29 Fun Things To Do On Tamborine Mountain With Kids

Are you planning a trip to Tamborine Mountain with kids?

Tamborine Mountain provides more than a day’s worth of things to do.

We have been to Tamborine Mountain multiple times on day trips, and we keep going back for more adventures.

Just an hour south of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain is an easy escape from the city and the perfect place to spend the day outside with kids.

Every member of our family enjoys a day at Tamborine Mountain. We have driven down to hike to waterfalls and celebrate special events by participating in some of the fun activities that take place at Thunderbird Park, including ziplining, fossicking, and an excavator course.

After visiting more than a handful of times, we are still finding new and fun things to do with kids on Tamborine Mountain.

Keep reading to find out where to go on your trip to Tamborine Mountain.

Hiking and Easy Walks

Go For a Hike

The most obvious thing to do, and one of our favorites, is to take the kids on a hike on Tamborine Mountain.

Can you swim on Tamborine Mountain? There are a few waterfalls where you can swim at Tamborine Mountain.

Be careful and check for signs before swimming.

Curtis Falls

A 1.5-kilometer hike through the rainforest includes a platform view of Curtis Falls.

There is no swimming at Curtis Falls.

Witches Falls

Witches Falls Circuit is 3.1 kilometers long and takes about an hour to hike.

There is not a lot of water among the rocks at Witches Falls, but swimming is allowed.

Sandy Creek Circuit

A 2.6-kilometer circuit that includes a platform viewing of a waterfall.

Cedar Creek Falls

Hike 1.1 kilometers to the waterfall, or just 500 meters to see the waterfall.

There are rocks near the waterfall that the kids love to climb, and swimming holes for those who wish to jump in on a hot day.

Rainforest Walk

Set in 30 acres of privately owned rainforest, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a 1.5-kilometer walk both on land and high above the ground.

There are family tickets available, and it is a paid walk.

Read more about our adventures at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and the Glow Worm Caves.

Glow Worm Caves

Walk down to the Glow Worm Caves at Cedar Creek Estate with a guided tour for the only chance to see glow worms in Queensland during the day.

After entering the cave, there is a short film, and then you can walk through the dark caves.

The caves will be extremely dark. My kids were a little nervous, but I promised to hold their hands the whole time.

While they say that sightings are not 100% guaranteed, we saw a bunch of glow worms in the cave, and the information we learned was very interesting.

Bookings are essential, and times do sell out.

Before or after your tour, walk down to Frog Hollow and look at a variety of frogs and other creatures.

Things To Do at Thunderbird Park with Kids

Thunderbird Park is our favorite place to go with kids on Tamborine Mountain. We took the kids zip lining, crystal mining, and Thunderegg fossicking for my daughter’s 7th birthday, and they beg to go back.

There is so much to do at Thunderbird Park, you don’t even have to leave the property. They offer multiple forms of accommodation if you want to spend more than just a day there.

In addition to the items below, there is swimming at rock pools, pickleball, and a hike to a waterfall available at Thunderbird Park.

Zip Line at Tree Top Adventures

Kids as young as 3 can fly through the trees on a junior zip-lining course at Tree Top Adventures.

The Junior Course is designed for kids 3-7, and those 8+ can go on the regular course.

Tree Top Adventures Junior Ziplining Course is open on weekends and Queensland school holidays. Families can choose from three 2-hour time periods: 9 am-11 am, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, 2 pm-4 pm.

Older kids and teens can go on the Canyon Flyer Zip Lining Course as long as they meet height and weight requirements.

It is a 3-hour tour that includes 7 ziplines and a 4WD Jeep ride through the rainforest to begin your adventure.

Read our review on Tree Top Adventures Junior Ziplining Course.

Adventure Park High Ropes Course

In addition to zip-lining, Thunderbird Park has an Adventure high ropes course that includes more than 100 challenges and 11 flying foxes, plus a giant swing.

Children 7+ can participate.

Those who want to play all day can book a joint Adventure Park High Ropes Course with Canyon Flyer Zip Lining, but there is a minimum weight for the Canyon Flyer Zip Lining course.

Unfortunately, my youngest does not meet the weight limit. My kids have completed the Adventure Park High Ropes Course. It can be challenging, but they loved it.

Adventure Park is open daily, but check for specific times as they vary depending on the day. My advice is to go earlier in the day, as you can stay as long as you want once you are on the course.

