A local’s guide to the Gold Coast Hinterland
Guide
By Kim Barnard
When you think of the Gold Coast, pristine beaches and highrise buildings probably come to mind. After all, this coastal Queensland city has long been the poster child for sun and sand.
What you might have missed, however, is that 30 minutes from the beach lies a magnificent mountain rainforest—boasting waterfalls, bushwalking trails and charming villages. The Gold Coast Hinterland, home to Mount Tamborine, the Numinbah Valley and World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park, is home to a lush, green wonderland behind its iconic stretches of golden sand.
To learn more about this secret natural wonder (and the must-do experiences, activities and dining spots) follow this handy Gold Coast Hinterland guide.
Stay
Whether you're a camper or prefer life's luxuries, travelling with your partner or a group, staying for a night or a week, the Gold Coast Hinterland has so many accommodation options to suit.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a pioneer in Australian ecotourism that has been welcoming travellers from near and far since 1926. With a mission to offer guests a place to escape and connect with nature, family and friends, it’s the perfect place to base yourself. Choose a compact mountain-view room, canopy suite or villa to be your base for exploring the hinterland - you can even book a room with its own private spa overlookng the ranges. Be sure to make the most of the abundant activities on offer, such as the Tree Top Walk, Glow Worm Experience, wildlife encounters, and Segway Safari. O'Reilly's is just a one-and-a-half drive from Surfers Paradise; you’ll find it perched at the end of Lamington National Park Road.
If you want to sleep under the stars in an untouched pocket of Lamington National Park, go glamping with Nightfall Camp. Stay in a luxurious safari tent that sits delicately beside the crystal-clear headwaters of Christmas Creek. Breathe in the fresh forest air, soak in a private bathtub, sit in front of the fireplace, and indulge in delicious home-cooked organic food. This glamping experience is the epitome of tranquility and privacy (only eight guests are permitted at a time). Nightfall is a one-and-half drive from Surfers Paradise.
Adventure
From walking tracks to waterfalls, the Gold Coast Hinterland is bursting with natural beauty for you to discover.
Lace up your walking shoes and take on a section of the 54-kilometre Great Walk, which covers parts of the Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. If you’re an experienced hiker, take on the whole track over three days (or 72 hours). This walking track features the ancient volcanic landscape of the Tweed Volcano and lush rainforest with relicts of Gondwana flora and fauna.
If you’re looking for a place to cool off, head to Elabana Falls and swim in the natural pools at the bottom of the waterfall. There's plenty of short and scenic options, so check out this list of great hiking trails - or head out on a guided tour and have the locals show you the ropes, from Glow Worm Caves to 4WD adventures.
For unparalleled views of the Gold Coast Hinterland, make your way to Springbrook's famous lookout, the 'Best of All' track. You can reach the lookout via a short drive; when you arrive, you can park just 150 metres of the clearing. For other ways to explore this park, check out our Springbrook how-to guide.
Eat
Head to the 15-acre O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard for a spot of wining and dining. This award-winning, family-operated vineyard is dedicated to boutique wine and experiential dining. Pre-order a gourmet picnic hamper and sit under the silky oak trees, pull up a chair at the dining room which overlooks 6,000 grape vines, or order a cook-your-own barbeque pack in advance to enjoy good food and stellar views of the Canungra Creek. The creek is home to platypus and turtles, so pause a while and spot the cute locals.
Located 30 minutes north-east of Springbrook, on the Mudgeeraba Boomerang Farm Golf Course, is another spot the locals love. Sapphire Bean Coffee Shop serves up a variety of drinks and sweet and savoury treats. Enjoy a delicious coffee, iced drink or smoothie, while taking in the picturesque golfing grounds.
Sweet-tooths should beeline to The Fudge Shop, near Purling Brook Falls, and Binna Burra Teahouse is a great spot for a cuppa and meal. The best place for a pie is The Outpost Cafe in Canungra, while you'll find more elevated fare at The Paddock Restaurant at Hazelwood Estate. Shining light on local produce and beef from their own Wagyu farm, Executive Chef Simon Furley and his team lovingly prepare each plate.
Drink
What would a Gold Coast Hinterland local's guide be without recommendations on where to enjoy a good drink?
For a taste of some of Queensland’s finest wines, nab a picnic table in the leafy garden at Witches Falls Winery and enjoy a tasting with some local cheese. Or, visit Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard & Winery in the Scenic Rim region. As well as its impressive wine list, this property offers a short stroll through the rainforest to the wondrous Glowworm Cave. A must visit for a one-of-a-kind guided glow worm tour through the purpose-built cave, filled with thousands of glowing glow worms.
Or head out for the day with Mount Tamborine’s Wine Tasting Tour where you'll sample impeccable wine along with speciality cheeses and local fudge. With the motto “life is too short to drink bad wines”, this is an experience wine and food lovers won’t want to miss. Bookings are required, so make sure you secure your spot before arrival.
When you’re heading back to the coast, make a pitstop at The Mill Cellars in Mudgeeraba to pick up some innovative beers from Currumbin Valley Brewing. Built in 2017 by two good friends, Luke Ronalds and Peter Wheldon, this farmhouse artisanal brewery creates beers with natural volcanic spring water. A must-try for a true taste of the region.
Shop
Love to shop local? Make your way to Tamborine Mountain and the nearby laid-back town of Beechmont. Here, you can shop to your heart's content at the homeware stores, country markets and local art galleries. Pick up a souvenir to remember this adventure, or purchase a unique gift for a loved one.
When to visit
With a temperate climate (not as hot as Cairns but not as cold as Sydney), the Gold Coast Hinterland boasts incredible weather all year round. There’s never a bad time to book a trip to this breathtaking destination.
How to get there
Using O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat as the arrival point, here are the routes you want to take from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
If departing from Surfers Paradise, expect to be on the road for an hour-and-a-half. Hop on State Route 90 to get to Lamington National Park Road; the retreat will be on your right.
If you’re coming from the Sunshine Coast, head to the M1 to reach State Route 90 followed by Lamington National Park Road. This trip will take three hours.
If travelling from Brisbane, take the Pacific Highway towards Beenleigh then take Exit 38. Follow through State Route 92 and State Route 90 before reaching Lamington National Park Road. This drive will take you approximately two hours.
