Backyard Tourist: Perfect place for kids at Thunderbird Park, Mount Tamborine

It can be a little hard to keep the kids entertained all day long, but we’ve found a pretty perfect Hinterland spot that will keep the entire family amused.

LET’S be honest, it can be a little difficult to keep kids entertained all day long.

Not so at Thunderbird Park.

I mean, I haven’t got kids but if I did, this is where I’d take them.

With the park situated along Tamborine Mountain, families can drive up from the city and immerse themselves in the glorious Hinterland.

One of the treetop challenges.

At the site, they can choose between the treetop challenge, the canyon flyer, horse riding, laser skirmish, bird feeding, minigolf or – of course – thunderegg fossicking.

The treetop challenge has more than 100 components to choose from, with courses ranging from easy to difficult, while the canyon flyer is Australia’s highest and fastest zip line.

Horse riding in the forest.

If you prefer to chill out a little, horse riding from half an hour to 1.5 hours in the rainforest might be more your thing.

You can even set up camp and sleep overnight at the park’s caravan and camping area.

Georgia Lorange feeding the Rainbow lorikeets at Thunderbird Park. Picture by Kirk Lorange

Or you can stay in one of their cute lodges that can house up to six people, or the more cosy rooms complete with a two-person spa.

However, the biggest perk of staying overnight would be access to the natural rock pools for a swim.

Of course if you stay overnight, you know you’re going to want to visit the mountain for the day and enjoy Mount Tamborine’s lookouts, Gallery Walk and natural beauty.

EAT AND DRINK

Wild Plum Kitchen, Mount Tamborine.

THE Wild Plum Kitchen is a great little cafe on Gallery Walk.

Their plated food is amazing and their pre-made salad and pasta dishes are scrumptious as well.

With a focus on local and fresh produce, the cafe offers a range of menu items to please everyone. They have ocean trout with halloumi and zucchini fitters, crumpets with seasonal fruit and honeycomb butter, as well as raspberry coconut pannacotta.

Wild Plum Kitchen is vegan friendly and also has a range of drinks available, such as coffee and cold drinks.

The cafe is open from Thursday to Monday, 8am to 3pm or 4pm.

DISCOVER

Busy bees enjoying the wonderful lavender at the Jasmin Organics gardens on Tamborine Mountain. Picture: Karen Wheeler

JASMIN Organics is a beautiful Mount Tamborine farm but not everything is as it seems – in a good way.

For instance, would you have guessed that this business makes all its skincare products right there on site?

You’re more likely to think it is a luxurious estate, not a working factory putting together an organic skincare range.

You can even book a tour to see how the beauty products are put together.

The farm is in Long Road. You’ll fall in love with the gorgeous scenery, which includes their orchards of avocados and plums, as well as rows of roses, jasmine, camellia and lavender.

There are even bee hives there to help pollinate the flowers and so they can use the beeswax.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic so that once you’ve enjoyed the tour, you can settle down on the mountain for a romantic bite to eat.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE … DO

Poffertjes, nom, nom! Picture: DYLAN COKER

COMPLETE your drive by heading to the famous Gallery Walk.

But while you’re there, head around the corner on to Eagle Heights Road and check out the Dutch Bite Cafe.

Yes indeed, you’ll find all your childhood food favourites on the menu. Well, you will if you are Dutch. Or brought up by Dutch parents, like I was.

So sample a broodje kroket (beef croquette on bread), a frikandel special (a sausage topped with curry sauce, raw onion and mayonnaise), some poffertjes (eat them with icing sugar and butter), hotspot (mashed potato) and even erwtensoep (pea soup).

If you haven’t ever tried Dutch food before, give it a go. This is where loaded fries and mini pancakes really came from.