Gold Coast Hinterland Holidays & Travel Guide

The Gold Coast Hinterland is a stunning patchwork of rainforest, national parks, vineyards, plantations, and farmland spread across 100,000 hectares and in stunning contrast to the coastal beaches. Despite being only half an hour from the beaches and glittering hub of nightlife, the hinterland offers quiet winding roads and hidden natural attractions.

Offering a unique holiday destination and a distinct change of pace, the Hinterland brings together a relaxing atmosphere of country hospitality, vineyards, markets and plenty of art and culture contrasted by the action of hiking, 4WDing, hang gliding, horse riding, hot air ballooning and more.

Accommodation offers charming B&Bs or cosy lodges and retreats all within minutes of the local attractions including the township of Canungra, Tambourine Mountain's famous Gallery Walk and a number of National Parks including Springbrook, Tambourine, Lamington and O'Reilly's.

A fantastic way to be close to nature without having to sacrifice on comforts such as hot showers and hearty meals, the Hinterland offers a chance to explore popular bushwalking tracks which are well-maintained, appropriate for most fitness levels and feature some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.

Guided tours are available and are a wonderful way to gain an insight into the native flora and fauna that call the area home however there is plenty of signage should you wish to explore on your own. Most National Parks also feature onsite information centres, souvenir shops and cafes allowing you to turn a simple bushwalk into a wonderful day out.

In particular, Tambourine's Gallery Walk is home to a vast array of galleries, boutiques, craft shops, antique stores, cafes and restaurants. With so much on offer, discovering the charm of Gallery Walk can take anything from an hour to a whole day, depending on your itinerary.

The Hinterland is also home to Thunderbird Park and Adventure Parc, a fantastic day out for the whole family. Adventure Parc is the largest and only ropes course in Australia while Thunderbird Park offers an interesting and educational geological experience home to the largest Thunderegg mine in the world. Families can fossick for these gemstone-filled rocks or if you prefer more of the finer things in life, follow the Gold Coast Wine Trail map and sample some of the best local food and wine.