Rainforest Skywalk, Eagle Heights Gallery Walk, Glow Worm Caves, cellar doors & waterfalls — the complete 2026 guide to South-East Queensland's most beloved hinterland destination.
Tamborine Mountain sits on the western edge of the Scenic Rim — a plateau of volcanic rainforest rising 500 metres above the Gold Coast coastal plain — just 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise and an hour from Brisbane. It packs a remarkable amount into a small area: subtropical rainforest walks, a world-class elevated skywalk, Queensland's only purpose-built glow worm caves, over 50 boutique shops and cellar doors, award-winning craft beer and gin, multiple waterfalls, and enough restaurants and cafés to fill a full day without ever feeling rushed.
Witches Falls, on Tamborine Mountain's eastern escarpment, was declared Queensland's very first national park in 1908. The Wangerriburra people of the Yugambeh language group are the Traditional Custodians of this mountain Country, and their deep connection to this land predates the national park by tens of thousands of years.
~1 hr from Brisbane via M1 Pacific Motorway (Oxenford exit, then Tamborine-Oxenford Road). ~45 min from the Gold Coast. Hop-on hop-off buses also operate from both cities.
Year-round. Winter (Jun–Aug) is ideal for clear days and rainforest walks. June is Scenic Rim Eat Local Month — 120+ paddock-to-plate events. Arrive early to beat crowds.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk · Eagle Heights Gallery Walk · Glow Worm Caves · Witches Falls Winery · Curtis Falls walk · Hang Gliders Lookout
Car recommended for flexibility. Hop-on hop-off bus connects major attractions. Main areas: Eagle Heights (Gallery Walk + Skywalk) and North Tamborine (entry point).
The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is Queensland's only family-owned skywalk — a 1.5 km eco-adventure set in 30 acres of privately owned subtropical rainforest beside the crystal-clear rock pools of Cedar Creek. Built by the Moore family from 2004, the walk begins at the Rainforest Eco Gallery, a comprehensive display of Australian rainforest flora, fauna and Indigenous history, with insect dioramas, an 11-foot freshwater aquarium and butterfly collections.
From the gallery, the path ascends through the forest floor before rising into the upper canopy on 300 metres of high-tech steel bridges. The signature experience is the 40-metre cantilever bridge — a dramatic structure that thrusts out 30 metres above Cedar Creek and the rainforest below. On a clear day the views extend across the valley toward the Gold Coast skyline in the distance. The bridge has a gentle sway as you walk, adding to the exhilaration without being frightening — designed for all ages and fitness levels.
Watch for rosellas, lorikeets, cockatoos, freshwater turtles and the rare Richmond Birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) — a vulnerable species that the Skywalk owners actively breed and conserve. Trees along the walk include giant strangler figs, Tallow wood, Tamarind, White Booyong, Piccabeen palm and Walking Stick palm. The Birdwing Café on site is a lovely spot for a coffee and light lunch with rainforest views after completing the circuit.
Gallery Walk is the social and commercial heart of Tamborine Mountain — a charming strip of over 50 boutique shops, galleries, cellar doors and cafés running along Long Road between Eagle Heights and North Tamborine. It is entirely walkable, and most visitors spend 2–3 hours exploring its range at a relaxed pace.
The character of Gallery Walk is genuinely eclectic: handmade fudge (the vanilla custard is a standout) and artisan chocolates sit alongside serious art galleries and a crystal shop. The German Cuckoo Clock Nest is one of the most distinctive and visited shops — handcrafted clocks and traditional German craft pieces that feel completely incongruous and completely wonderful in a Queensland rainforest village. Several shops are run by the artists and makers themselves, which gives the walk an authentic character that manufactured tourist strips lack.
The Eagle Heights Hotel on Gallery Walk consistently tops recommendations for lunch — good pub food in a relaxed atmosphere with spectacular panoramic views over the valley and toward the Gold Coast. It is the natural lunch anchor for a Gallery Walk morning. Book ahead on weekends.
Located at Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery, the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves are the world's only purpose-built glow worm cave environment — designed to protect and display the Arachnocampa flava species native to Queensland. Opened in 2004, the man-made caves feature realistic stalactite and stalagmite formations and are fully accessible via guided tour. Inside the cave, thousands of bioluminescent creatures illuminate the ceiling with an ethereal blue-green glow that has to be seen to be believed.
Guided tours run for approximately 30 minutes and are educational as well as visually extraordinary. After the tour, the Cedar Creek Estate cellar door is steps away for wine tastings — making this a perfect combination stop.
Curtis Falls is the mountain's most accessible waterfall — a 1.1 km return walk through the Joalah section of Tamborine National Park, descending through rainforest to a viewing platform above the cascade. A restricted area below protects a significant glow worm colony — swimming is not permitted here. Cedar Creek Falls, on the southern edge of the mountain, offers a 500 m wheelchair-accessible lookout or a 900 m walk down to swimmable rock pools. See our full Tamborine Mountain waterfalls guide.
