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Had a busy week? Taking a weekend day trip can be just the thing you need to re-energise before you’re back into it on Monday.
Here on the North Coast of New South Wales, the winters are pretty mild (lucky us!). So, it’s a welcome change to visit a cooler place, even if it’s just for the day or the weekend. Just over an hour’s drive away, we are blessed to have the stunning hinterland with mountains, lush tropical rainforests, pretty shops and lots of fabulous food. I love taking a trip up to the mountains – it’s like escaping to another land, far far away (even though it’s really only a short drive!). I love to breathe in the crisp mountain air – it’s so cool and refreshing, especially in winter. It also gives me an excuse to wear a warm coat and scarf.
Just over an hour’s drive away, we are blessed to have the stunning hinterland with mountains, lush tropical rainforests, pretty shops and lots of fabulous food. I love taking a trip up to the mountains – it’s like escaping to another land, far far away (even though it’s really only a short drive!). Whether it’s for the day, or the weekend, I don’t mind! I love to breathe in the crisp mountain air – it’s so cool and refreshing, especially in winter. It also gives me an excuse to wear a warm coat and scarf.
One of the highlights of a trip to gorgeous Mount Tamborine is seeing the beautiful gardens. Although Spring is still months away, the gardens always seem to be sprouting colour of some description. It never ceases to amaze me.
From the ginger lily ….
To the camellia …
and even a pretty little row of pansies…
Bushwalks in the rainforest
Then there’s the stunning ancient rainforest. The shot below was taken at Curtis Falls. There’s a short and not-too-strenuous bush walk down to view the falls – around 1.5km, which I highly recommend. The Tourist Information Centre has maps, or you can check The Tamborine Chamber of Commerce site for more information on this walk and many others in the area.
Markets and shopping
We visited the popular Tamborine Mountain markets, held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the showgrounds. These markets have been running for years and are very well attended. I recommend you arrive early. The local Bush Fire Brigade supervise parking on the oval for a gold coin donation – money well spent in my book. Who wouldn’t want them to help in a time of need?!
These weekend markets are well worth a look, with a range of stalls from local produce, handmade goods, candles, plants, jewellery, soaps, candles, pony rides and live music. There’s also plenty of locally grown fruit and vegies, including many which are organically grown, in the Big Green Shed on the northern side of the showground.
Dining
Let’s not forget the food … For morning tea, we enjoyed a plate of poffertjes – or Dutch pancakes – at the markets. They were absolutely delicious – topped with icing sugar, butter and maple syrup. You’ll have to take my word for it on this one, as we scoffed them down so quickly, I didn’t have a chance to get a photo!
We discovered a delightful little cafe with homemade pumpkin soup with sourdough bread, which was ideal for lunch. Later in the day, after several hours of wandering the local shops at North Tamborine and a visit to my favourite bookstore at the top of Gallery Walk, we indulged in afternoon tea before the drive home. I enjoyed a cup of peppermint tea and we shared a delightful homemade pear, date and custard muffin – scrumptious! Thankfully, I resisted the temptation of the fudge shop, so I didn’t bring any extra calories home with me 🙂
I came home feeling thoroughly relaxed, refreshed and ready for another week. Oh, and that mountain air sure helps you sleep well at night!
If you have the opportunity, Mount Tamborine is a great place for a weekend stay – we’ve done this many times. If you’re a foodie, why not do a cooking class at the fabulous Tamborine Cooking School, run by the lovely Terri Taylor. You’ll learn new skills and get to eat the spoils – it’s a fantastic day and I highly recommend it.
I love a visit to the mountains. Do you have a special place you like to visit on the weekend?
The Lovin’ Life Linky pops up each and every Thursday. I’m honoured to be a co-host!
Click on any of the links below to read more amazing stories about Lovin’ Life … because we all need to feel inspired and create our own happiness :).
The Lovin’ Life Linky team is:
Leanne from Deep Fried Fruit – Min from Write of the Middle – Kathy from 50 Shades of Age
Jo Tracey from Andanyways.com – Deb from Debbish.com – and me, Lyndall from Seize the Day Project!
