11 of the finest Mt Tamborine accommodation picks

Kristie Lau-AdamsBy Kristie Lau-Adams
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Jaw-dropping scenery and rainforest adventures are calling from the finest Mt Tamborine accommodation picks.

Foggy mountaintops and whimsical cottages mightn’t be the first images that come to mind when you think of the Gold Coast, but the city’s tropical hinterland is full of surprises. Mt Tamborine, a 40 to 50-minute drive from the string of epic beaches, is a must-experience if you’re keen to ditch the surf and head for the hills in the quest for something new. Offering delightful Mt Tamborine accommodation mainly for loved-up couples but also for families, the storybook town and its boutique wineries, art galleries and rainforest treks are eternally charming.

1. Hampton Estate Wines

the exterior of Hampton Estate Wines
Hampton Estate Wines is surrounded by a lush floral landscape. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Price: $$

Turn an afternoon of wine tasting into an all-night affair at Hampton Estate Wines , where couples-friendly Mt Tamborine accommodation is offered in the form of eight elegant studio suites. The estate is a popular pit-stop on board a winery tour of the region as the team’s Hampton Lane range of classic and premium whites and reds is far too easy to drink, and there’s also a beautiful restaurant, built inside a converted church, that offers a seasonal set lunch menu on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The suites themselves, inspired by the seaside style of New York’s Hamptons scene, are worth plenty of your time, each fitted with a plush queen bed, fireplace, balcony, modern bathrooms with bathtubs and high ceilings. The Deluxe picks also feature spa baths. In addition to the restaurant, there’s a whisky bar open on Friday evenings, plus you can take your drinks onto a great big lawn where Bocce and Finska can both be played, if you’re game.

2. The Polish Place

Price: $$

For a couple’s escape that’s truly out of the ordinary, The Polish Place pays tribute to the European nation through five cute timber cottages and a much-adored dining space. The Mt Tamborine accommodation, conceptualised by Polish-born Ania Sowter and her husband Phil, feels like a time warp as the owners’ intimate knowledge of Polish hospitality and cuisine transports guests to a foreign world.

The double-storey cottages feature large timber decks offering spectacular vantage points across the region, fireplaces, spa baths within the lounge areas (wild, right?), loft bedrooms, rainfall showers, laundry facilities and kitchenettes stocked with a complimentary breakfast hamper.

If you’re staying more than three nights, they also throw a gourmet picnic hamper into the mix. Timber furniture and country-inspired furnishings create homely stays, made even more comfortable with a 12pm check-out time. And before you leave, be sure to sample the restaurant’s lunch menu from Wednesday to Sunday, featuring Polish classics like roast duck with cherries, pork hock and soul-warming soups.

3. Pethers Rainforest Retreat

a vintage couch with glass panels reflecting lush greenery in the background at Pethers Rainforest Retreat
The glass panels reveal the lush greenery surrounding the property.

Price: $$$

Engulf yourself in nature with one of the 10 luxurious treehouses at Pethers Rainforest Retreat , a boutique Mt Tamborine hotel that offers fairytale accommodation for lovebirds. Five-metre-high glass panelling within the living and dining spaces means its sensational surroundings flow right into the villas, creating the perfect backdrop for lazy afternoons cuddled up by the fireplace.

A soft king bed, spa bath for two, and cosy balconies heighten the romance, plus in-room massages and spa treatments can be arranged, as can a string of adorable gestures including rose petal baths surrounded by candles, celebratory cakes, and bouquets of long-stemmed roses.

There are several dining options on-site, including the award-winning, 11-table a la carte Pethers Rainforest Restaurant, open on Saturday night for dinner, and the less formal Lodge, which offers sharing plates, drinks, and a lovely high tea during lunch hours from Monday to Friday.

4. Mountaintop Queenslander Airbnb

a dining table inside Mountaintop Queenslander Airbnb
Mountaintop Queenslander Airbnb is built for families.

Price: $$$$

It’s the rural escape dreams are made of, an impeccably styled four-bedroom manor situated atop a mountain with not another soul in sight. The Airbnb property , offering serene views across the Great Dividing Range, is even pet-friendly, built on a working farm that provides plenty of space for visiting families.

Beautiful landscaping and French Provincial styling, throwing plenty of quilted fabrics and a palette of white, cream, and grey splashed with fresh blooms, add elegance while two spectacular decks that overlook the misty abyss below, a swimming pool, fireplace, eight-seater dining table, freestanding bathtubs and a gourmet kitchen complete with bifold windows opening out to one of the decks, provide all the comfort.

5. Tamborine Mountain Glades

complete amenities inside the Woodlands Glamping Tent at Cedar Creek Lodges
The tent comes with cosy facilities and entertainment amenities. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Price: $$-$$$

Tend to easily tire of doing nothing? This Mt Tamborine accommodation is situated smack bang in an outdoor activity playground, providing loads of entertainment for adventure-seekers. Offering two large lodges housing with varied room sizes, two, three or four-bedroom self-contained lodges, and some of the region’s most buzzed-about glamping, Tamborine Mountain Glades (formerly Cedar Creek Lodges) sits within Thunderbird Park, 112 hectares of sub-tropical rainforest filled with ziplining, laser skirmish, mini golf, biking, tree top challenges and more.

The self-contained lodges feature country-inspired furnishings, full kitchens, comfortable lounge areas and modern bathrooms, plus fireplaces in some, while the separate rooms span from super minimal with walk-in showers, bar fridges and basic kitchen gear, to luxurious with a courtyard and jacuzzi.

