Tamborine Mountain, with its tranquil rainforests, spectacular natural attractions and breathtaking views, is also home to some of the most idyllic nature walks for families in Queensland.
Only a short 45 minute drive from the centre of Brisbane, the mountain is divided into six sections with walking trails —Cedar Creek, Joalah, MacDonald, Palm Grove, The Knoll and Witches Falls. Below are some of our favourite Mt Tamborine walks to do.
Mount Tamborine Walks – Cedar Creek Area
Cedar Creek Falls Track to Lookout
- LENGTH: 500m return (around 15 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 1 (Easy walk for most families | Sealed track)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Wheelchair and pram accessible with assistance
A walking trail that most families local to Mt Tamborine know well is the Cedar Creek to Lookout track. A gentle 500m return walk that is both wheelchair (with assistance) and pram accessible, the Cedar Creek Falls Track will lead you to a lookout that provides picturesque views of the gorge and the waterfalls and the rock pools below.
It is particularly stunning when the area has seen recent rainfall and the waterfall is at its most powerful.
Cedar Creek Falls Track to Rock Pools
- LENGTH: 1.1km return (around 30 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines, stairs and slippery rocks)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
One of the most popular places to visit on Mount Tamborine (especially in summer) is the beloved Cedar Creek Rock Pools. Continuing from the lookout listed above, the Cedar Creek Falls track descends a further 550m down, passing beneath a eucalypt forest canopy, before reaching the rock pools themselves.
Scramble over the rocks and enjoy a dip to cool down (best done after some decent rain) before ascending along the same trail to the starting point. Note that access to some parts of the rock pools is restricted.
Mount Tamborine Walks – Joalah Area
Curtis Falls Track
- LENGTH: 1.1km return (around 30 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines and stairs)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
The serene Curtis Fall track may be only a short 1.1km return, but it is a grade 3 trail and so the casual walk may still give you a quick workout.
Travelling from the surrounding eucalypt forest to a lush rainforest landscape, the viewing platform here rewards visitors with an outstanding overview of the falls and rock pools below.
Swimming is prohibited in the Curtis Falls rock pools, but it is for a very special reason. The area is a critical glow worm and platypus habitat, so if you are there at the right time and remain relatively quiet you may even spot some of their delightful displays.
Lower Creek Circuit
- LENGTH: 2.5km return (around 1 hour walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines and stairs)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Branching off the Curtis Falls track, the Lower Creek circuit crosses Cedar Creek before passing a giant strangler fig. The magnificent gum trees that tower majestically beside the trail are one of its true highlights. The end of the Lower Creek Circuit loop involves a shallow creek crossing, with a natural rock pathway offering those who don’t want to get their feet wet a dry pathway across.
Mount Tamborine Walks – MacDonald Area
MacDonald Rainforest Circuit
- LENGTH: 1.4km return (around 30 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines and stairs)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
This short walk follows a path through a lush rainforest containing towering strangler figs, ferns and palms. This is an excellent bushwalk experience for families, with many nature-spotting opportunities.
Mount Tamborine Walks – Palm Grove Section
Palm Grove Circuit
- LENGTH: 2.7km circuit (around 1 hour walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Rugged trail | suitable for children)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Both Palm Grove Avenue and Curtis Road provide entrances to the Palm Grove Circuit at Mt Tamborine.
If you feel fit, the steeper Curtis Road route via stairs may be your preference. Otherwise, the pathway to the circuit from Palm Grove Avenue offers a more gentle descent.
The trail itself, named after the piccabeen palm that grows abundantly in this section, is graded 4 due to its somewhat rugged pathway, but the walk itself is an easy and enjoyable one that the entire family can manage. Walk beneath the tall, skinny piccaneen palms and emergent strangler figs before entering the ‘cathedrals of the forest’, where the giant buttressed bases of carrabeens lie.
Jenyns Circuit
- LENGTH: 4.8km return (around 1.5 hours walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Rugged trail | suitable for children)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
The only way to access Jenyns Circuit is via the Palm Grove Circuit trail. An extension for anyone looking to explore this stunning area a little more, the Jenyns Circuit route is well-graded but does contain some steeper sections. With some steep cliff edges along the way, keep an eye on the kids as you wander through here. Explore the eucalyptus forest, hoop pines, brush box and grey gums, and the grove of ancient cycads.
Mount Tamborine Walks – The Knoll Section
Sandy Creek Circuit
- LENGTH: 2.6km return (around 1 hour walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines and rugged sections)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
The Sandy Creek Circuit in the Knoll Section of Mt Tamborine is a beautiful scenic pathway to both Cameron Falls and the Cameron Falls Lookout.
The gentle walk is well-maintained and signposted, perfect for families who love to be immersed in nature. Discover small creek beds, learn about the rainforest trees that thrive here and clamber over the large, mossy boulders surrounding you.
The track can be traversed in both directions, but we recommend going in a clockwise direction so that you can finish off at Cameron Falls – on the right of the trail. The circuit will take you to the top of the falls, which is spectacular to see; however, there are no safety barriers at the head of the waterfall, so please use sound judgement and keep little ones close.
Mount Tamborine Walks – Witches Falls
Witches Fall Circuit
- LENGTH: 3.6km return (around 1 hour walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Moderate Grade trail | suitable for children)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
The Witches Falls Circuit is a grade 4 walk that passes many seasonal lagoons. Best experienced after heavy rain, the full lagoons come to life with various insect and frog species, with the falls also more spectacular at this time.
The track zigzags down the mountainside, through an open forest of banksia trees and into rainforest with giant strangler figs. Witches Falls only flows after recent rain and is best viewed from the lookout platform, accessed via a 200m detour from the primary circuit.
Witches Trace Track
- LENGTH: 2.6km return (around 1 hour walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Moderate Grade trail | suitable for children)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
This track branches off the Witches Falls circuit and can be challenging to navigate in parts, thanks to large boulders and slippery, loose rocks. Pass Witches Falls lookout and on through the rainforest with large red cedar trees and eucalypt forest. Return along the same track to rejoin the Witches Falls circuit.
Along with the many breathtaking walks you can enjoy on Mt Tamborine, there is an abundance of other nature-filled activities you can share with your family while here. For more ideas, you should also check out our article on How To Spend a Family Weekend on Mount Tamborine.
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