Fall in love with Mount Tamborine & Gold Coast, Australia
Back in 1991, my mom and dad hosted a Rotary Exchange student from Australia in our home in the tiny town of Florenceville, New Brunswick – famous for McCain’s French fries. For three months, Colette became a part of our family. She attended high school with my older sister, participated in extra-curricular activities and even went potato-picking on Potato Break – just for the experience. She was warm, friendly and kind to me as her ‘little sis,’ although at the time we had little in common.
My parents were always so fond of her, impressed by her incredible talent in painting and drawing, along with her positive, try-anything once attitude. I remember the first time her parents sent a care package and we all got to try vegemite – yuck! And she had sweetened condensed milk shipped all the way from Australia to make ‘Australian pie,’ not knowing we had Carnation sweetened condensed milk in Canada. It was a very expensive, but delicious caramel pie!
Since then, it had always been my parents' dream to visit Colette in Australia; something they planned to do in retirement. Sadly, my dad passed away in 2017 never having made it to visit Colette in Australia. Mum and I had a trip planned for 2020, but it was cancelled due to Covid. Then in 2024, we finally made it happen and my sister was able to join us as well.
What better way to start an epic trip to Australia, then by landing in Brisbane and being picked up by our long-lost sister. It was a warm and emotional welcome after many years of keeping in touch by mail and email. Colette and her husband greeted us and then we set off for the drive ‘home’ to Mount Tambourine.
Mount Tamborine is a small community set on a mountain with narrow, winding roads, steep inclines, beautiful flowers and incredible views. It’s a vibrant community full of spirit and support for wellness and the arts. While many day-trippers visit Mount Tamborine for a few hours on bus tours, it’s rare that tourists stay longer and get to appreciate the warm community feel of this small town. We were lucky to stay for five days and experience life like locals, on and off the mountain.
Day 1: Arriving in Mount Tamborine
After the long flight, we were thrilled to start our Australian adventure with a warm welcome and a scenic drive to Mount Tamborine. We ascended the narrow and incredibly steep Mystery Road where we connected to the rural streets circling the top of the mountain. Surrounded by nature, lush subtropical rainforests and incredible birdlife it was quite literally a breath of fresh air after our long flights. How lucky were we that we also happened to be there while jacaranda trees were in full bloom with their incredible purple flowers delicately dancing in the wind.
Fighting the urge to simply go to bed as we were 14 hours ahead of our regular routines, we took a brief visit to the lookout point at Tamborine National Park. The Needlepoint Trees here are a famous feature of the park. They have distinctive, narrow leaves and tower high above you. For Indigenous peoples of the area, the Needlepoint Tree is considered a sacred tree, symbolizing strength and resilience. These trees are important not just for their beauty but also for the way they hold cultural significance within the local Yugambeh people's spiritual traditions.
It was the perfect way to start our Australian journey, followed by a relaxing evening enjoying blackcurrant cordial on the deck overlooking the stunning scenery, listening to the cicadas call and appreciating short visits from colorful birds like the beautiful King Parrot. It was just sinking in that we were actually, finally in Australia.
Day 2: The Gold Coast
Day two of our Australian adventure fell on my birthday, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. We started the day with a visit to Gold Coast. Most people mistakenly think the Gold Coast is a province of Australia, but it is actually the name of a city. The province is Queensland. Of course Gold Coast is famous for its incredible, long, soft, sandy beaches. The beaches were every bit as beautiful as we had imagined, and the coastal views were gorgeous.
We started out at Burleigh headlands for a short hike through the forest where we saw lots of birds and lizards, along with some bush turkeys and their nests. Then we grabbed our swimsuits and played in the huge waves at Burleigh Beach with the skyscrapers of Gold Coast in the distance.
Lunch time came and we wandered down to James Street for lunch at one of the eateries and some tasty gelato on the way back to the car. The whole area is lively and has a beach vibe. There’s something about the warm sun, golden sands, and blue waters that just makes everything feel alright.
Still battling jetlag, we headed back toward Mount Tamborine, had a nice afternoon nap and then headed out for a birthday celebration at St. Bernard’s Pub & Restaurant. This beauty of a spot is a well-loved local institution. St. Bernard’s has been a fixture in the area since the 1970s and is known for its charming ambiance, Aussie pub fare and is named after the St. Bernard dogs that were once associated with the area. Several beautiful and calm St. Bernard’s were relaxing in the entryway. It was a perfect place to celebrate another trip around the sun with family.
Day 3: Paradise Point
On day three we took a leisurely day to explore Paradise Point, another community on the opposite end of Gold Coast. It was a little windy and chilly so we went for a stroll along the water’s edge and took in the views of million-dollar mansions and yachts!
We dropped by Broadbeach to watch wind surfers and hear the roar of the super cars getting ready for the annual races in Gold Coast. The wind was wild though, so no swimming for us!
We had a delicious lunch and wandered around the very popular Ferry Market before heading to a little town called Canungra for a stroll and some local shopping. The tiny town has just one main street, a few little shops and a lot of traffic!
To end the day we packed a little makeshift charcuterie picnic and headed to the knoll for a chilly but beautiful sunset. We also got to watch lots of paragliders taking off into the sunset!
