When Caleb was in medical school, I always looked forward to his midterm breaks because that meant he was free for a moment to go explore with me. With our anniversary coming up, I wanted to plan a fun and special day. Nothing too fancy but somewhere we hadn’t been yet.
Tamborine Mountain ended up being the perfect location because it’s really easy and quick to get to from Brisbane; perfect for a day trip!
We started by visiting the Skywalk. This is a private trail that includes a suspended bridge placing you in the midst of the rainforest, among the canopy tops, and dozens of feet from the ground below.
Admission is $19.50AUD, with cheaper rates for students and seniors. It’s a unique experience that’s safe for everyone and the skywalk bridge is wheelchair accessible, too.
The entire track should take you less than an hour and the best way to end your journey through the forest is by browsing the Skywalk gift shop. The shop features several collections of jewelry, fine art, and other accessories created by local and Indigenous Australians that you won’t find elsewhere. Each time I go back, I find something else I can’t leave behind!
Hiking at Tamborine Mountain
Skywalk was only the beginning! If you want to experience hiking on your own, I definitely recommend continuing up the road a few kilometers until you reach the entrance to Curtis Falls Trail. Don’t worry, everything is very-well marked along the road and there’s usually plenty of parking available.
Curtis Falls is not too difficult to walk, but there’s still climbing (stepped pathways) and plenty of sights and sounds to experience. What you think is the sound of birds chirping could very well be fruitbats hanging in trees above you!
And then you make it to the falls…
Getting your water bottle and day pack ready yet???
Apart from the exercise and soaking in all of the beautiful nature, another thing I really enjoy about hiking trails like Curtis Falls is saying G’day to all the other passersby. It’s nice to see other people from all cultures and ages setting out on their own version of the Tamborine Mountain adventure.
I have been fortunate to visit this area many times, including once when my mom and aunt came to vacation in Australia, as pictured above. It was so much fun to experience this part of the world with family (my mom had never been out of the U.S. before!). I always recommend Tamborine Mountain for anyone who wants a nice getaway from Brisbane city without having to go too far — it’s only about an hour’s drive which is perfect for having your fill and getting back by to Brisbane by dark.
Glow Worms and Gallery Walk
Another bucket list item for many people who come to the mountain is to see the glow worm caves! As soon as I heard about them, I reserved us a spot in one of the afternoon tours. Traveling there just a bit of a drive but the information centers and signage are very helpful along the way.
The cave experience is informative, fun and suitable for all ages! But I will warn you that it’s pitch black in the cave momentarily, so little ones may need to be prepared for that. I was shocked to learn that the glow worms’ whole bodies don’t actually glow; just their little tails. The glowing happens as a way to attract small insects to the glow worms’ sticky traps so they can feed. Creative little guys!
The Gallery Walk at the epicenter of the village is always bustling! The streets are lined with the cutest shops ranging from clothing boutiques to jams and spice shops, to local art. And don’t forget about the cafes, ice cream, and fudge shops! One of my absolute favorites is a little place called Angela’s Pantry. The owner is so sweet. She’ll stop and tell you about her old home in Ireland and I guarantee she’ll remember your face when you come back next time. The oils, jams, and spices at her store are AMAZING and you can even try samples before deciding which to take home, too!
If you’re lucky like we were, you may get to meet some new slithery friends! Completely caught us off guard, but hey, When in Rome!
We’ve just cracked the surface of things to explore at Tamborine Mountain. There are numerous hiking trails, adventure parks, unique hotels, and more. That’s definitely why once you go, we know it won’t be your last!