Mount Tamborine or Tamborine Mountain is under 30 minutes from the Gold Coast beaches yet it looks and feels just like a quaint, mountain-top village. Enjoy the tea shops, cake stalls, brewery and specialist cheese shop and wander through the scenic township. Take in the clean mountain air while you visit the many unique attractions the area has to offer like the Glow Worm Caves, Treetop Challenge and Canyon Flyer. 

This Hinterland is a beautiful green backdrop to the golden sands of the coastal strip and offers visitors a myriad of activities to enjoy. Stay in quaint B&B's, join a winery tour, explore the many natural wonders and bunker down for a good cup of tea (or pint) at one of the many scenic restaurants, cafes and pubs. In spite of its proximity to the glitzy coastal strip, the Hinterland is a change of pace with tranquil mountain views and a calmer atmosphere.

Adventure joins nature at Cedar Creek Lodges at Thunderbird Park on Tamborine Mountain. Thunderbird Park is perfect for a family day out or school holiday experience. This 112-hectares rainforest property is ideal for day trips and longer holidays. There's so much to do here with mini golf, laser shooting games, fossicking for ancient Thundereggs, horse riding and so much more. You won't want to come for just one day.

Sitting pretty on the Lamington Plateau of the McPherson Range is 20,600 hectares of subtropical rainforest. The area was saved from logging and farming back in 1915. The area is known the whole state over for its waterfalls, rock formations, walking tracks, ancient flora and elusive fauna. The park was declared 4 years after the O'Reilly family settled in the area and since then the family has welcomed visitors to their isolated mountain home.

Driving through the winding mountain-side roads of the Hinterland can be an awe-inspiring and thrilling adventure as you make your way from one National Park to the next, stopping at all the country towns, lookouts and roadside stalls. If you like the view of the world from behind a windscreen or you appreciate the winding mountain roads then you simply must get out and do a scenic drive. We've put together a few options!

Enjoy this beautiful region on foot and trek through the rainforest, under waterfalls and the ancient rock formations which wildlife, such as the mysterious glow worm, call home. With hundreds of square kilometres of bushland, stretching from Mt Tamborine in the north, down south to the NSW border, the number of treks you can do is really only limited to the amount of time you have and the thickness of the tread on your boots.

With beautiful weather pretty much all year round, visiting Natural Attractions and Farms on the Gold Coast are popular with both tourists and locals. You can book a tour which will take you to one of the beautiful wonders up in the Hinterland or visit a 'working' farm to get a feel for the Aussie lifestyle. To experience some of this beauty first, we recommend trying out some of these great farm tours and natural attractions! 

As one of Queensland's fastest growing wine regions, the Gold Coast hinterland is making its mark. With a range of wineries located at Mount Tamborine, Mount Nathan, Canungra, Scenic Rim and Lamington, you can fill a couple of days visiting them all. Go on a day trip to the major wineries so you can enjoy a few tasty drops and some delicious food and views at the cellar doors whilst being driven around in air-conditioned comfort.

These Gold Coast hinterland tours will let you experience this untouched gem that provides a refreshing, natural break from the normal expectations of glitz and glamour that is just waiting to be explored! Behind the Gold Coast's amazing beaches, city skyline and meandering waterways lies an impressive range of rolling hills and hinterland mountains. Check out our list of picks of Hinterland Tours.

Choose to stay away from the beach scene when you stay at Gold Coast Hinterland. There's a wonderful range of guest houses, bed & breakfasts, luxury rainforest apartments and eco villas. See our picks for the best accommodation providers and book your accommodation online.