In this Tamborine Mountain travel guide, you will uncover the most unforgettable things to do for your Tamborine Mountain day trip. From amazing bush walks to the chance to seeing native animals in the wild, Tamborine Mountain is where you can visit to relax and unwind during your visit to Brisbane. Check out incredible rainforest trails, boutique wineries and shopping destinations and feast on incredible views that sweep across the region.

Whether you’re craving nature, food, creativity, or a little bit of everything, a Tamborine Mountain day trip from Brisbane is one of the easiest and most rewarding escapes in South East Queensland. This Brisbane travel guide brings together the best walks, lookouts, cafés, wineries, and hidden gems so you can plan the perfect day on the mountain.

Best Time to Visit Tamborine Mountain

Autumn (March-May): Cool, comfortable, and perfect for walking the rainforest trails.
Spring (Sept-Nov): The mountain is colourful with blooming flowers and trees, perfect for a rainforest walk or botanic gardens.
Summer (Dec-Feb): Warmer and wetter, but the rainforest is lush and waterfalls are at their best. More crowds and more expensive.
Winter (June-Aug): Crisp, clear days offer great views from scenic lookouts. Fewer crowds.

Is Tamborine Mountain Worth Visiting?

Tamborine Mountain day trip: a male walking up the stairs at Curtis Creek Falls bush walk

Tamborine Mountain day trip: An Australian water lizard sunbathing on a rock

Simple answer – Yes! A Tamborine Mountain day trip is absolutely worth it. This green scenic region South of Brisbane CBD has a charm that’s make you forget you’re so close to a bustling city center. The air is cooler, the trees are taller, and the pace is slower. It’s the kind of place where you can wander through rainforest in the morning, sip wine over lunch before browsing quirky boutiques, and finishing the day with a sunset that lights up the rainforest

Tamborine Mountain is also incredibly accessible; no long drives or no complicated planning, and absolutely no need for hiking experience. Making a Tamborine Mountain day trip ideal for couples, families, solo travelers, and anyone wanting a refreshing break from the city.

This incredible rainforest is close enough to Brisbane for a spontaneous escape yet rich enough to fill an entire day with nature, food, creativity, and views. It’s one of those rare destinations that suits every type of traveler; whether you’re chasing adventure, relaxation, or a little indulgence. A Tamborine Mountain day trip from Brisbane is easy, refreshing, and endlessly rewarding. Once you’ve been, you’ll understand why locals return again and again.

Tips for Visiting Tamborine Mountain

Weekdays are quieter – best time for bush walks with less tourists
Research any vineyards or restaurants you may want to dine at. Some are only open for limited hours during weekdays
Bring a jacket – The mountains are always cooler than the city.

Getting to Tamborine Mountain from Brisbane

The drive from Brisbane to Tamborine Mountain takes around 1.5 hours. The most common route is via the M1 and Tamborine–Oxenford Road, winding gently up the mountain through lush forest.

We hired a car through Europcar who was based on Elizabeth Street in Brisbane CBD, I highly recommend them if you’re planning on hiring a car. I’m not entirely sure if there is public transport to Tamborine Mountain but it is an extremely popular place to visit so if you do a bit of research you may find a day tour that suits your needs.

Tamborine Mountain Accommodation

This is a day trip guide so accommodation isn’t needed, but if you find that you fall in love with the place and want to spontaneously spend a few nights in Tamborine Mountain then go ahead and check out places on Booking.com or Airbnb.

Gallery Walk

No Tamborine Mountain day trip is complete without a stroll along Gallery Walk, the mountain’s colourful, creative village strip down Long Road. Discover the row of gorgeous boutique shops; a German Cuckoo Clock shop housing hundreds of different and authentic German clocks for sale. From free standing grandfather clocks to wall mounted cuckoos and watches. Next door you will find the Gnome Gallery where you can purchase a great little hand knitted friend to take home, then try some delicious fudge further up the road before ending your walk at the Christmas shop; where Christmas is celebrated 365 days a year.

Hikes in Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Mountain day trip: A view from the top of Cedar Creek Waterfall in Tamborine Mountain near Brisbane.

Best Road trips from Brisbane: An Australian water lizard sunbathing on a rock:

Curtis Falls Track

One of the best things to do during a Tamborine Mountain day trip is to visit Curtis Falls. This is one of the most popular walking tracks in the area, loved for its winding trails, lush rainforest and abundance of native wildlife. Shady and peaceful, this hiking trail near Brisbane is perfect for families and small time adventure seekers.