Day 4: Local Flavours and Glow Worm Magic
By day four, we were almost on the right time zone and we were fully immersed in the beauty of Mount Tamborine. Today we stayed on the mountain, starting with a delicious breakfast at the Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation. This little local gem is known for its organic coffee and laid-back vibe. I had smashed avocado toast, bacon, and a chai latte while soaking in the views of the surrounding rainforest. The coffee plantation itself is a unique little place to visit. It has locally grown coffee but also shows a glimpse into the history of coffee farming in the region. The Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation has been a local staple for over 100 years, offering some of the best beans from the region and contributing to the area’s thriving agricultural tourism industry.
After breakfast, we headed to Gallery Walk. This is a charming stretch of local shops, art galleries, and boutiques all along one street. It’s perfect for souvenir shopping and appreciating the talents of the many local artists who are drawn to make their home in Mount Tamborine.
Next up, we made our way to the Glow Worm Caves. These caves offer a unique opportunity to see one of nature's most magical creatures up close. Glow worms only exist in Australia and New Zealand so it’s a special sight to see. This particular cave is a conservation project dedicated to protecting and increasing the local glow worm population. The project has been incredibly successful, growing the glow worm population from just 300 to over 1,000 in the past 20 years. And yes, they really do glow from their bum! The glowing is what attracts flies to their snares so they can eat.
As we entered the manmade cave and our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we were guided through the tunnels where the tiny larvae of these glow worms emit bioluminescent light as part of their hunting process. The worms themselves are like delicate strings of silk hanging from the walls. The light they emit is faint, but quite incredible once your eyes adjust! No photos are allowed inside and the light would be too faint to capture by cell phone anyway, but it was truly a highlight of the trip!
Day 5: Curtis Falls and Botanical Gardens
Our last day in Mount Tamborine with our Aussie friends was just as beautiful as all of the others. We began our day with a rainforest hike to Curtis Falls, a popular natural attraction on the mountain. The trail was a mix of lush, verdant green trees and a fascinating up-close look at local flora. Colette taught us about the strangler fig trees, which are known for their unique growing process. The strangler fig starts as a small seed that germinates in the cracks of a host tree. Over time, it grows roots that strangle the host tree, eventually overtaking it, creating a hollowed trunk that often looks like a natural sculpture. This process is symbolic in many Indigenous cultures, representing resilience and the cycle of life. We also learned about the palm leaves that the Indigenous people of the region used for practical purposes, like carrying water and creating shelters.
The falls themselves were small but beautiful! We grabbed a few photos and then took in the beauty and sounds of nature before climbing up, up, up back to our start point!
Following our hike, we headed to Picnic, a lovely local café off the main tourist track. It’s a favourite spot among locals and we could see and taste why! I had a chai latte (do you see a theme here?) and a fresh, fruity breakfast bowl—a perfect post-hike treat.
We spent the afternoon wandering through the Tamborine Mountain Regional Botanical Gardens, full of flowers and fragrances both exotic and familiar. The gardens were a patchwork of flowering plants, shady groves, and peaceful walking paths. We spent a couple of hours discovering little hidden nooks, brightly coloured flowers, little bridges over streams and fun art installations from metalworks to thong music!
With weary feet, but full of nature’s goodness, we decided to make one last stop at Tamborine Mountain Distillery, where we had the chance to sit and taste some locally crafted gin. Since I don’t drink, I opted for something a little different. I found the gelato stand instead! The gelato was delicious, though I must admit the gin tasting looked pretty good too with local botanicals being used in every distillation. It was truly a lovely end to a relaxing few days on the Mountain.
Take it Slow
One of the things I’ve come to appreciate about staying in one place for several days is how much more you can uncover about a destination. Instead of rushing through the highlights, you get to dig deeper into what makes a place truly special. Mount Tamborine, with its local charm, stunning natural beauty, and rich cultural history, showed us far more than just the usual tourist spots. We had time to slow down, appreciate the small moments, and connect with the spirit of the mountain.
Our time in Mount Tamborine was a perfect blend of nature, culture, and reconnection. From the rainforest hikes to the cozy cafés, from the hidden treasures in the shops to the quiet gardens, we had truly fallen in love with this community. And most of all, the laughter and time shared with Colette and her family won’t be forgotten.
This wonderful start to our time in Australia was a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural environment, our community spirit and the meaningful connections we have with others, even when they live far away.
On day six we woke early and said our goodbyes, continuing our travels on to Brisbane, Cairns and Sydney. I was filled with gratitude—for finally being able to help my mom make it to Australia, for reconnecting with Colette in real life and for the beauty that Australia protects so well. There’s no question that Mount Tamborine will always hold a special place in our hearts.
What's your Australian Dream Trip?
If Australia is on your travel bucket list, let this be your sign to not wait! Life changes in the blink of an eye and you just never know what will happen. As you age, long-distance travel becomes harder both mentally and physically. You never know when your health, finances or world events will change. Seize the day!
Your Australian dream may take you to see the famed Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Tamborine, or deep into the Kimberley to meet unique tribes and wildlife. Whether you dream of adventures in the famous ‘outback’ to see Uluru or wine and whale sharks in the West, we’d love to help you live your dream vacation.
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My sister lives close by at Tallai so, over the years, we’ve been to some of these places. Haven’t ever visited the glow worms so will have to add that next time I’m there. Thanks for the tip!
Loved your description of your trip! It reminded me of our stay in the area where we spent a week in Coolangatta in 2016 before flying to Cairns for a liveaboard dive trip. We drove around the area but i don’t remember going into the hills.