Only an hour’s scenic drive from the bustling metropolis of Brisbane and only 30 minutes from the golden sands and crashing surf of Surfers Paradise is scenic Tamborine Mountain , a lush volcanic plateau 560 meters above sea level (hence the crisp, cool temperatures). Tamborine Mountain is home to the Hinterland’s three most popular and picturesque cool mountain villages, mount Tamborine, North Tamborine and Eagle Heights.
These villages play host to not only breathtaking scenery, from rolling hills to dense sub-tropical rainforest, but a variety of cosy teahouses, quaint historic chapels, unique craft and antique shops and galleries featuring the works of local artists and artisans. The area’s exquisite restaurants and award-winning winery are attractions in their own right and a must for lovers of fresh, innovative cuisine and good wine.
Tamborine Mountain is also a thriving agricultural region. The area’s rich red volcanic soil favours the growth of fresh produce, particularly rhubarb, avocados, kiwifruit and fragrant flowers. The fruits of local growers are displayed in October at the region’s popular Rhubarb and Avocado Festival. Immensely popular with weekend travellers and honeymooners, Tamborine Mountain also boasts an impressive array of accommodation. From cosy bed and breakfasts, old English style ivy-covered thatched cottages, intimate guesthouses, country motels, traditional pub accommodation and rustic log cabins with crackling wood fires, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes and budget.
People come to Tamborine Mountain, particularly during winter and spring from April through to October, to escape the stresses of city life and relax, enjoy some tranquillity and well-deserved peace and quiet. It is a very different world up here. It is especially popular with business people, parents wanting a weekend away from the kids, honeymooners and day-trippers, usually tourists, because it is so beautiful and so peaceful.
For travellers who really want to get away from it all, get back to basics and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul, Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, a 40-minute drive from Tamborine Mountain, would have to be the absolute last word in guesthouse experiences. The real beauty of Binna Burra lies in the fact that it is perched on the very tip of Mount Roberts (some 780 meters above sea level) and is surrounded by sheer cliffs and spectacular 360-degree views of the lush, green Numinbah Valley. It is thought that the word Binna Burra is derived from the Aboriginal words meaning “people of the cliffs”. This unique lodge represents “getting away from it all” in the truest sense, because there are no modern-day distractions to be found anywhere. There is no television, no telephone, no clock, no radio, you are left in solitude with only your thoughts and the rare opportunity to soak in the sheer beauty of nature.