2023 Xmas, Mt Tamborine

A special Xmas break - without family, the two of us, Dave and Jean.  We booked a lovely little cottage retreat, located in beautifully kept parkland-type gardens and we even had our own Avocado tree at the front door.  Very peaceful and private surroundings. 

We decided to stay for 5 days over the Xmas period as it is an area we hadn't visited since we'd been in Queensland.  It was a good choice as the Summer heat of SE Queensland was unusually unbearable at that time of the year.  We could cook our own or eat out - shops were about a km away.  Dave would cook up a big breakfast (his own ham) and then we would go out and explore for the day.

For those that don't know the area ...

Tamborine Mountain is nestled in the hinterland of the Gold Coast.  The mountain climate, because of its altitude, has a much cooler and less humid climate than that of Gold coast and Brisbane.  Situated high on the mountain plateau and part of the Scenic Rim there are an abundance of green rainforests and beautiful waterfall. 

I took a good pair of walking shoes with intentions of having a leisurely look around the National Parks.  The weather complied and I managed to get to see all the waterfalls and spend some quiet time enjoying all the natural sights and country.

The first waterfall we visited was the Cedar Creek Falls.  It was great for an easy stroll.  Passing through open forest and dry rainforest, we could see the cascading waterfall over the rocks into the swimming pool.  Water was very clear and apparently quite cold.  Very pretty spot.

Cedar Creek Falls

My next walk was to the Witches Falls located within Queensland's first National Park in 1908.

Access to the walking tracks were hard to find and with only one vehicle (Dave's and nobody else is allowed to drive unless he's in the passenger seat), poor telephone coverage and my general lack of orientation skills, I was a bit hindered in finding my way in.  Eventually I found the track and discovered after awhile,  I was walking against the flow of walkers however it still went to the destination.  

The descent was down the steep mountain side through open forest providing some great views.  The ferns and palms growing amongst the rocks and other vegetation were very picturesque.

Cliff- face growth

Boulders strewn from long ago

Beautiful Picabeen Palms

A giant Strangler Fig

It was a dry period so there was no waterfall but it was a very pleasant shaded walk down the mountain through open forest of banksia trees and into a rainforest.  I was fortunate to see the odd bit of wildlife - a largish land mullet (lizard) basking in the odd bit of sunlight and a couple of pademelons (kangaroos).  The rifle bird noise was fairly common throughout.

Sandy Creek - Cameron Falls

This again, was a very pretty and easy walk BUT the rain had started so it was slippery in places.  Also no raincoat but added interest in the trickling creeks and pools.

Palm groves

Trickling water

Moss covered rocks

Photo taken from the viewing platform of the falls.  Pity the vegetation hasn't been cleared for a viewing

Top of Cameron Falls 

Upon returning to the Cottage I discovered some nasty little leeches had lodged themselves around the top of my socks.  You can imagine the screech and David to the rescue!

Gold Coast Motor Museum - Upper Coomera

A Huge Shed, Stanley's Barn.  It appears to be an old barn however it is brand new and has been cleverly built from 100 year old trusses and the internal walls are clad with weatherboards from 80 yr-old Queensland homes.

Anyway, normally I would not have accompanied Dave for the visit  of motoring history but it was raining and cold.  I ended up quite enjoying it  as there were other forms of history including telephones, tins, tools and even period fashion on mannequins.

Dave was thoroughly impressed with what he saw and what was there.  I liked the Elvis car.

Only vehicle that was allowed to be touched.

We found the Castle Glen, winery, distillery during the wet afternoon and spent a whole lot of money there.  I found some gin liquors that took my taste buds, especially the Elderberry one.

Curtis Falls

It was the day after some torrential rain, small trees had fallen over tracks and very slippery conditions.  In hindsight the track should have been closed as it was pretty dicey in places having to detour off the track.  Anyway there was plenty of water coming over the top as in addition to the rain as it is fed by a permanent creek.  It was spectacular with the viewing platform overlooking a large rock pool, and with great views of the falls and the surrounding columnar basalt rock face.

BOULDERS

VINES

CURTIS FALLS

It was a popular track for visitors, as it was by far the most used during the time I was there.

Xmas Day 2023

Dave, Gladdie, TC and I

TC, a longtime friend, very generously invited us to his Apartment, 11th floor on Main Beach at GC. 

Aside from the 'to kill for' views - ocean, Tamborine Mountain and Broad Beach Parklands, he provided a sumptuous dinner that lasted all day!  Prawns, oysters, bugs, scallops - gluttony on display.  The drinks and the company were most pleasant - a beautiful day, thanks Terry and Gladdie.

Xmas night we were entertained by Mother Nature's own beauty and fury.  A STORM swept in slowly from the West and we watched its progress from TC's 11 the floor unit.  It was a light show spectacular which seemed to be all around us at the end.  Thankfully we were safely inside and very merry thank you - oblivious to all the havoc and destruction that was happening out in the hinterland.

The Tamborine Mountain experience was more than I expected - the walks were easy to moderate to wander along, peaceful surroundings, great views off the escarpment, odd walker (to assure me I wasn't lost) and apart from rain one day and leeches it suited me fine.  There were boutique shops, breweries, distilleries, eateries, local produce stalls - plenty to entertain one.  Highly recommended for seniors!