Thunderegg Fossicking

The Thunderegg Mine at Thunderbird Park is an open-air mine, not in an underground cave.

Hike up to the mine with a bucket and a pick, and dig for thundereggs, which are similar to geodes.

The Thunderegg Mine is open daily, and bookings are essential.

Children under 4 can mine for free. Adults can pay a discounted price to supervise.

Read our review of Thunderegg Fossicking and Crystal Mining at Thunderbird Park.

Crystal Mining

Purchase a bag of crystal-filled sand and use the sieve and water stream to find the crystals.

This is best for younger kids.

The Crystal Mine is open daily, and bookings aren’t required.

Dig IT

Kids can sit and operate a real excavator at Dig IT Tamborine Mountain at Thunderbird Park.

Those under 5 need to sit on a parent’s lap, while anyone 5+ can operate the machine on their own.

There are 4 stations at Dig IT where kids can dig dirt, knock over items with a wrecking ball, and grab tires to move.

Read about our day at Dig IT and what to expect there.

Fun Fair

Open daily, choose from paddle boats, water bikes, go-karts, and 4WD buggy rides. Prices vary based on the activity and the length of time.

There is a bouncy castle available at the Fun Fair as well.

Adventure Mini Golf

Open daily, the Adventure Mini Golf has 3 holes at each green, one for beginners, one for intermediate golfers, and another for professionals.

The putt-putt course has lots of traps and obstacles and is fun for all ages.

Laser Skirmish

Anyone under 18 requires parental permission to participate in Laser Skirmish, which is outdoor laser tag.

Bookings are essential, and at least 6 people need to be signed up for a time period for it to run.

Laser tag does not hurt, and the game is recommended for those school-age and older.

Prices vary due to the number of players.

Fairy Tale Farmers Pony Rides

Children under 50 kilograms can take a pony ride with Fairy Tale Farmers.

Pony rides range in price depending on the length of time.

Lorikeet Bird Feeding

Join in on the lorikeet feeding, which is held daily at 2 pm.

The bird feeding is free.

Our family participated in a lorikeet feeding at Currumbin National Park, which you can read more about.

Enjoy the Outdoors with Kids on Tamborine Mountain

Hang Glider Lookout

Whether there are hang gliders there or not, the Hang Glider lookout offers beautiful views.

It does get busy and windy, and we definitely suggest keeping little ones close as it is a steep hill.

Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens

Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens offers free entry daily during daylight hours.

The gardens, run by volunteers, provide walking paths and picnic tables. There are plenty of picnic tables and a large lawn where visitors can picnic.

The Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens has an area for kids with an interactive music area and a water pump.

For those planning to wander and not picnic, expect to stay at the gardens for at least 30 minutes.

Mystery Picnic

Tamborine Mountain provides the perfect background for a picnic.

Of course, you can pack your own picnic, or you can get takeout from one of the many restaurants, but a fun family-friendly event is to go on a Mystery Picnic with AmazingCo.

AmazingCo provides games, clues, and puzzles that lead you to picnic supplies. They provide activity ideas between stops and suggest a place to sit and enjoy your picnic at the end.

Read about our experience with AmazingCo's Mystery Picnic in Brisbane.

Go Shopping

Shop on Gallery Walk

The main road on Tamborine Mountain, Gallery Walk, has a large variety of shops and restaurants.

Our kids are not the best shoppers, but here are a few shops that they enjoy.

German Cuckoo Clock Nest

My grandparents had a cuckoo clock when I was growing up, and I was excited to take my kids to see the wide variety of cuckoo clocks available at the German Cuckoo Clock Nest.

They could have spent hours in this store.

Of course, we had to watch them and make sure that they didn’t touch all of the clocks, but this is a great shop for kids.

Crystal Mountain Australia

Another shop not particularly for children, but one that my kids love is Crystal Mountain Australia.

Filled with gems and crystals, the kids enjoy seeing both the jewelry and the raw stones.

Fudge Heaven

Fudge, ice cream, and all kinds of candy, it is no secret why kids like Fudge Heaven.

We let the kids pick out one item and it was hard for them to choose just one.

Shop at the Market

There are 3 different markets held on Tamborine Mountain each month.

Country Markets

The Country Market is held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the Tamborine Mountain Show Grounds.

Besides produce, there is plenty of crafts, collectibles, and food items for sale as well as a kid-friendly area with a jumping castle, pony rides, and rides for kids.

