Ben

I am visiting S.E Queensland to do some birding, walking, swimming etc and would like some information on other special areas that are a must see and must stay at. My wife and I hope to be there in early March for about 3 weeks.<BR>Any information would be much appreciated<BR>Ben

LizF

Now you are talking MY country. I live in Tamborine Mountain which is west of the Gold Coast and overlooks the hinterland and the GC. We think we have the best of everything up here - cooler weather, views, lovely temperate flora as well as the sub-tropical species, National parks, waterfalls, and yet within easy distance of anything we need from the GC - and you can get everything there. <BR>There are 326 species of birds in this small area and it is a paradise for the bird fancier. Across the road from me is a National Park and only a few weeks ago my husband spotted the dancing Albert Lyrebird, not once but twice!!<BR>Anyway I digress. From Tamborine you have access through to the border ranges with the large National Park Areas of Binna Burra and O'Riely's and Springbrook. You can drive through the border ranges to the Tweed Valley which is nothing short of magic. If you don't wish to locate yourself in the Lodges of those places and want to have access to other attractions then Tamborine Mountain is for you. We have 9 National Parks here, access to all the others, wineries, boutique distillery, art and craft shops and quaint little accommodations as well as accommodation for the sophisticated person with indulgence in mind. We also have Australia's award winning BYO restaurant and many other wonderful restaurants as well. There is hang-gliding, a trolley on weekends that goes around the wineries and areas of interest that works like the Sydney explorer where you can get on and off when you want. Its a beautiful place. There is Natural Arch which is a must see and you can swim in the wonderful frest spring water under the waterfall and stay until dark when the gloworms come out. For something different - it is a short drive to the Theme Parks or Sanctuary Cove with its attractions. <BR>I would only be too happy to help in any way with information about Tamborine Mountain as I do voluntary work at the tourist bureau and can send you some information should you wish it.<BR>You can also check out my website which incidently has a link to birdwatching in this area on www.tmbb.com.au <BR>Have a great holiday around here - we have not been fully discovered as yet but it will happen!

Carol

A friend of mine spent about 2 weeks in this area and is itching to go back again. She said that South East Queensland and Northern NSW are the most interesting parts of Australia for her other than the GBR and Northern Territory. She walked the Border ranges and had a ball. Went to Nimbin and just couldn't believe that place and paddled up and down the Tweed River.<BR>We are planning a trip together as soon as my holidays come up.

Mavis

My husband and I spent a lovely week at Tamborine Mountain recently in a terrific B&B which looked like a big tree house and had the most magnificent view I have ever seen. On the w/e we were taken around in a trolly-bus to all the attractions and could do all the wine tasting we wanted. We walked and climbed and went to restaurants and the more we stayed there the more the place grew on us. The National parks are lovely and the big ones on the border are a short drive away. <BR>We even went digging for Thunder eggs and had them polished as paper weights which made good Christmas presents. <BR>I will go back there like a shot, given the chance

Daisy

Ben, I agree with the previous posters about the charms of the hinterland behind the Gold Coast. Our favourite bushwalking area is Binna Burra. It's a bit more "natural" and not as touristy as Tamborine.<BR><BR>Also, depending on what sort of time you have, you may also think about travelling north of Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.<BR><BR>Before I go any further, I would add that we Queenslanders have our own decided biases re favourite beaches, and not everyone likes Noosa (we love it). But if you are interested in seeing birds and nature, from Noosa you can visit the everglades of the Cooloola National Park, and see Lakes Cootharaba and Cooroibah. <BR><BR>You can either go on launches, where they give you lunch etc. but there is also a company that takes small groups canoeing quietly through the everglades, where you will see birdlife.<BR><BR>Also right in Noosa is the Noosa National Park which has nice bushwalks. Our favourite path is the short trail to Tea Tree Bay - the most beautiful unspoilt little beach.<BR><BR>Also from Noosa, you can visit Fraser Island.<BR><BR>South East Queensland is God's Own Country!!

Sandy

We recently went to O'Reilly's for 3 days and Tamborine Mountain for 2 days and wondered why we stayed at O'Reilly's. It was expensive, it was all inclusive i.e. you have to eat whats offered and although the accommodation was ok it was not startling. However from Tamborine everything was accessable, that is all the National Parks and there is only one little area that is touristy, the rest of Tamborine Mountain is either National Park or rural. At least you could get a wonderful restaurant meal there and also there are other things to do if you so desire. The accommodation on Tamborine Mountain was heaps cheaper than O'Reilly's or what was quoted in Binna Burra and we had the same amount of close encounters with fauna there as with the more expensive places. We spot-lighted and went to see the gloworms and we swam in little rock pools and saw the waterfalls too. Before thinking of spending a whole lot of money on the bigger places I would check out Tamborine Mountain first so you can be flexable. <BR>I don't want to put a dampner on what others have said but I think that the Tamborine area and the border ranges together with Northern NSW is possibly the best part of Australia that I have been to, other than the GBR that is. So much to do and so little time to do it........ Greatest holiday spot ever!!!!!