Queensland Hinterland

Making tracks....

A backdrop of World Heritage rainforest reserves and charming rural villages can be reached within an easy 30 minute drive of Gold Coast beaches. Follow walking tracks, food and wine trails and discover a treasure trove of arts and crafts.

Graded walking tracks in the Gold Coast hinterland’s national parks and reserves enable you to experience the beauty of pristine forests with their rare and beautiful native wildlife. Steeped in history, the hinterland also is home to antique galleries, museums, tea-houses, craft shops and weekend country markets. Wander through the hinterland for a day or stay a week in one of the charming bed and breakfast lodges or chalets. The mountainous hinterland can be accessed from numerous areas: take the Oxenford turnoff from the Pacific Motorway to reach Tamborine district, access Springbrook via Mudgeeraba and travel via Nerang to the Numinbah Valley, Lamington National Park, Canungra and Beaudesert.

Tamborine Mountain

A visit to the Tamborine district – Mount Tamborine, North Tamborine and Eagle Heights atop the mountain and Tamborine Village at the foot on the western side – is a world away from the sand and surf. This is an area with pretty villages, lush foliage and breathtaking views from vantage points to the Great Dividing Range. There’s a huge range of accommodation with welcoming bed and breakfasts, romantic retreats, camping, hotels and lodges. See the world’s largest thunder egg deposit at Thunderbird Park. Explore the many gift shops and art galleries or visit a market. This is the place to enjoy leisurely Devonshire teas, see pretty waterfalls and rainforest walks and take advantage of the cooler conditions.

Beechmont

Lower Beechmont and Beechmont feature pretty scenic drives, farm stay accommodation and small tea-houses where you can enjoy a peaceful rest in delightful garden settings. Roison’s Lookout at Beechmont should not be missed.

Beaudesert

To the north, Beaudesert is the heart of cattle country. Horse riding, farm and wildlife tours and country accommodation can all be found here. Time your visit to coincide with fun events such as the Beaudesert Rodeo, Campdraft or Beaudesert Show. Visit areas such as Mount Barney National Park and Rathdowney or call in to Kooralbyn Valley for recreational and sporting pursuits. View historic buildings such as St Mary’s Church and the Beaudesert Historical Museum. Visit the information centre at Jubilee Park for details on attractions. In spring and autumn, there are open garden displays. Jimboomba is a commercial centre servicing rural estates around Beaudesert Shire.

Canungra

Further south, Canungra dates back to the 19th century. You’ll find historic buildings which showcase its heritage as a site for saw millers and cedar getters. Duck Creek Road off the main road is popular with 4WD enthusiasts. Call in to the Rainforest Gallery and Alpaca Barn for quality alpaca garments and to view the stud. You can also access the wine trail around this area.

Hinze Dam

Around 15 km south-west of Nerang, Hinze Dam has a 207 sq km catchment. The dam is a venue for picnics, walking and canoeing although swimming and power boating is not permitted. Try fishing for Australian bass, perch or saratoga – you’ll need a permit from the Gold Coast City Council or via Hinze Dam rangers.

Rathdowney

First explored by Captain Logan in 1828, this area was opened for European settlement in 1842. The Rathdowney Hotel Social Fishing Club attracts thousands of anglers each year for the Carp-busting competition. There are eco tours, farm stays, bed and breakfast lodges, camping and hotel/motel accommodation. Rathdowney Heritage Day offers displays of past bush skills such as woodcarving, cross-saw cutting and blacksmithing.

Springbrook

Springbrook is an historic mountain district where you can enjoy spectacular waterfalls and pristine mountain tracks. In 1911, the Springbrook School opened and today it is used as an information centre. A 1000-year-old Tallowwood, growing dangerously close to the school, was felled and the remnants are known as ‘the Big Stump’. Other attractions include Goomoolahra picnic area which is wheelchair accessible, Springbrook National Park and Purlingbrook Falls. Many local operators conduct evening tours to the area for star-gazing and glow-worm viewing while Forest of Dreams offers the chance to see glow-worms during the daylight hours. You can access the area via Mudgeeraba (or Nerang to reach Natural Bridge). Stop off near Mudgeeraba and visit the fabulous Bonsai World.

