Places To See

Whether you explore Mount Tamborine before, during or after your stay at the Escarpment Retreat, there are plenty of things to do and see on this iconic mountain razorback. Sample our award winning wines and cheeses, learn master chef cooking techniques, browse second hand book stores, have a round or two of golf, feel the wind riding a horse or reconnect whilst walking in one of our towering rainforests. There really is something for everyone.

Open on the second Sunday of every month at the local Showgrounds, from early in the morning to just after lunch, this well patronised country market features over 200 stalls of home-grown, handmade or home-baked goods inspired from all over the world, but grown and made locally.

Looking for garden gifts? Or perhaps a tour around some of Australia’s many exotic plants? The Birchgrove Nursery is Mt. Tamborine’s biggest garden centre. Their staff are only too happy to discuss your garden’s needs and there is an excellent coffee shop which is part of the establishment.

Using the best seasonal and local products, the Tamborine Cooking School offers a memorable day out where you get to learn how to cook meals using produce from their local on-site organic garden and you get to enjoy some complementary wines too.

For those of you with a sweet tooth, the Fudge Heaven store will more than live up to its name. Made on site, the company use real cream and butter. There are over 40 types of fudge available including ones with real alcohol. The latter are strictly adult only.

The Gallery Works specialises in paper-based art made by local emerging and established artists. Some of them are even famous around the world. There are courses for artists on drawing, sculpture and printmaking. Check the website before visiting.

The German Cuckoo Clock Nest is a German themed clock shop in Gallery Walk that also sells German souvenirs and music. They sell and repair cuckoo, grandfather, wall and mantle clocks.

For many, this is the good stuff. The distillery is hidden in the mountains and offers European style products made in Australia, by Australians using Australian produce. Sample some of their 70 different products on offer.

The Tamborine Mountain Golf Club offers tourists and members, experienced players and newbies alike the chance to play a well laid out 9-hole golf course that comes with buggy and equipment hire facilities, a pro shop, restaurant and bar.

Open on the final Sunday of each month from early in the morning to just after lunch. This is a general market opposite the primary school on Long Road. Well worth checking out if you are around that weekend.

Piccabeen is a second-hand book and magazine shop in Main Street North Tamborine, stocking thousands of books. Costing as little as fifty cents, there’s a great opportunity to find a relaxing read for during your retreat. The shop accepts book donations and the money goes towards protecting the region’s natural habitat.

Stocking around 100 wins and 14 of Queensland’s top wineries, the Queensland Wine Centre is based on the Cedar Creek Estate and offers tasting, lunches, views of Wild Duck Lake and more.

Now you are nicely relaxed, maybe it is time to take a walk and explore what Mount Tamborine has to offer. The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk includes one and a half kilometres of mountain walking including 300 metres of steel bridges suspended over the rainforest itself. This is the longest canopy walk you will find in all of Queensland.

Living up to it’s legend of providing the best coffee on the mountain, folk from Brisbane regularly drive up to get a cup of coffee from this iconic cafe. Just drive up Main Street North Tamborine, where you see the crowd on the left is the Spice Of Life.

Established in 1990, the Mount Tamborine Winery was the first of its kind in the Gold Coast hinterland. Known for its food as well as its wine, it is well worth a visit for some tasting or for a spot of morning tea.

What better to go with some nice new wine than some quality tangy cheese? Witches Chase Cheese is a boutique cheese company specialising in handmade traditional cheese from feta to camembert.

The Mount Tamborine area is only 10-15km west of Southport and about 30km south of Brisbane. In fact, the whole of the Gold Coast is open for day trips and other activities either during your stay at the Escarpment Retreat or prior to it. If you are coming from far away, consider taking a nice relaxing Ventura cruise ship as a way to see Australia then come inland and relax in Tamborine with our award winning vacation retreat.

Explore at your own pace and time across the Scenic Rim with Cycling Tours. Choose from self-guided cycle tours where you can take control of your tour with your chosen companions, or you may also enjoy their customised cycling and multi-sport adventure holidays as they take you to a higher level of adventure and cycling experience.

Take off up in the skies with their many colorful balloons and experience the breathtaking scenery of Mt Tamborine. Hot Air Gold Coast offers a selection of balloon ride packages. Please contact their friendly staff for details.

Enjoy a romantic balloon flight & see amazing views of Mount Tamborine together. Hot Air Balloon Scenic Rim, has flights every day at sunrise, we recommend booking it on your drive to The Escarpment or during your stay.