MT TAMBORINE

CAN YOU HEAR THE BEAT?

Just a short drive from Toowoomba, shrouded in mist, lies the enchanting forested mountains of the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Taking a drive through this scenic area is more than a full day’s work, because there is simply too much to see and do.

It is virtually impossible to pass a lookout spot or a cafe, for fear of missing out on some of the most spectacular scenery Queensland.

Part of the Scenic Drive, Tamborine National Park is spread across several reserves and encompasses a couple of villages, like Mt Tamborine.

Native wildlife — everything from wallabies to lyrebirds, bush turkeys and lorikeets — comfortably wander around the back yards of many of the properties in this protected area without fear.

Incredibly, the park is home to more than 80 percent of the native wildlife of the Scenic Rim area.

The place is dotted with waterfalls of all sizes, walking trails, water holes, ancient trees and picnic spots.

After a wet season, the area is simply mesmerising, with every waterfall riotously pouring massive amounts of water into every conceivable stream.

All the water in the area makes for pretty amazing views if you get yourself to a reasonable height among the trees — the mist slowly rolling into the valley like spilled toffee, covers all sound of the multitudes of birds below and you’re left standing in perfect silence.

If you’re interested in learning more about the trees of the area, you can do the Rainforest Skywalk, which takes you as high as 30 metres above the forest floor.

On your way to the German Grill Haus for lunch and a refreshing beer, you might want to stop over at the glow worm caves.

These little magicians are nothing to be grossed out about and well worth seeing in the absolute darkness of their chamber.

Everything in the park vibrates life; from the unbelievably tall trees reaching for the sky, to the millions of birds and insects singing their songs, and the steady drum of water.

It’s a symphony of sound best explored at leisure, so take a drive with the windows down and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of nature.