Hinterland in two days: Tamborine, Lamington and glow-worms: Gold Coast itinerary

Duration: 2 days, ~250 km, mountain switchbacks
Who it suits: Adults
Transport: drive, walk
Start: Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
Finish: Natural Bridge: glow-worms at dusk
Pace: active day
Best time: The dry winter months: crisp escarpment views, and early dusk suits the glow-worms
Budget per adult: Skywalk A$21.50 (child 6–17 A$10.50); the national parks are freePrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026

Getting there

Go by car. Tamborine and Lamington take the two days.

The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.

1. Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk~1 h 15 min at the stop
Steel bridges through the rainforest canopy and a cantilever platform hanging over Cedar Creek.
Tip: Entry A$21.50, children 6–17 A$10.50, under 6 free; family (2+2) A$54. Open daily from 9:30, last tickets 16:00, closes 17:00.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 8 min · 4.5 km
2. Gallery Walk: lunch and galleries~1 h 30 min at the stop
The mountain's main strip: galleries, cheese rooms, fudge and cafes: an unhurried lunch hour between forest walks.
Tip: Parking along Long Road is free but fills by midday on weekends.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 6 min · 3 km
3. Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens~1 h at the stop
Creekside gardens tended by volunteers for decades: ponds, a Japanese corner and seasonal bursts of camellias and azaleas.
Tip: Entry is free: drop a donation in the box at the gate.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 25 min · 17 km
4. Canungra: overnight at the foothills~1 h at the stop
A former timber town in the valley. Lamington's gateway: a pub, a few cafes and quiet before tomorrow's switchbacks.
Tip: Fuel up tonight: there are no stations up the mountain.
Open on the map ↗

5. O'Reilly's / Green Mountains~2 h 30 min at the stop
Thirty-six switchback kilometres from Canungra put you in Lamington's Gondwanan rainforest: king parrots around O'Reilly's retreat and the Green Mountains track network.
Tip: Until 31 December 2026 part of the Albert River circuit is closed. Echo Point is reached only from the southern Border Track junction, then you return the same way. The Border Track, Python Rock and Morans Falls are open. Check park alerts before you go.
Open on the map ↗
↓ walk · 15 min · 1 km
6. Morans Falls track~1 h 30 min at the stop
A rainforest track to the escarpment where Morans Creek pitches into the valley: one of Lamington's most photogenic views.
Tip: The lookout faces west. A fine late-light spot if time allows, but don't linger: a long drive is ahead.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 1 h 50 min · 90 km
7. Natural Bridge: glow-worms at dusk~1 h 30 min at the stop
The route's finale in Springbrook's Natural Bridge section: a one-kilometre loop to the arch over Cave Creek. And after dark the cave lights up with one of the country's largest glow-worm colonies.
Tip: Leave Morans Falls by 3pm to make dusk. No torches or flash in the cave; after heavy rain the track may partly close. Check park alerts.
Open on the map ↗

Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.