Things to Do with Kids on Tamborine Mountain: A Family Guide
Planning a family day trip or weekend getaway to Tamborine Mountain?
Located in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland, Tamborine Mountain is packed with things for families to see and do. From rainforest walks and glow worms to treetop adventures, family attractions, sweet treats, shopping and creative workshops, there's something for kids of different ages and interests.
Whether you're travelling from the Gold Coast, Brisbane or staying on the mountain for a few days, here are some of the best things to do with kids on Tamborine Mountain.
1. Explore Curtis Falls
Start your family adventure with a walk through the beautiful rainforest to Curtis Falls.
The walk gives children the chance to experience Tamborine Mountain's subtropical rainforest, listen for native birds and discover some of the incredible plants and wildlife that call the mountain home.
Reaching the waterfall makes the walk even more exciting for kids and provides a beautiful spot for family photos.
Always stay on designated walking tracks and check current Queensland Parks information and track conditions before heading out.
2. Take on TreeTop Challenge
If your kids love adventure, TreeTop Challenge Tamborine Mountain deserves a place on your itinerary.
Set amongst the trees at Thunderbird Park, TreeTop Challenge offers an exciting way to experience the mountain, with aerial challenges and ziplining amongst the forest.
It's a fantastic activity for adventurous families and older children who enjoy climbing, exploring and a little adrenaline.
Check current age, height and participation requirements directly with TreeTop Challenge when planning your visit.
3. Discover the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves
For something completely different, take the kids to experience the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves.
Located at Cedar Creek Estate, the purpose-built caves provide visitors with an opportunity to see thousands of glow worms in a carefully controlled environment.
A guided experience introduces children to these fascinating little creatures and gives the whole family the opportunity to see their beautiful blue-green glow.
It's educational, unusual and something the kids are likely to remember long after your Tamborine Mountain holiday is over.
It's also a handy activity to have on your itinerary when the weather isn't ideal for spending the entire day outdoors.
Bookings can be popular during weekends, school holidays and public holidays, so check availability before your visit.
4. Walk Above the Rainforest at Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
See Tamborine Mountain's rainforest from an entirely different perspective at Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk.
Families can explore the rainforest along walking trails and elevated walkways through the canopy.
Take your time, look for wildlife and encourage the kids to notice the different plants, trees and sounds of the rainforest.
It's a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty of Tamborine Mountain as a family.
5. Spend Some Time at Thunderbird Park
Thunderbird Park is a popular destination for families visiting Tamborine Mountain, with a range of outdoor experiences and activities.
Depending on what you choose to do, you could easily make Thunderbird Park a significant part of your family day out.
With activities suitable for different ages and interests, it's worth looking at what's available before you arrive and planning the experiences that best suit your family.
6. Make Your Own Candles with Sip & Create Tamborine Mountain
After climbing, walking and exploring, slow things down with a creative experience the family can enjoy together.
At Sip & Create Tamborine Mountain, our candle-making workshops give families the opportunity to sit down, get creative and make something special to take home.
It's not just about making a candle. It's about spending time together, choosing your designs and enjoying the experience of creating something from beginning to end.
Our step-by-step workshops are relaxed and designed to make the creative process enjoyable, even if you've never made a candle before.
Check the individual workshop details when booking for suitability and minimum ages.
We also offer private workshops, making Sip & Create a great option for family celebrations, birthdays and groups visiting Tamborine Mountain together.
7. Explore Gallery Walk with the Kids
No family trip to Tamborine Mountain is complete without spending some time exploring Gallery Walk.
This colourful Tamborine Mountain precinct is packed with specialty shops, delicious treats, gifts, local products and interesting places for both kids and adults to discover.
Make sure you leave enough time to wander. There is much more to Gallery Walk than simply walking from one end to the other.
Mumma Ducks Sweets & Treats
If the kids have a sweet tooth, Mumma Ducks Sweets & Treats is a fun stop to add to your Gallery Walk adventure.
Let the kids browse the tempting selection and choose a special treat to enjoy during your day on Tamborine Mountain.
Little Homebody
Pop into Little Homebody while exploring Gallery Walk and discover a beautiful collection of products and gifts.
It's a lovely place for parents to browse while the family explores the many different stores along the Walk.
German Cuckoo Clock Nest
One of Gallery Walk's most memorable shops for children is the German Cuckoo Clock Nest.
Stepping inside and seeing the incredible collection of traditional cuckoo clocks is an experience in itself. With clocks of different shapes, sizes and designs to discover, it's a fascinating stop for kids and adults alike.
