Mount Tamborine (locals call it Tamborine Mountain) is a rainforest plateau in the Scenic Rim, about 70 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD. One day here can cover an arts-and-fudge shopping strip, rainforest waterfalls, glow worms, cellar doors and lookouts.
The plateau is made up of three main villages, North Tamborine, Eagle Heights and Mount Tamborine, joined by Long Road and Main Western Road. Most visitors start on Gallery Walk, then add a waterfall walk and a lookout.
Gallery Walk: shops, cafes and tasting rooms
Gallery Walk runs along Long Road at Eagle Heights and is the main stop on the mountain. Scenic Rim Regional Council counts more than 70 specialty shops, with galleries, gift stores, bookshops, fudge and ice cream, cafes and a distillery along the strip.
Allow 30 minutes for a quick walk or a few hours if you stop for lunch.
Waterfalls on Tamborine Mountain
The waterfalls sit inside Tamborine National Park, which is split into several separate sections rather than one big park. Four are worth knowing:
- Cedar Creek Falls: a short walk to a lookout and a longer track to the rock pools. See our Cedar Creek Falls guide for swimming rules and parking.
- Curtis Falls (Joalah section): a 1.1 km return track to a viewing platform, close to Gallery Walk. The Joalah section also has a public toilet and a car park.
- Witches Falls: a circuit of about 3 km. This section became Queensland’s first national park in 1908.
- Cameron Falls: reached on the Sandy Creek Circuit from The Knoll, with a short branch to a lookout.
More falls are in the waterfalls category, including those at Springbrook National Park.
Tamborine Mountain glow worms
You can see glow worms in daylight at the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves, at the corner of Long and Hartley Roads. Tours are guided only, run about every 30 minutes and last about 30 minutes. The caves are at Cedar Creek Estate, open 10 am to 4 pm daily, and the operator recommends booking online. Check prices on the operator’s site.
At Curtis Falls, glow worms live in the cliffs and show at night. Access to the rock pool and the area around it is closed to protect them, so stay on the signed track.
Wineries and distilleries
The mountain’s cellar doors and distilleries are mostly a few minutes apart by car. Visit Brisbane lists Witches Falls Winery and Cellar Door, Mount Tamborine Vineyard and Winery, Albert River Wines, Mason Winery and Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery, which has garden dining. For spirits, Tamborine Mountain Distillery runs tours and Cauldron Distillery runs a gin-making class and distillery tour. Check each venue for hours and bookings.
Most tasting stops are not on a bus route, so choose a designated driver or book a winery tour that picks up from your door. See more in the wineries category.
Lookouts
Rotary Lookout has wide views over the Scenic Rim, and the Hang Glider Lookout on Main Western Road is another good viewpoint. The Knoll, on the Sandy Creek Circuit side, has views to Mount Flinders and Brisbane from its picnic area.
For a walk through the canopy, the Tamborine Mountain Rainforest Skywalk is a 1.5 km rainforest walk with a cantilever bridge about 30 metres above the creek.
Gardens, markets and a pub lunch
The Tamborine Mountain Regional Botanic Gardens, at 25 Forsythia Drive, mix subtropical rainforest with cooler-climate gardens of roses, camellias and azaleas. There is a car park, picnic area and public toilet.
The big market day is Mammoth Country Markets, held at the Bearded Dragon Hotel. To stay overnight among the trees, Thunderbird Park has powered and unpowered camp sites.
Planning your visit
- How long: a full day covers Gallery Walk, one waterfall walk and one lookout. Add the glow worm caves or a cellar door if you start early.
- Visitor centre: the Tamborine Mountain Visitor Information Centre is in Doherty Park, 2 Main Western Road, North Tamborine, open 9 am to 3 pm every day. Phone (07) 5545 3200.
- What to bring: sturdy shoes for the stairs on the waterfall tracks, water and a hat.
- Costs: the Skywalk, glow worm caves and distillery tours are paid and book through the operators.
Is Mount Tamborine dog friendly?
Dogs are not allowed in national parks, which covers the Cedar Creek, Joalah, Witches Falls and Knoll walks. Lions Park on Curtis Road and Robert Sowter Park on Main Western Road both allow dogs on a lead, and Robert Sowter Park has sunset views over the Scenic Rim. Some cafes have decks where a dog can sit with you, and Tamborine Mountain Distillery and Cauldron Estate Distillery welcome dogs. Check with the venue first. Our camping with dogs guide has more.
Getting to Mount Tamborine and parking
From Brisbane CBD it is about 70 minutes by car (about 77 km). From Surfers Paradise it is about 45 minutes. There are two main routes up: through Nerang via Henri Robert Drive, and the Oxenford-Tamborine Road.
Parking on Gallery Walk is limited street parking, with more along Long Road. Council plans a new off-road car park east of Long Road, with works scheduled for August to December 2026. Parking at the national park sections is in small car parks that fill quickly at weekends.
By public transport, the Translink Mt Tamborine on-demand service picks up in Tamborine Mountain, North Tamborine and Eagle Heights and runs to Helensvale or Beenleigh station. It runs Monday to Friday only, not on weekends or public holidays, and fares are a flat 50 cents. Book on 1300 153 636 at least an hour ahead. At the weekend a car or a tour is the practical way to visit.
Nearby
- Canungra – the valley town below the mountain.
- Boonah – country town at the foot of the Scenic Rim peaks.
- Mount Barney – the big peak for experienced walkers.
- Rathdowney – a small Scenic Rim town further south.
- Natural Bridge, Springbrook – a glow-worm cave and rainforest circuit.
- O’Reilly’s Rainforest – tree top walk, birds and walks.
More drives like this are in the scenic drives category and the Scenic Rim section.
Quick answers
How far is Mount Tamborine from Brisbane?
About 70 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD, around 77 km. From Surfers Paradise it is about 45 minutes.
What is Gallery Walk at Tamborine Mountain?
It is the main shopping strip on Long Road, Eagle Heights, with more than 70 specialty shops, galleries, cafes, fudge and ice cream.
Can you swim at Tamborine Mountain waterfalls?
Swimming is allowed at the Cedar Creek Falls rock pools, which are cold even in summer. At Curtis Falls the rock pool area is closed off to protect the glow worms.
Can you see glow worms at Mount Tamborine?
Yes. The Glow Worm Caves run guided tours of about 30 minutes and the colony can be seen in daylight. Glow worms also show at night in the cliffs at Curtis Falls.
Is there a bus to Mount Tamborine?
There is an on-demand service from Helensvale or Beenleigh station, Monday to Friday only, for 50 cents a trip. There is nothing on weekends.
Are dogs allowed at Mount Tamborine?
Not on the national park walks. Dogs are allowed on a lead at Lions Park and Robert Sowter Park, and some cafes and distilleries welcome them. Check with the venue first.
0 Comments