Spring on the plateaux

Spring has sprung, and the thoughts of lots of couples turn to a relaxing overnight weekend getaway, or longer midweek break before the school holidays, which start on September the 21st and go through to October 6th for Queenland, and from September the 28th through to October 13th for New South Wales.

Mt Tamborine

For work weary Brisbanites, the Tamborine Plateau offers a welcome respite from the daily grind of the big smoke, away from the traffic and noise of the city.

Also known as “Tamborine”, “Tamborine Mountain” or “Mount Tamborine”, and being less than 45 minutes drive south of Brisbane via the M1 Pacific Motorway,  with a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes, Tamborine is a popular local destination for a relaxing break.

Gold Coast sunset from Mount Tamborine

Actually comprising 3 areas: North Tamborine, Eagle Heights and Mount Tamborine; each locality has its own distinct features, which can be enjoyed using any one of a number of “hop on – hop off” tour operators.

For anyone wanting to leave their hideaway, there are plentiful vantage points and picnic spots offering magnificent views to the Gold Coast to the east and the national parks of the Scenic Rim to the west.

Four major waterfalls can be reached with relative ease, with walks ranging from a 400 metres stroll, to a 2.5 klm hike through the rainforest, to arrive at waterfall viewing platforms or lookouts.

Popular accommodation options (via Booking.com affiliate links) include:

1. Escarpment Retreat & Day Spa
2. Curtis Falls Mountain Spa Retreat
3. Pethers Rainforest Retreat
4. Tamborine Gardens
5. Amore Mt Tamborine
6. Cedar Creek Lodges
7. Witches Falls Cottages
8. The Polish Place
9. Avocado Sunset Bed & Breakfast
10. Curtis Falls Cottage
11. The Bearded Dragon Boutique Hotel
12. Mt Tamborine Stonehaven Guest House
13. Lisson Grove

For more information about the Tamborine Plateau, visit the Big Volcano Places Guide – Tamborine Mountain

If Tamborine Plateau is the place for European inspired gardens and pleasant strolls through rainforest to waterfall lookouts, then Springbrook Plateau says “I’ll see your rockpools and raise you 100 metre waterfall plunges.”

Springbrook

Waterfalls cascade over the spectacular cliffs from this plateau, while you can take your pick of lookouts perched on the edge of the precipitous canyons, which may also offer scenic views to the Gold Coast cityscape.

Purling Brook Falls and canyon panorama

8 walking tracks, ranging from short 30m strolls suitable for wheelchairs, up to a 17km bushwalking trail hike, provide visitors with the opportunity to experience a range of forest types including temperate and subtropical rainforest, through to eucalypt forests and montaine heath.

One of the most popular short walks is to “Best of All Lookout”.  Although many people assume it’s because of the impressive views over the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning (Wollumbin), to the south; to me, it’s the short walk (600 metres), on a paved path, past an ancient stand of Antarctic Beech, and the landscaped effect of nature’s own efforts.

While the lookout is the desired destination for most people, just pausing and taking time to look around at the rainforest landscape surrounding the path, will sharpen your senses.  

Please note, that at 900m altitude, the plateau can also be up to 5°C cooler than the coastal plain and valleys below, so don’t forget to bring a long sleeved shirt or jacket with you, in case it gets chilly.

And even when it’s fine and sunny down on the coast, mist and clouds can roll in and shroud views from the lookouts.  But that’s part of the magic, especially on the stroll to Best of All Lookout.  You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

Popular accommodation options (via Booking.com affiliate links) include:

1. Purling Brook Falls Gwongorella
2. Springbrook Mountain Chalets
3. Dancing Waters Cottage
4. Springbrook Lyrebird Retreat
5. The Mouses House Rainforest Retreat

For more information about Springbrook Plateau, visit the Big Volcano Places Guide – Gold Coast Hinterland

See also (Department of Environment and Science) Springbrook National Park for more details about the national park and walking tracks.

UPDATE 20/10/19: Due to bushfires Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park and Gold Coast Great Walk is closed due to bushfires in early September..  Applies until 20 December 2019.

.  For more details see https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/17235.html

Alstonville

Located on the Bruxner Highway about half way between Lismore and Ballina, many visitors to the region make a day trip to the Alstonville Plateau to take in the stunning views, and to visit popular local attractions like Summerland House, and Victoria Park Nature Reserve, a “Big Scrub” remnant.

Victoria Park Nature Reserve entrance, Alstonville

Despite being on the southern flank of the Tweed Volcano complex, the Alstonville Plateau appears to be around 20 million years older, although it’s believed to have evolved from the region moving over the same “hotspot” responsible for the Tweed Shield Volcano.

As a result, the soil type is also distinct from that of the Tweed Caldera, and the region is known for rolling hills of macadamia orchards, which are plentiful around the smaller villages leading to Alstonville.

The village is also famous for Tibouchina blossoms putting on a show with their vibrant purple flowers in late summer and autumn.  One variety – Tibouchina ‘Alstonville’ was cultivated by the late Ken Duncan, who was a resident and Tibouchina enthusiast.

While Spingbrook and Tamborine are popular for couples, Alstonville and surrounds offer more family friendly options, with fully self contained cottages and holiday rentals available.

And being less than 30 minutes drive from Ballina, means that a day at the beach is a relaxing option for families and couples alike.

Popular accommodation options (via Booking.com affiliate links) include:

1. Alstonville Country Cottages
2. Alstonville Settlers Motel
3. Arabella Garden Inn – Wollongbar
4. Lavender Cottage
5. Maggie’s on Green
6. Tallaringa Views

For those on a road trip, or a road nomad on the “Big Lap”, then Alstonville Showground provides powered and non-powered, pet friendly RV suitable sites.

For more information about Alstonville Plateau, please visit the Big Volcano Places Guide – Alstonville

Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport is less than 30 minutes drive from Alstonville, and and Gold Coast Airport  is 45 minutes drive from most Springbrook and Tamborine Plateau destinations, with car hire or private car/limousine  transfers available.

Affiliates Disclosure: Some of our post links above, and web site links maybe “affiliate links.”

This means that if you click on a link and purchase an item or make a booking, we may get an affiliate commission or payment.  Links will usually open in a new tab or window.