CHASING WATERFALLS –HINTERLAND ITINERARY 24 HOURS
Put the car into cruise control, the body on breathe and point that sat nav
due west; a velvet cloak is waiting to surround you in an oasis of serene
emerald green.
The journey is part of the destination, right? So relax, let those
shoulders sink away from your ears, wind the windows down and pop the radio
on some classical tunes. Before you know it, ribbon-like roads will reel
you through a canvas of verdant hills dotted with vineyards, roadside
stalls brimming with freshly grown produce, and rambling gardens with
whispering streams. This place is the green behind the gold; our heavenly
hinterland and we already know you’ll be back before you even arrive.
Morning serene-a-tea
First stop is for a cup of tea (we did say relax); so pop in for a decadent
high tea with all the trimmings at Tea and Niceties, or delight in a side
of extra sugary sweetness at Granny Macs famous fudge factory. Walk it off
by pottering along the many stores and art galleries at Gallery Walk.
Stock up on hand-made chocolates, pop some cheese in the hamper for later
and treat yourself at the distillery with award winning liqueurs, vodka,
schnapps and our all-time fave - eaux-de-vie.
Chasing waterfalls
By now you’ll need some exercise, so how about chasing a waterfall, two or
even three? For those that are not that fussed on too much walking, take
the easy option with the 1.5km Curtis Falls circuit for palm-dotted
rainforest, scrambling brush turkeys and a swish of mist as the falls
tumble over the rocks. Cedar Creek Falls is a little farther, but easily
worth it for its cascades, rock pools and one of the best swimming spots on
a hot day. And if you really like a challenge, add Witches Falls to the
itinerary – there is no such thing as too many waterfalls, right?
Linger over a long lunch
The multi-award winning Songbirds in the Forest Restaurant is a must drop
in if gourmet dining is your thang with Insta-worthy dishes (c’mon we all
do it) and a menu that reads like a story of grow, source and provide - all
within a locally sourced radius. Leave room for the six course lunch – it
will double up as dinner and say yass to the paired wines for a hard to
beat self treating – just be sure to have your designated driver on standby
or pre-arrange a sleepover and let the treating roll on.
Sunset surrender
With the sun starting to wane, it’s time to whip out the picnic blanket,
load up the cheese board and sit back and watch one hell of a sunset from
500m above the sea. Grassy knolls pepper most of the western side of Mount
Tamborine, but if you want to know where the locals go, head to either
Rotary Lookout or Hang Gliders for the best sun-soaked vantage spots
around.
When the day is done, wind your way back down to the city and let a sea of
glittering fairy lights be your guide. Or why not stay over? There are
plenty of places with a comfy bed, from luxury lodges, rainforest retreats
(Songbirds I’m staying!), cosy cabins and even some pretty sweet spots to
pitch a tent or roll out a swag under a big sky canopy sprinkled with
stars.