The scenic rim

posted in: Photography, Travel | 4

Imagine a massive volcano. No, bigger. Even bigger. Yep, more like that, with ash boiling into the atmosphere, and red hot lava oozing down the slope like icing on a cake. But that was twenty million years ago. The hot spot that created it moved on and the two kilometre high peaks surrounding the caldera began to erode. Here’s the story. These days the remains of the volcano rise above the plain of the Gold Coast, south of Brisbane, where they provide a cool, refreshing contrast to the brash and vibrant coastal strip.

We visited friends who live in the Mt Tamborine area, and they took us on a whirlwind tour of some of the sites. We drove  a meandering, ear-popping road up the mountainside from the plain. From the top the high rises of the coastal strip lined up along the Gold Coast beaches are clearly visible.

The Gold Coast from the mountain
The Gold Coast from the mountain

Mt Tamborine boasts gorgeous gardens, rainforest and waterfalls. But it has been dry of late, so unfortunately the creeks and rivers have contracted. Still, you can imagine the volume of water which could crash down through this valley.

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One of the rock pools at Cedar Creek

On the other side of the caldera, looking inland, intrepid souls launch hang gliders or paragliders off steep, grassy slopes. It was a great day for it, not too windy, not dead calm.

Paragliding
This paraglider is just about to launch

We visited the Skywalk, which gives a different view of the rainforest from a gantry raised high in the canopy. Then you walk back amongst the tree trunks to your starting point. Once again, more water would have made the experience even more special. Not recommended for those afraid of heights.

Strangler fig in the rainforest
Strangler fig in the rainforest
The dry creek bed
The dry creek bed

We stopped at St Bernard’s pub for a drink. The garden is absolutely gorgeous and I would have taken a walk to St Bernard’s Falls if I’d had any faith there might be water there. At my time of life, without a guaranteed reward at the bottom, a long steep slope isn’t particularly inviting.

The view from the garden
The view from the garden
The garden St Bernard's
The garden St Bernard’s

All in all, Mt Tamborine is a beautiful place. Walk under the canopy of the rainforest and the temperature drops ten degrees. It’s obvious why it’s a mecca for ‘new age’ types. The village we visited had rows of shops devoted to the usual eclectic collection of clothing, coffee, cuckoo clocks and cafes. You can have your future told, and/or visit wineries, breweries and cheese-making facilities, as well as pubs and restaurants. You’ll need patience, though. The roads were crowded with day trippers – but it was a Saturday. Weekdays (non-school holidays) would probably be better. All the information can be found online at sites like this one.

4 Responses

  1. MonaKarel

    Rain forests and dry stream beds all at once. Great scenery, lovely country. And just think, when that volcano does choose to erupt again.

    • Greta

      I’m certain they’re all waiting for rain. Can’t have rainforest without it.

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