An 11-hectare site in the heart of the mountain encompassing a wide variety of rainforest and subtropical gardens. Free entry, open year-round. A quiet, beautiful contrast to the more commercial attractions on Gallery Walk — excellent for a morning walk with coffee. The gardens include fern gullies, rainforest walks and formal garden sections.
For thrill-seekers, Thunderbird Park on Cedar Creek Falls Road operates the Canyon Flyer — one of the most exhilarating zipline experiences in Queensland, sending riders through ancient rainforest at speeds up to 70 km/h. The park also offers fossicking for thundereggs (volcanic stones lined with crystals), the TreeTop Challenge ropes course, horse riding, rock pools, and camping for those wanting to stay overnight.
Tamborine Mountain's most dramatic viewpoint — a lookout from which licensed tandem hang gliders launch over the valley. Even if you're not flying, the views from Hang Gliders Lookout are among the best on the mountain — a sweeping panorama across the Scenic Rim, Flinders Peak and the Gold Coast hinterland. Watching a glider launch silently off the escarpment edge is a genuinely memorable sight.
Tamborine Mountain has an outstanding food and drink scene for a community of its size. The Scenic Rim wine region is emerging as one of Queensland's most interesting, and the mountain's cellar doors and craft producers are at its heart.
Depart Brisbane (or 9:15 am from Gold Coast). Aim to arrive on the mountain by 9:30–10:00 am to catch the rainforest wildlife at its most active.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk — begin at the Eco Gallery, walk the canopy bridges, and cross the 40-metre cantilever. Allow 45–60 minutes. Coffee at Birdwing Café on site.
Curtis Falls walk — a 1.1 km return through the Joalah section of Tamborine National Park. Free, easy and a beautiful contrast to the elevated Skywalk experience.
Eagle Heights Gallery Walk — lunch at the Eagle Heights Hotel (book ahead on weekends). Browse the 50+ shops: fudge, chocolates, the German Cuckoo Clock Nest, galleries and the Tamborine Tea shop.
Cellar door tasting — Witches Falls Winery for wine and a cheese platter, or Fortitude Brewing for craft beer and Tamborine Mountain Cheese. Both are close to Gallery Walk.
Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves at Cedar Creek Estate — guided tour (~30 min) then a winery tasting if you haven't already. The afternoon light on the vineyard is beautiful.
Hang Gliders Lookout for the sunset panorama across the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast hinterland — one of the best viewpoints in South-East Queensland. Then return to Brisbane or Gold Coast.
Naturalist-led day tours from Brisbane and the Gold Coast — Skywalk, waterfalls, Gallery Walk, Glow Worm Caves and a winery tasting, all included.
Book a Tamborine Tour Contact Us →
Curtis Falls glow worms, Cedar Creek rock pools, hidden Cameron Falls — the deep-dive waterfall guide.
Cedar Creek, Purling Brook, Natural Bridge and more — the regional waterfalls guide.
Sunrise surf, Tamborine hinterland, SkyPoint at golden hour — the perfect one-day plan.
Safety, nightlife and SkyPoint — the honest local guide to after-dark Gold Coast.
Tamborine Mountain is approximately 1 hour from Brisbane via the M1 Pacific Motorway (take the Oxenford exit, then follow Tamborine-Oxenford Road) and around 45 minutes from the Gold Coast. A hop-on hop-off bus also operates from both cities, providing an easy transport option if you prefer not to drive the winding mountain roads.
The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a 1.5 km eco-adventure set in 30 acres of privately owned subtropical rainforest beside Cedar Creek. The walk combines forest floor trails, 300 metres of steel bridges through the upper canopy and a 40-metre cantilever bridge soaring 30 metres above the creek. It takes 45–55 minutes at a relaxed pace and begins at the Rainforest Eco Gallery. Built by the Moore family from 2004, it is Queensland's only family-owned skywalk. Open 9:30 am to 5 pm daily except Christmas Day (last walk 4 pm).
Gallery Walk is a charming strip of over 50 boutique shops, galleries, cafés and artisan producers on Long Road between Eagle Heights and North Tamborine. It is the commercial heart of Tamborine Mountain — handmade fudge, artisan chocolates, local wine and gin tastings, the German Cuckoo Clock Nest, art galleries and the Eagle Heights Hotel for lunch with panoramic views.
Located at Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery, the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves are the world's only purpose-built glow worm cave environment, opened in 2004. They display the Arachnocampa flava species native to Queensland in realistic cave formations. Fully guided tours run for approximately 30 minutes. After the tour, the Cedar Creek Estate cellar door is immediately accessible for wine tastings.
Tamborine Mountain is excellent year-round. Winter (June–August) offers clear, mild days perfect for rainforest walks and cellar door visits — June is also Scenic Rim Eat Local Month (120+ paddock-to-plate events across the region). Spring brings wildflowers and warm temperatures. Arrive early in the morning to beat crowds and see the rainforest wildlife at its most active.
The first 300 metres of the Skywalk path is wheelchair and stroller accessible, including the early section of canopy bridges. The full 1.5 km loop involves dirt-track inclines beyond the accessible section. The Rainforest Eco Gallery, Birdwing Café, gift shop and toilets at the entrance are all accessible. Call ahead for specific access advice.