Border Ranges National Park

A World Heritage-listed park on the rim of an ancient volcano. This park harbours the Alberts lyrebird. Access is via Murwillumbah off Summerland Way or Kyogle Road.

Lamington National Park

This stunning 20,600 ha national park is World Heritage-listed. There are 160 km of walking tracks and landmarks include Mount Merino, Checo Point, Coomera Gorge, Elabana Falls and Picnic Rock. Wonder at Antarctic beech trees, remnants of a species which grew in Gondwanna, Australia’s ancient supercontinent 55 million years ago. In this area you’ll find two major starting points for bushwalks: Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s Plateau.

Mount Barney National Park

A rugged, undeveloped park, Mount Barney rises 1360 metres with other nearby peaks including Mount Lindesay (1191m) and Mount Maroon (965m). This area is significant for restricted plant species and Antarctic beech trees, banksias and native apple trees.

Mount Warning National Park

A 2379 ha World Heritage-listed park, this area is dominated by Mount Warning’s 1100m peak. Walk to the summit through rainforest for 360-degree views of the Tweed Valley.

Springbrook National Park

Natural Bridge is part of the 2954 ha Springbrook National Park at the southern end of the Numinbah Valley. The site was named after the natural phenomena Natural Bridge (or Natural Arch) which was carved from a deep cave formed behind a waterfall. This pretty area has abundant wildlife including bandicoots, whipbirds and glow-worms. Purlingbrook Falls is the Gold Coast’s largest single-drop waterfall at 106m. Experienced operators offer tours of this area.

Tamborine National Park

Areas include Cedar Creek, Joalah, MacDonald and Palm Grove national parks. Popular areas are Curtis Falls, Jenyns Falls and Witches Falls, Queensland’s oldest national park.

NORTHERN HINTERLAND

Sunshine Coast Hinterland luxury accommodation and hotels

Areas in this region include Beenleigh which features an historical rum distillery established in 1884. Nearby attractions include Sirromet Wines at Mount Cotton and Kingston Park Raceway. The annual Beenleigh Rotary Canefest features a street parade and charity quest. Yatala is located 3 km south of the Brisbane city limits. The Carlton Brewhouse offers tours and is popular with beer lovers. The WRX Experience, an offroad driving circuit and Dick Johnson Racing at Stapylton are a must for motoring enthusiasts.

Ormeau is the base for ecological nature-based tours and there’s a range of affordable accommodation. At nearby Norwell, visitors can find the Holden Performance Driving Centre and Gainsborough Greens golf course. There’s a tourist park at Jacob’s Well. Coomera is an important railway link and major attractions include Dreamworld. Coomera Sports Grounds will be built in this area. Further south, Oxenford is the base for Warner Bros Movie World and Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World. Call in at the Western Trading Company to pick up American artefacts.

SOUTHERN HINTERLAND

Gold Coast Hinterland luxury accommodation and hotels

Murwillumbah is a good base to explore national parks and Mount Warning. Nearby are Uki, an old cedar felling town, Clarrie Hall Dam and Cram’s Farm. In this area you’ll find Tyalgum, a small community which hosts an annual classical music festival. Stop for a Devonshire tea or view art galleries. The World Heritage Rainforest Centre at Murwillumbah is your introduction to rainforests. From Murwillumbah visit the Numinbah Valley and the town of Numinbah. Other delightful spots include Tumbulgum and Terranora Inlet.

GOOD TIPS

The Gold Coast Food and Wine Trails Guide is available at tourist information outlets throughout the Gold Coast and surrounding regions or visiting the website at www.goldcoasttourism.com.au and placing a brochure order.

For details on Queensland national parks view www.epa.qld.gov.au or New South Wales national parks just over the border on www.npws.nsw.gov.au