Bushwalks and Hikes of Tamborine National Park
Just an hour from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Tamborine National Park is a spectacular destination for anyone who enjoys bushwalks, hikes, and scenic trails. Located in the Gold Coast hinterland, about 80 kilometres south of Brisbane, this park offers glimpses of the Pacific Ocean and the Gold Coast skyline to the east, while the rugged peaks of the Scenic Rim rise to the west.
Tamborine National Park holds a special place in Queensland’s history. The Witches Falls section was the first national park declared under the State Forests and National Parks Act 1906, officially gaining protection in 1908. Over time, additional reserves were added, forming what is now a network of 14 sections spread across the Tamborine plateau and its foothills. These areas preserve the region’s diverse plant communities, from lush rainforest with piccabeen palm groves to towering wet eucalypt forests dominated by flooded gums. Open forests with bracken fern understorey and dry woodlands add to the park’s ecological variety, providing vital habitat in a landscape largely bordered by urban and rural development.
The park is home to an impressive array of wildlife. The escarpment alone supports 85 percent of the animal species and 65 percent of the plant species found within the City of Gold Coast area. Bushwalkers will likely spot Australian brush-turkeys foraging along the trails, while scrubwrens dart through the undergrowth. Red-necked pademelons can often be seen along the quieter tracks, and one of the world’s largest skinks, the land mullet, thrives in the rainforest. Birdwatchers might hear the near-threatened Albert’s lyrebird mimicking the calls of other birds, particularly during winter. Seasonal visitors to the park include the vibrant Richmond birdwing butterfly and the striking noisy pitta, which migrate from higher-altitude rainforests.
Geological remnants of ancient volcanic activity shape the landscape, with basalt columns, sheer cliffs, rocky outcrops, and cascading waterfalls providing a striking backdrop for hikes and walks. These features are the result of lava flows from a massive eruption 23 million years ago, with Tamborine Mountain marking the northernmost extent of the Wollumbin (Mount Warning) shield volcano.
Access to the park is straightforward, with multiple routes leading to Tamborine Mountain. From Brisbane, it’s about an 80-kilometre drive via Beenleigh and Tamborine Village or along the Pacific Motorway and Oxenford–Tamborine Road. If travelling from the Gold Coast, the mountain is 36 kilometres from Southport via the Pacific Motorway or 28 kilometres from Nerang via Nerang–Beaudesert Road. From Canungra, take Tamborine Mountain Road for 8 kilometres.
Want to find the best trails in Tamborine National Park for an adventurous hike, casual walk, or a family trip? Trail Hiking Australia has the best trails for walking, hiking, running, and more.
