain. From Tamborine Mountain, one can see the splendid McPherson Range with majestic Mount Lindesay and Mount Barney silhouetted against the skyline or, on turning in the other direction, one can behold the beaches of the Gold Coast and the skyscrapers. It is well worth a weekend stay to enjoy the views at night with the panorama of lights.

There is a wide choice of accommodation to suit everyone's taste and budget from a small intimate country motel, overnight cabins with magnificent sunset views, holiday cottages, traditional pubs, elegant resort and bed and breakfast accommodation.

Visit for the day or stay overnight.

Tamborine Mountain truly is – “The Green behind the Gold”.