The 11 Woodlands Glamping tents are extra special, as even the most basic option provides a king bed, ensuite with open-air shower, TV, day bed and bar fridge. The most extravagant comes with a private plunge pool and outdoor kitchen. The Rainforest Restaurant & Lounge Bar is on hand to cater for rumbling bellies, plus there’s the Terrace Kiosk for lighter meals and snacks. Spa treatments can also be arranged if you’re staying in one of the spa rooms.

6. Verandah House Country Estate

a look inside the bedroom of Verandah House Country Estate
Verandah House Country Estate shows off a dreamy interior.

Price: $$$$

A boutique Mt Tamborine hotel, playing home to just eight suites, Verandah House Country Estate offers dreamy spaces for couples. Filled with designer interiors and magazine shoot styling, each bespoke room is undeniably beautiful.

Ralph Lauren furnishings are scattered against French oak, plush textures, and elegant artworks, as well as fireplaces, king beds, mini bars stocked with local goodies and a continental breakfast, kitchenettes, and spacious lounge rooms.

Save some downtime for the magnesium mineral pool or perhaps the property’s infrared sauna, stone fire pit or spectacular cedar hot tub overlooking rolling hills. Spa treatments can also be arranged, plus there’s a community kitchen if you want to whip up a full meal, and cafes and restaurants are located a short drive away.

7. The Rustic Greenhouse

a look inside the interior filled with plants at The Rustic Greenhouse
The charming accommodation is full of creature comforts.

Price: $$

If it’s just you and your better half in desperate need of some peace and quiet, The Rustic Greenhouse , an Airbnb in Mt Tamborine, offers a soothing studio oasis.

Snug, yet fitted with creature comforts including a fireplace, deep bathtub within a subway-tiled bathroom that’s closed off from the bed, a deck speckled with lush green plants, a smart TV, coffee machine, complimentary continental breakfast, and free wi-fi, the space is designed for couples to retreat from the outside world and slow down.

But if the quiet life gets too much, hop on one of the complimentary bikes and pedal into Gallery Walk, the main strip of town situated just minutes away, to find all the eateries and galleries you’ll need to get your activity fix.

8. The Tamborine Boutique

Price: $$$

The new boutique accommodation on the block (at least, it will be in December 2024), The Tambourine is a place to relax, recharge and indulge. Placed in the middle of Mount Tamborine’s lush rainforests, this is the new redevelopment of The Tamborine Motel (a historic hacienda-style motel built in 1978). Now owned by Comuna Collective, the thoughtful new design is intended to keep the original bones and pay homage to the original architecture.

When it opens, you’ll find relaxing neutrals in intimate guestrooms, each with its own balcony and incredible views of the surrounding nature.

9. The Escarpment Retreat

a huge couch inside The Escarpment Retreat
Relax in the expansive living space.

Price: $$$

One of the few Mt Tamborine accommodation options catering to both families and couples, The Escarpment Retreat is a gem for plenty more reasons. Set on a 1.6-hectare property with its own fairy tale creek and showstopping views across the city, the retreat consists of couples-only bed and breakfast villas, and the family-friendly, self-contained, three-bedroom Edge House built on a cliff face.

The villas feature sunken living areas, fireplaces, granite kitchenettes, double spa baths and balconies, while the Edge House is the real MVP. An enormous, partially enclosed outdoor deck is fitted with a fireplace, as is the master bedroom which also comes with an ensuite and jacuzzi, and the main lounge room (that’s three fireplaces in total), and there’s a fully equipped kitchen with a wood fire stove and a grocery store conveniently located just a few steps away.

All guests can experience the property’s divine day spa, offering a range of massages and treatments, plus there’s also a private cinema room to be found.

10. Shambala Estate

a romantic bedroom setup inside Shambala Estate
Shambala Estate is perfect for honeymooners.

Price: $$

Don’t be surprised to spy a bride or groom dotting your horizon at Shambala Estate – it’s a hit on the local wedding circuit thanks to its quaint chapel, lush gardens, and grand water features.

The couples-friendly Mt Tamborine accommodation offers four cottages on its 2.2-hectare property, positioned far enough away from each other to feel as though you’re totally alone.

Each self-contained cottage, decorated with soft hues and furnishings, features high ceilings, a private balcony, a double bathtub, a king bed, a fireplace, a fully stocked kitchenette, and a TV. Make the time to wander its tropical rainforest surroundings, where you’ll find trickling ponds, a pebbled bridge, and a picture-perfect gazebo.

11. Mountain Sanctuary B&B

Mountain Sanctuary B&B mt tamborine accommodation
Relax in old-world elegance.

Price: $$

To be close to two National Park entrances and only 500 metres from the area’s popular Gallery Walk shopping precinct, Mountain Sanctuary B&B is the perfect choice.

With just three suites, you’ll never feel crowded. Rooms have an old-world elegance with garden views plus private spas and balconies in every one, while a communal library and fireplace encourage mingling, if you wish. A full continental breakfast is served each morning (which is really quite generous), although there’s also a communal kitchenette if you’d rather do your own thing.

Guests laud the friendly service for being the perfect blend of friendly, helpful and inviting without being overbearing or intrusive. With a beautiful location and forest birds providing the soundtrack, it truly is a getaway.

For more insider tips on the Gold Coast, check out our ultimate travel guide to Gold Coast.

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.