Hinterland adventures
> The Gold Coast is rich in verdant parklands and breathtaking vistas, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers
IF YOU like the outdoors, make sure you visit Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland. This area, 40km inland, is home to two parks that are a mere one hour’s drive from the city. You can plan a day trip or even stay overnight at any one of the establishments available.
The hinterland comprises the Tweed Range, Nimmel Range, Tamborine Mountain, Numinbah Valley, eastern parts of the McPherson Range, and western parts of suburban Gold Coast.
One place that is highly recommended is Mt Tamborine, home to the third oldest national park in the world.
Visitors can see the remnants of the former Mount Warning volcano. There are numerous walks and lookout points where you can enjoy Mother Nature at her best. The mysteriously-named Witches Falls, or charming Cedar Creek, are not to be missed either. There are also 12 walking tracks, each one no longer than 3km.
You can also opt to visit glow-worms in a controlled environment in a man-made cave in Cedar Creek, or choose to venture into a natural cave at Springbrook Natural Bridge.
Try the Zipline canopy tour, with over 100 adrenaline-pumping TreeTop Challenges spread over six courses, spanning through nine acres of bushland, combining rope and wire challenges.
Another way to really enjoy the beauty of the hinterland is to hop on a hot-air balloon tour and take in the sights from 3,000 feet above. Enjoy the view of farmyards, fields and forests, and look out for local inhabitants, such as wallabies and kangaroos.
You can also take a four-wheel-drive tour up the terrains of the hinterland ( above), where passionate guides will share the history of the area with you. Half-day and full-day tour options are available, and you can customise an itinerary based on your interests, and schedule.
Another location, Lamington National Park, is renowned for its beautiful waterfalls and more than 160km of walking trails. Nature lovers will be enchanted by the wildflowers and rare wildlife that thrive in this area.
Head over to the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park and discover the incredible lookout over the Commera Gorge, which has one of the most spectacular views in the park. Other waterfalls that you can check out include Moran Falls, Box Log Falls, Elbana Falls and Chalahn Falls.
Another way to appreciate the natural beauty here is through the O’Reilly’s Tree Top walk, which is 180m long and made up of nine suspension bridges with much of the walkway being 15m above the ground.
You will walk through a canopy of flowering and fruiting trees covered by vines, while you explore the local flora and fauna that inhabit the treetops.