Tamborine Mountain

Some say this is the green behind the gold, which makes the Gold Coast so seductive, and it’s easy to see why Tamborine Mountain is in tune with tourists. Let’s start with the rainforest, in the third oldest national park in the world, which celebrates the remnants of the former Mount Warning volcano.

There are numerous walks and lookouts from which to enjoy Mother Nature at her most blindingly brilliant, including the mysteriously-named Witches Falls or charming Cedar Creek. There’s 12 walking tracks in all and each one is no longer than around three kilometres, so if you like a stroll among the birds, bees, flowers and the trees, this is for you.

For a change of pace, enjoy several wineries, a brewery and even a distillery up on the mountain, which is perfectly punctuated with award-winning restaurants, art galleries, sweeping coastal views and that delicious mix of old and new-world charm. Indulge in home-grown produce such as avocados, kiwifruits and macadamia nuts as well as award-winning cheeses and fabulous fudge, or dine in some seriously swish restaurants.

Select from cosy cottages, decadent dwellings and a hotel or two, including the iconic St Bernard’s Hotel, in which to stay the night. Explore the area by yourself, or join a tour which takes in a number of attractions such as Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and the Glow Worm Caves.

Romantics rush to the mountains to get married here and it’s easy to see why. For this is Queensland’s own Emerald City. That’s right Dorothy, you are not in Kansas anymore. This is Oz.