I love visiting the Blue Mountains. There’s just something reviving about the clean fresh mountain air!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Yes Ingrid, the Blue Mountains are gorgeous too. Mt Tamborine is similar, but on a much smaller scale 🙂
I love a Sunday drive – or even just Sunday lunch. It’s like a deliberate pause between one week and the next. Your hinterland looks delightful. #TeamLovinLife
Thanks Jo. Yes, that pause may be all too brief, but is so important. Mount Tamborine is lovely, as is Maleny, Montville and the Sunshine Coast hinterland 🙂
Tamborine Mountain is one of my favourite Sunday drives. It is like travelling to another world isn’t it? I also love to drive down around the Mt Warning area to Uki and Tyalgum and have high tea at Flutterbies Cottage. 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
Me too Kathy. The Mount Warning area is also lovely for a quieter weekend drive 🙂
The other year we were at Mt Tambourine for a work thing and it was soo nice to breathe that fresh air. It wasn’t the best time away (it was a work trip, after all!) but there were some good moments, like getting to sit by a fire and listen to it crackle.
I love a crackling fire too Vanessa 🙂
Oh I love it up at Mount Tamborine! I haven’t been up there in ages but used to go up quite regularly for day trips and have stayed up there also. Love the markets. Love watching the hang gliding. Love strolling the shops and cafes. Beautiful place! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
I agree Min. Wish I was there right now 🙂 x
Oh I love Mt Tamborine!
It certainly is a beautiful and special place Janet 🙂
I usually hate having commitments. And I’ve got two things on evenings (after work) this week which fills me with stress and angst. I actually organised one myself as I thought it might be interesting, but the other I agreed to do with a friend and I felt kinda resentful after a long day (and travelling for work) and then having to go straight out. But, it was fine. And I need to remind myself of that.
This weekend I’m heading to the Sunshine Coast for a day trip and will get to see Leanne and MEET Jo, so I’m looking forward to that one – despite the 6.5-7hrs of driving.
Enjoy your weekend day trip Deb. It’s always great to have a break and change of scenery (and meet lovely friends too!) 🙂
What a fabulous trip!!! I love the beautiful flowers, but the muffin looked even better!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie. The muffin was rather tasty! 🙂
It’s such a beautiful part of the country – and nice to see something other than our beaches getting a cheer for a change Lyndall 🙂 We did a day trip to the Blue Mountains when we were over your side of the country a few years ago and really loved it – it’s another reminder of why we should visit again.
Thanks Leanne, the mountains are a beautiful place to visit. They call Mt Tamborine “The green behind the gold” because it’s inland from the Gold Coast 🙂
It looks gorgeous up there! We quite often go for drives to small towns close by, like charming Penola and beachside towns like Beachport. Not much escaping the cold here though in southern SA. Looking forward to heading to QLD a the end of next month for a week.
It’s great to escape – whether it’s for just a few hours, a day or a week. Enjoy your holiday! 🙂
Oh yes Lyndall it sounds perfect! I love the hinterland in the Gold Coast and areas of northern NSW are perfect for a weekend getaway. We all need a break and even just a drive as you suggested really helps to relax, unwind and just be in the moment. I felt relaxed just looking at your beautiful floral photos and bushland. Have a beautiful weekend. x #teamlovinlife
Thanks so much Sue! Hope you have a lovely weekend too 🙂 x
That all sounds pretty damn good to me! Bushwalks in the rain forest in particular.
There are quite a few lovely walks in the Mt Tamborine area Leanne. It’s worth checking out 🙂
The Tamborine mountains are a lot of fun. I went on a bush walk there with my friends from the Gold Coast.
It’s a beautiful place to explore Rhonda 🙂
Sounds like a lovely place to get away to, not to long a drive but far enough away to sample some fresh crisp air.
We’re very lucky to have such a beautiful place so close by 🙂
Mount Tamborine is such a beautiful area with such a lot to see. I wonder if the Distillery is still operating? Its ages since we have been into that area but used to visit quite a lot whilst Rowan’s Mum was alive and living at Cabarita Beach.
The Distillery was still operating last time I went past it Jan. The mountain is an easy day drive from Cabarita Beach 🙂