Cedar Creek Falls

Cedar Creek Falls is a popular swimming spot in summer featuring a rock pool, cascading water surrounded by dense native forest, and a short walk through open forest. The chatty wildlife makes this waterfall walk a family favourite day trip near Brisbane. Grab a picnic blanket and your togs and enjoy a dip in Cedar Creek Falls during your Tamborine Mountain day trip.

Palm Grove Circuit

A quieter, more tranquil walk through towering palms and dense rainforest. Palm Grove Circuit is perfect for those wanting a more immersive nature experience in Tamborine Mountain.

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk

For something a little different, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk offers incredible views from elevated steel bridges and a cantilever platforms high above the forest floor. It’s a paid attraction but offers a unique perspective and a great family friendly activity.

Lookouts and Viewpoints

A man standing on a large wooden platform lookout in Brisbane, Australia

Tamborine Mountain offers some of the best views across the region, perfect for sunrise or sunset photography

Rotary Lookout

The Rotary Lookout Point on Tamborine Mountain is a easily accessible, scenic spot located in the Amarine Hills. Offering panoramic views across the range and of neighbouring mountains, making Rotary Lookout an excellent location for sunset watching and nature photography.

Hang Glider Launch Lookout

Hang Glider Launch Lookout is a favourite for sunset views and nature photography, given it’s name this lookout has panoramic views across the Scenic Rim.

Knoll Road Lookout

Knoll Road Lookout is a quieter spot overlooking the valley and distant ranges.

Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens

The Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens are free to enter; with different themed gardens, sculptures and walking paths, these botanic gardens are an affordable and family friendly activity to add to your Tamborine Mountain day trip. Nestled in a sheltered valley, these gardens are a peaceful escape away from the bustling Brisbane city life.

Some of the highlights of the Tamborine Botanic Gardens include:

the Japanese garden
the rose garden
rainforest sections
colourful seasonal plantings

Suggested Tamborine Mountain Day Trip Itinerary

Here’s a sample itinerary for your Tamborine Mountain day trip to help you plan and make the most of your day away from the city.

Morning: Curtis Falls and Gallery Walk

The drive from Brisbane to Tamborine Mountain takes around 1.5 hours, so allow yourself plenty of time to hit the road before peak hour traffic starts. Enjoy your first stop at Curtis Falls for a peaceful rainforest walk before continuing on to the Gallery Walk for a spot of souvenir shopping.

Midday: Wine Tasting and Lunch with a View

Enjoy a relaxed midday beverage at Witches Falls winery where you can relax in the garden and sample local wine. Then you can continue on to any of the following three restaurants for a delicious meal to keep you going throughout the day.

The Polish Place
Cedar Creek Estate
Mason Wines Restaurant

Afternoon: Botanic Gardens or Curtis Falls

Wander through the gorgeous botanic gardens of perfectly curated gardens, sculptures and lovely lawns, or enjoy a slightly more rugged bush walk through to Curtis Falls.

Evening: Sunset at a Lookout

You’ve come this far on your Tamborine Mountain day trip, so you can’t miss out on an incredible sunset at any of the amazing lookouts I have mentioned above! Hang Glider Lookout is favoured for its sunset views across the region so that view point should be your go to location.

Other Great Day Trips from Brisbane

LoveYaGuts Travel Tamborine Mountain Day Trip from Brisbane 2026

Free Things to do in Brisbane: A Koala sitting on a tree at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre in Brisbane.

Brisbane is a great city to base yourself if you’re looking for day trips to the incredible natural landscapes that Australia has to offer. Take a trip to Mt Glorious for more incredible bush walks and boutique accommodation, or head south to the Gold Coast where you can have an adrenalin filled holiday at any of the theme parks. If you’re craving a tropical getaway then checkout my Moreton Island day trip review for soaking up the sun and plenty of cocktails!

Other Things to add to your Tamborine Mountain Day Trip

Tamborine Mountain is full of wonderful experiences but of course I haven’t indulged in them all. The following list of things to do on Tamborine Mountain are worth adding to you Tamborine Mountain day trip. The following list of things to do in Mt Glorious are worth adding to your Tamborine Mountain travel guide. But be sure to do your own research as I am not lucky enough to share my own personal experiences!

Glow Worm Caves
Tamborine Mountain Distillery
Fortitude Brewing Co.
Thunderbird Park
Cauldron Distillery