the tamborine boutique hotel 🦚

History

This glamorous hacienda style hotel was built in 1978 & sits high on the Mt Tamborine escarpment, each of the 23 guest rooms boasting panoramic views across the valley & several ridge lines to the Gold Coast below.

It was purchased in 2023 by Gina McNamara & Nina Aberdeen then renovated for re-opening as The Tamborine in late 2024. The owners sourced renewable building supplies with low environmental footprint to be crafted with consideration & sustainability.

The name Tamborine evolved from the indigenous Yugambeh word Jambreen meaning “wild lime” which made reference to the finger lime trees that grow wild in the region … and are a perfect accompaniment to many of the locally distilled botanical gins!!!

Now

Still fresh & zen, The Tamborine has a luxe retro charm, reminiscent of bygone days where tweaked men, with pencil moustaches & cravats, in open necked linen flirt salaciously with girls in pearl & silk dresses. With its bougie vibe the hotel is enticing folk from an assortment of ages & relationship diversity (sisters, lovers, couples, friends, mother/daughters, brothers) offering opportunities to mingle & connect.

You may choose to interact or stay private with plenty of resting spots around the venue: the fire pits at dusk, the gorgeous aquamarine mineral pool with spa, the wellbeing room for yoga or gym & the main hub which doubles both as a slick cocktail bar for Peacock hour from 5-6pm (think signature negroni’s, limoncello spritz) & a continental breakfast room. At other times you may relax with a book, have a spa treatment or enjoy one of the many classic board games: four in a row, chess or backgammon.

There is extra delight in the small everday touches: beautiful ceramic coffee/tea cups, filtered water refill stations, Love Tea, pod coffee & high quality Leif bath products.

Next door, virtually through the side gate, sits the St Bernard’s Hotel, one of the oldest properties on the mountain. The hotel offers bistro meals & terrace dining. A quick easy lunch or dinner option if you don’t want to drive into town. Be sure to say hi to the two giant St Bernard’s sleeping dolefully in the front entrance. 

Out ‘n about

There is a constantly developing tourism network here at Mt Tamborine offering a blend of recreational pursuits including:  Ziplining above the trees, Forest Sky Bridge, waterfalls & rainforest walks, Artisans & craftsman, peddlars of the Long Road & the newly opened Japanese inspired SOL Elements bathhouse. Should you desire excitement & adventure, a gourmet experience, gallery hopping or rest & rejuvenation, it’s all here!

We (my friend Jodie & I) visit the Joalah section of Tamborine National park, a lush tropical rainforest, displaying species of wet eucalyptus trees, strangler fig, red cedar, flowering gums & piccabeen palms. It’s a quick 30min walk down to Curtis falls. The falls are small but enchanting, we stop for photos as the soothing babble of crystal clear water flows downstream through the towering palms. Rock wallaby’s hop & stop, searching for food among the basalt boulders as fruit bats chatter in the forest canopy overhead.

Opportunities for wine, gin, liquor, boutique beer & cider tasting are plentiful, each venue offering their signature cheese platter often accompanied by live music, especially at weekends. We visited Witches Falls winery and were delightfully entertained by our vigneron guide Tom as he explains the production of Rose varieties Sangiovese (delish 😊) & Pinot Grigio; the fermentation process of Grenache & Pinot Noir & the resurrection of their sharper tasting Lambrusco 🍇🍇🍇

Meanwhile …

Returning back to our hotel starving, we ordered from the bar menu & sat drooling over our garlic prawns & Byron Bay margarita pizza … you may also select wine, cheese, chips, chutneys, teas & other souvenir product from The Pantry at reception. The staff, smartly attired in sage & beige, are open, friendly & amenable … more than happy to go the extra mile to ensure your needs are met (which is so refreshing!).

There is only one road up & down the mountain connecting Mt Tamborine, north Tamborine & Tamborine township but somehow your senses & direction spiral, you loose yourself in the mountain’s portal & are transported back to another time of slow living, social etiquette, mindfulness & sophisticated charm … highly recommend, we had a great time!!!
So much gratitude 💫🙏

~ The Tamborine Boutique Hotel is an easy 40minute drive from the Gold Coast airport ~