The Green Shed Market

Every Sunday morning, including during the Country Market days, The Green Shed Market is held at the Tamborine Mountain Show Grounds.

Plenty of produce, plants, honey, nuts, and other items are available at The Green Shed Market.

State School Market

On the last Sunday of each month, there is a market at Tamborine Mountain State School.

Over 100 stalls are full of crafts, food, art, clothes, crystals, and just about everything you could want from a market.

Enjoy the live music while walking around and shopping at the market.

Check out the Lavender Farm at Jasmin Organics

Jasmin Organics has a beautiful farm with lavender plants and a shop with lavender items.

Learn Something New

Tamborine Mountain Heritage Centre

Journey back in time at Tamborine Mountain Heritage Centre by seeing how life was lived in the early 1900s.

The small village includes a blacksmith, general store, and school among other buildings and items from the 1800s and 1900s.

Tamborine Mountain Coffee

While not necessarily for kids, teens, and adults who want to learn more about the coffee process can take a tour of the coffee plantation at Tamborine Mountain Coffee.

Tours take place on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 12 noon. Bookings are not required.

For those who want to learn about the coffee brewing process, there is a Brewing Workshop at 1 p.m., after the plantation tour and bookings are not required.

If one adult wants to take the tour or workshop, there is a cafe where the rest of the family can have a meal and a snack

Take A Tamborine Mountain Tour

Southern Cross Day and Night Tours

Southern Cross offers both a morning and an evening tour of Tamborine Mountain.

The morning tour runs from 8 am to 1 pm. Pick-up for this tour is at various locations on the Gold Coast. The tour includes morning tea, a rainforest walk, a Gallery Walk, and an optional add-on wine tasting.

The evening tour runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 daily. Pick-up for this tour is at various locations on the Gold Coast. The tour includes dessert, a rainforest walk, and glow worms.

Southern Cross Tours

Not to be confused with Southern Cross Day Tours, Southern Cross Tours offers a 7.5-hour tour of Tamborine Mountain.

Tours depart at 9:30 am.

The price includes a fully guided tour, a walk through the rainforest, lunch, and a tour of a coffee plantation and a distillery with a tasting at both.

Pickup is available at locations on the Gold Coast.

Scenic Day Tour Group

An 8-hour Best of Tamborine Mountain Tour includes pick-up from the Gold Coast and a full day at Tamborine Mountain with a wine tasting for the adults.

Play at the Playground

Our kids love to play at the playground and we often stop at playgrounds while traveling.

There are 4 playgrounds on Tamborine Mountain to choose from.

Doughty Park

Located next to the Visitor Information Centre, Doughty Park has a small playground with picnic tables and toilets nearby.

Staffsmith Park

Staffsmith Park has the largest playground in the area.

The playground is fully fenced in and there are picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, and an off-leash area for dogs.

Rosser Park

There is a very small playground at Rosser Park. Picnic tables, BBQs, and toilets are nearby.

Guanaba Park

Close to Rosser Park is Guanaba Park, which has a larger playground, but no toilets. The playgrounds are about a minute’s drive away from each other.

Have a Drink While the Kids Play

Tamborine Mountain Distillery offers a playground with swings and slides for the kids to play on while the adults enjoy a drink.

Enjoy High Tea on Tamborine Mountain

Tea and Niceties

Tea and Niceties offer high tea from Wednesday-Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. They have a kids’ high tea as well as an adult high tea service.

How to Get to Tamborine Mountain

The easiest way to get to and around Tamborine Mountain is by car.

Tamborine Mountain is about an hour south of Brisbane and 45 minutes west of the Gold Coast.

For those who do not have a car and do not want to rent one, a tour would be the best and easiest way to see Tamborine Mountain.

If you do not want to take a guided tour, there is a private bus that drives from Helensvale Station on the Gold Coast to popular places on Tamborine Mountain. It is easy to get to Helensvale Station by train from Brisbane.

Tickets for the Tamborine Mountain Daily Service are $30-$35.

Tamborine Mountain with Kids Wrap Up

For a fun day out from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, head to Tamborine Mountain.

Not only are there kid-friendly hikes and swimming holes, but Tamborine Mountain also has lots of unique activities. Whether you are celebrating with an experience gift or looking for some family fun, you have lots of options.

Tamborine Mountain is the perfect day trip from Brisbane, but beware: you will want to go back!

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