Lamington National Park - located west of Springbrook is a 200 square kilometre park and includes highly vegetated areas and 1,100m high ranges of subtropical rain forest. There you will find gorges, caves, spectacular views, waterfalls, pools and a large assortment of bird life. Most rain in these areas falls between November and March and it is much cooler than the lowland areas. Lamington National Park is Australia's largest preserved natural stand of subtropical rainforest, situated on the crest of the McPherson Ranges which mark the Queensland-New South Wales border.
At Springbrook National Park you'll find Purlingbrook Falls where there is a picnic area, or you can visit Natural Arch where you can swim in the crystal clear mountain waters under the waterfall, take one of the fantastic walks or wait until nightfall and see the glow worms. The Purlingbrook Falls 4km return walk is one of the most scenic walks of the area and isn't too strenuous. The ranger's office and information centre offers free maps and walking track brochures, open between 3pm and 4pm. weekdays only. The Best Lookout, which is just up the road meets up to its name, with spectacular, expansive views.
Further south there is Mt Warning where you can scale the mountain if you're feeling like a challenge and watch the sun rise out of the sea from Australia's most easterly point. You could also travel to Hinze Dam west of Mudgeeraba and relax with a B.B.Q. and watch the sailboats. Fishing (with a permit) is also allowed at the Dam.
Tamborine Mountain is a lush 600m high plateau just a 25 minute drive from Ruffles Lodge. Its gardens, nurseries and National Parks are a delight for the day tripper. Both Tamborine Mountain and Beechmont are favourite take-off points for hang gliders. This area has spectacular waterfalls, great views and walking tracks and a quaint shopping village. If it's retail therapy or gastronomic delights that you're seeking Tamborine Mountain's Gallery Walk should be your first port of call. From original wood carvings and colourful local art to traditional German cuckoo clocks, Tamborine has it all. There's also a fudge factory and several nut shops offering every flavour of Macadamia that you could imagine. If you'd like to enjoy both delights at once go no further than Grannymacs on the Gallery Walk. Furthermore there's a market on the second Sunday of the month at the showgrounds. An Information Centre is at North Tamborine, ph (07) 5545 1171. If you'd like to enjoy the beautiful scenery from the back of a horse Tamborine Mountain Trail Rides offers 1 - 2 hour rides or lessons. For more information call 1800 153 535.
Two main towns in the Gold Coast Hinterland include Mudgeeraba and Nerang. The Nerang River is an integral part of the cotton, dairy, sugar and timber industries within the Gold Coast Hinterland. Nerang is a centre for the Hinterland with a strong country lifestyle. Mudgeeraba is also a country town, set at the base of the Tallai Hills. On the second and fourth Saturday of the month there's a popular village fair at the showground which features a number of different stalls and entertainment.