Franquette
When everyone needs a break from exploring, stop at Franquette.
Take some time to sit down, recharge and enjoy something delicious before continuing your Tamborine Mountain adventure.
Tamborine Mountain Distillery
Gallery Walk isn't only about the kids.
Adults can discover Tamborine Mountain Distillery while exploring the precinct and experience another of the distinctive local businesses that make Tamborine Mountain such an interesting destination.
Hinterland Organics
Stop by Hinterland Organics and discover another of the independent local businesses that makes shopping on Tamborine Mountain different from an everyday shopping centre experience.
Eighty8 Interior Designs
For parents who love beautiful interiors and homewares, make time for Eighty8 Interior Designs.
It's another great example of the variety of independent specialty businesses you'll find while wandering along Gallery Walk.
Capanart
Add a little art to your family day out with a visit to Capanart.
Exploring art and creative spaces is a great way to add something different to your itinerary and may even provide a little inspiration before your own creative experience with Sip & Create Tamborine Mountain.
Don't Rush Gallery Walk
One of the best ways to experience Gallery Walk with kids is not to have a strict schedule.
Wander into the shops that catch your attention, stop for something delicious, discover something handmade and let the kids choose their favourite part of the Walk.
Then continue your creative day with a Sip & Create Tamborine Mountain workshop and make something of your own to take home.
8. Stop for a Sweet Treat
A day out with the kids needs at least one sweet stop!
As well as Mumma Ducks Sweets & Treats on Gallery Walk, you'll find plenty of places around Tamborine Mountain where families can stop for something delicious.
Whether it's fudge, ice cream, chocolate, cake or another mountain treat, make it part of the adventure and let the kids choose somewhere that catches their eye while you're exploring.
9. Pack a Family Picnic
Sometimes the simplest family activities are the most memorable.
Pick up some food locally and enjoy a picnic surrounded by Tamborine Mountain's beautiful scenery.
It's an inexpensive way to enjoy the mountain and provides some much-needed downtime between attractions, particularly if you're travelling with younger children.
Bring a picnic rug, plenty of water and let everyone recharge before the next adventure.
10. Turn Your Day Into a Tamborine Mountain Scavenger Hunt
Want to keep younger kids interested while sightseeing?
Create your own Tamborine Mountain scavenger hunt and see if the kids can spot:
• A waterfall
• A giant rainforest tree
• A colourful native bird
• A fern
• A cuckoo clock
• Something handmade
• A piece of art
• A funny shop sign
• A beautiful mountain view
• Something they've never seen before
You could even offer a Tamborine Mountain sweet treat as the prize for completing the list.
11. Make a Weekend of It
There is plenty to do with kids on Tamborine Mountain, so you don't have to squeeze everything into a single day.
Stay overnight and enjoy the mountain at a more relaxed pace.
You could start Saturday with a rainforest walk, take on TreeTop Challenge or visit Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, stop for lunch and spend the afternoon exploring Gallery Walk and getting creative at Sip & Create Tamborine Mountain.
On Sunday, visit the Glow Worm Caves, discover another part of the mountain and stop for a final treat before heading home.
Staying overnight also gives you more time to discover the small businesses, attractions and experiences that make Tamborine Mountain special.
Rainy Day Activities with Kids on Tamborine Mountain
Don't automatically cancel your Tamborine Mountain trip because rain is forecast.
The rainforest can be particularly beautiful in wet weather, and there are still plenty of experiences to consider.
Visit the Glow Worm Caves, explore the shops along Gallery Walk, stop somewhere for a long lunch and book a creative workshop with Sip & Create Tamborine Mountain.
A rainy Tamborine Mountain day can sometimes turn into one of the most memorable days of your trip.
Create a Tamborine Mountain Memory Together
Family trips aren't just about how many attractions you can fit into one day. They're about the things you experience together.
Tamborine Mountain gives families the opportunity to mix adventure, nature, food, shopping and creativity in one destination.
Walk through the rainforest. Discover glow worms. Fly through the trees. Explore Gallery Walk. Eat something delicious. And leave a little time to create something together.
At Sip & Create Tamborine Mountain, we offer candle making, macramé and painting workshops, with public and private experiences available.
So when you're planning your next family day trip or Gold Coast hinterland getaway, come and discover just how much there is to do with kids on Tamborine Mountain.
And before you head home, make something special to remember your mountain adventure.