Gold Coast Hinterland Holiday Cabins & Accommodation

The Gold Coast hinterland, often called the Emerald City thanks to its lush green forests and mountains, has plenty of holiday accommodation – including quaint stone houses and picturesque wooden cabins with incredible forest views.

Getting to Your Gold Coast Hinterland Accommodation

If you’re coming from Brisbane, drive south along the Pacific Motorway. Continue along Beenleigh-Beaudesert Road and Tamborine Mountain Road to get to the Gold Coast Hinterland within an hour.

From Ballina, drive for two hours along the Pacific Motorway and Tamborine Oxenford Road to reach the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Alternatively, you could fly to the Gold Coast – Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, and Tiger Airways have direct flights. From the airport, the Gold Coast Hinterland is less than an hour’s drive.

Many like to combine trips to the Gold Coast Hinterland and Surfers Paradise. The beautiful drive along the eastern edge of the Scenic Rim Mountains is under two hours.

En route, stop at the picturesque Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm. Follow Nerang-Broadbeach Road and drive past Canungra, Beaudesert, and Boonah before reaching the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Where to eat and drink while staying in the Gold Coast Hinterland

To sample traditional Aussie food, try the Outpost Café in Canungra, a rustic eatery that claims to make the best pies in Australia. If you're looking for some mouthwatering American-style BBQ, head to Hickory, which serves a selection of meats slow-cooked in a smoker using a secret blend of spices.

The Historic Rivermill in Mount Nathan serves modern Australian cuisine in a fine-dining setting, sourcing many ingredients locally. While you eat, enjoy views of the surrounding countryside from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Gold Coast Hinterland is also home to award-winning vineyards such as Cedar Creek, Heritage, and Mount Nathan. If you prefer beer, head to Fortitude Brewing Company to choose from their 15 hand-crafted beers available on tap.

What to do in the Gold Coast hinterland

The purpose-built glow worm caves at Mount Tamborine are home to thousands of these iridescent creatures. Learn about what makes them glow and their life cycle during a walking tour of the caves.

Explore Springbrook National Park from the Apple Tree Park access point, and follow one of the area's many trails to beautiful sites such as the Natural Bridge. Pack some food and spend your afternoon at one of the picnic sites.

If you're seeking adventure on your holiday, try the TreeTop Challenge, which takes you on tarzan swings and flying foxes through the rainforest's canopy. Remember to take your camera to document your adventures!

Family Holidays in the Gold Coast Hinterland

The Mount Tamborine Glow Worm Caves are perfect for exploring with kids. You’ll get the rare chance to watch and learn about fascinating glow worms up close. Connected by tunnels, this cave system welcomes visitors from 10 AM to 4 PM every day.

You can also see glow worms in their natural habitat at the Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park. Set off on an adventurous jungle walk down the bushy rainforest path to the beautiful Natural Bridge rock formation.

Yet another interesting destination is Lamington National Park, where family-friendly walks and a great range of accommodations await. Especially noteworthy is O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk, an easy, kid-friendly circuit spanning 800 metres of some of Australia’s most spectacular bushlands. Little adventurers can cross nine suspension bridges to reach the depths of this sub-tropical rainforest. To relax after your trek, lay back and enjoy the bird of prey show and meet friendly rosellas and king parrots.

Camping, Cabins, and Outdoor Holidays in the Gold Coast Hinterland

Woonoongoora, the Green Mountains camping area in Lamington National Park, and the Settlement in Springbrook National Park are the region’s three walk-in campsites. While all the three feature toilet facilities, drinking water is only available at Woonoongoora and the Settlement.

Local grocery shops and cafés are in proximity to the latter two. The Settlement also offers a cooking shelter, with electric barbecues and dedicated areas for picnic and recreation.

Hillside holiday cottages and farm stays are great options for the kids. They can learn about the local farming ways, cuddle woolly lambs, feed cattle, and go horse-riding in the woods.

Rainforest lodges by Tamborine Mountain offer the perfect tranquil environment in the wilderness. Enjoy jungle zipline tours, treetop challenges, horse trail rides, mini-golf, tours to waterfalls and wineries, and birding.

Frequently Asked Questions