GOLD COAST HINTERLAND

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Gold Coast Hinterland

Mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, wide open spaces with breathtaking views, national parks, quaint towns and villages. This vast mountainous and rural backdrop known as the Gold Coast Hinterland provides a magnificent contrast to the Gold Coast's golden beaches. Here you will find country craft cottages and friendly guest houses as well as art galleries and tea houses, colourful country markets, historical buildings and pubs, working farms and fruit plantations.

Roadways cut steep paths from the coast to Mt Tamborine, North Tamborine, Eagle Heights, Beachmont and Springbrook. These villages are known for their produce, particularly avocados, and rich rural landscapes. From scenic lookouts you'll spy spectacular vistas including the highrises of Surfers Paradise, South Stradbroke Island and Mt Warning National Park.

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. Pack sturdy shoes and stride along some of the 160km of graded walking tracks in this World Heritage Listed wilderness.

Other activities to be enjoyed in the Gold Coast Hinterland include hang-gliding, abseiling adventures, wilderness treks and 4WD tours along rainforest tracks.

O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat provide excellent accommodation as well as guided walks.

In the heart of the Gold Coast Hinterland beats the township of Beaudesert, well supplied with motel accommodation and sporting facilities. The Beaudesert Historical Society and Information Centre provides information on places of interest in the district, including Kooralbyn Hotel Resort and the historic Laravale Store.

Beaudesert is also home to St Mary's Church, reputedly Australia's largest timber church.If you visit the spectacular Mt Barney National Park southwest of Beaudesert, you will pass through Rathdowney, the scene of an annual heritage festival and where farmstays provide a popular getaway.