Dig IT Tamborine Mountain
Kids can climb on board an excavator at Dig IT, a mini excavator park located at Thunderbird Park on Tamborine Mountain.
Dig IT is aimed at kids and the excavators are small. Under 4s need to sit on the lap of an adult and kids 5+ are able to participate on their own.
Each excavator has a platform where parents can stand to help if they want.
While Dig IT says it is for all ages, our kids were 2 of the oldest there. At 8 and 9, they were able to work the machines by themselves and they had a great time after they realized that it was not just for little kids.
We went to the 2:30 pm time slot on Father’s Day and most of the kids were under 4 and sat on their dad’s lap.
Keep reading to find out exactly what to expect at Dig IT Tamborine Mountain.
Important Info for Dig IT
✔️ Purchase your ticket online in advance. Time slots sell out.
✔️ Participants need to wear closed-toe shoes.
✔️ Two-hour long time slots are available beginning at 8:30 a.m. The last time slot of the day begins at 2:30 p.m.
✔️ There are 4 areas and you will get about 25 minutes at each (to be split among your group which includes 1/4 of the participants not just your immediate group).
✔️ Each session is $55. Non-participants do not need a ticket.
Map of Dig IT Tamborine Mountain
Checking in to Dig IT
After purchasing your ticket online, Dig IT sends through a waiver that must be signed before your group can participate. If you do not sign it online, you can sign it upon arrival.
They suggest that you arrive 30 minutes in advance. That is to ensure you find a parking spot and make your way over to the Dig It area which is a few minutes’ walk from the parking lot.
Follow the signs to Dig It, they are clearly marked. You need to cross a bridge.
Once you have arrived at the area, there is a check-in desk.
Each participant will receive an orange vest, including adults. The kids will also get a yellow hard hat though it is just for the photo ops and they do not need to wear it.
Everyone who has signed the waiver, whether they are participating or not, gets a stamp.
Then, you wait until the time slot begins. There are a few places to sit, though as we were the last to arrive, we stood.
When it is time, a staff member arrives and tells you the rules and what to expect. There is a short video as well.
Four Groups at Dig IT
At check-in, you are handed a card with 4 activities on it: RC World, Pro Digger, Wrecking Ball, and Claw & Croc.
Each of these is a station at Dig It.
Everyone is separated into 4 groups and given a colored lanyard to mark their group. The activity card is attached to the lanyard. Once an activity is completed, that spot gets a hole punch.
RC World
We were in the last group, I expect due to our last name. Our first stop was RC World, which is the remote control area.
Three different remote control machines were available including a dump truck and excavators.
Due to the groups being much larger than 3, you have to wait for a turn to participate. Each child got 4 minutes on a machine. When it isn’t your turn, there are free play areas, including one right next to the RC World section.
Each kid got multiple turns, and they all played in the free-play area as well.
To be honest, we thought this area was a bit of a letdown compared to the others, especially as a first stop. The kids ended up loving it, especially when they got to grab a basketball and make a basket.
They also loved the free play area.
Pro Digger
After about 25 minutes, groups are notified that it is time to move to the next area. For us, stop 2 was Pro Digger where kids could move dirt using an excavator.
Each kid gets a few minutes on the digger which they all enjoyed. I wanted to move dirt too!
This area is down a walkway from the free play area and we wanted to wait to see if there was a chance for a second turn, though in the end everyone just got 1 turn.
There are some chairs to sit in while you wait.
Wrecking Ball
For us, stop 3 was Wrecking Ball which is just as fun as it sounds.
A few tires are stacked up with wood blocks crisscrossed on top. The kids start up the machines and use a wrecking ball to try to knock down the blocks and tires. If they knock them down before time is up, the staff will set them up again.
At this point, a few of the younger participants wanted a break and extra turns were available.
If someone ends their turn early, no one gets on that machine until time is called, for safety reasons.
Claw and Croc
Claw and Croc has 2 different activities and kids are able to try both.
Kids can pick up tires and move them to a separate pile during their 4-minute turn on the claw. The Croc has 2-minute-long turns. Kids use a hook to try to catch a pretend crocodile.
The Claw is a lot easier than the Croc.
Depending on your place in line, and how many kids are waiting, you may have an extra go on one of the machines.
Free Time at Dig IT
Dig IT has two different areas for kids to play in while they are waiting for their turn.
On the way in, there is a sandpit filled with construction-themed toys. This is tough for the little ones to pass without having the chance to sit down and play.
Closer to the machines there is another free play area. This one has a coloring station, blocks for building, and diggers that the kids can sit on. Shovels and barrals are also available to play with.
Both of the free time areas were popular during our visit to Dig IT.
Dig IT Wrap-Up
While there is no age limit for Dig IT excavator park at Thunderbird Park on Tamborine Mountain, it is aimed at younger kids. The machines are not large and while they do hold adults, the park is best suited for children.
Each group is given about 25 minutes per station and it depends on how many people are in your group as to how many turns you have. Expect one turn per type of machine.
While you wait, the kids can watch others or play in one of the play areas.
Four different two-hour sessions run at Dig IT each day. There are plenty of other fun things to do at Thunderbird Park and nearby on Tamborine Mountain.
Nearby Accommodations
We have been to Thunderbird Park and Tamborine Mountain many times on day trips, but if you prefer to stay over, there are plenty of options.
Cedar Creek Lodges
Located at Thunderbird Park, the Cedar Creek Lodges range from basic rooms to a 2-bedroom villa that sleeps up to 5.
For those who plan to do a lot of the activities at Thunderbird Park, Cedar Creek Lodges are a great place to stay nearby. There is a restaurant on site.
Camping and Glamping are also available at Thunderbird Park.
Songbirds Rainforest Retreat
Songbirds Rainforest Retreat has a 2-bedroom villa that sleeps up to 5 and is located less than 4 kilometers from Thunderbird Park.
Each room has a seating area and a balcony facing the garden.
Nearby Restaurants
Rainforest Restaurant
Located at Thunderbird Park, Rainforest Restaurant is open for dinner from Thursday to Sunday and is open for lunch on the weekends. They are open for breakfast daily.
In addition to the restaurant, there is a food stall outside at Thunderbird Park.
Franquette Bakery
Open for breakfast and lunch Thursday to Monday, Franquette Bakery is just a few minutes’ drive away from Thunderbird Park and located at Gallery Walk.
Wild Plum Kitchen
A cafe on Gallery Walk, Wild Plum Kitchen is open for breakfast and lunch from Tuesday to Saturday.
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