The pretty surrounds of Tamborine Mountain are located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, less than an hour’s drive inland from Surfers Paradise. Home to lush rainforest, cute boutiques and even wineries, there’s plenty to do when visiting Mt Tamborine with a dog.
Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in Tamborine Mountain
When visiting the Tamborine Mountain area with your dog, there will be some attractions that you need to skip, including the national parks and their walking trails. But there’s still plenty of fun things that you can do with your pup…
#1 Browse the Boutiques
The village of Mount Tamborine is home to many cute boutiques, especially along The Gallery Walk. Browse your way along this strip of boutiques and cafes, many selling local products.
When I visited with my dog, we were even permitted inside some of the shops by the friendly owners – although wait for your pup to be invited.
#2 Taste the Local Wine and Spirits
It’s not just the boutiques in Tamborine Mountain that sell locally made products – you can also taste locally made wines and spirits.
Witches Fall Winery has been making wines at Tamborine Mountain for over 20 years, with all of their products made on site with minimal intervention. Enjoy a paid tasting at their cellar door, where you can choose between six of their wines to taste.
Well-behaved and friendly dogs are welcome to join you at the cellar door, just keep them on a leash. Bookings are essential – let them know at the same time that you’ll be bringing a pet. The cellar door is open daily.
A newer experience in the area is Cauldron Distillery, that produces an extensive range of gins, whiskys, vodkas and vermouths. Make a booking for one of their outdoor tables on the spacious green lawn, noting that you’ll be bringing a dog.
You can enjoy tasting paddles or the cocktail of the month, alongside charcuterie boards and pizzas from the kitchen. Currently the distillery is closed Mondays, with the kitchen closed on Tuesday.
#3 Or Enjoy a Coffee Tasting
If you’d prefer a non-alcoholic tasting, or something lighter to start your day, head instead to the Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation on the weekends.
We enjoyed a delicious brunch at the cafe, which has a large outdoor area where well-behaved dogs are welcome. But you can also order their Coffee Discovery Flight, featuring three different coffees to sample and contrast.
Note that the full Brew Bar menu is only available on Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to midday. During the week, only a smaller menu is available, with limited food options but still plenty of coffee.
#4 Relax with a Local Beer
Tamborine Mountain is also home to a number of local breweries, an ideal spot to relax for the afternoon over some local brewed beers with your dog at your side.
In the centre of town, just south of The Gallery Walk, is the long-running Fortitude Brewing. Dogs are allowed to join you in part of the outdoor seating area. The brewery is open daily for lunch, plus Friday and Saturday evenings.
Another option is the recently opened Boxer Brewing Co, named after the owner’s favourite dogs. Their taproom, “The Kennel”, is located next Witches Fall Winery, with pets welcome to join you, at least in outdoor areas. The taproom is also a sports bar – check out the line-up of sports being screened, pus the live music on the deck each weekend.
#5 Take in the Views
While many lookout spots in the area are off limits to dogs, don’t miss stopping at the Rotary Lookout, located just outside of the Tamborine National Park. From the lookout you can take in the stunning views from the heights of Tamborine Mountain over the Scenic Rim region.
Dog-Friendly Walks in Tamborine Mountain
Most of the walks around Mt Tamborine are located within the various sections of the Tamborine National Park, where dogs are not allowed. Dogs are also not allowed at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and the Tamborine Mountain Regional Botanic Gardens.
If there’s two of you, it’s possible to take turns to walk the short trail to Curtis Falls while the other stays behind with your dog, as the carpark is located just outside of the national park.
It’s one of the most impressive waterfalls (particularly after rainfall). The trail is just an easy 550m long each way, passing through a patch of spectacular rainforest.
Dog-Friendly Parks in Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain is home to two fenced off-leash dog parks. The larger and better park is located at Youngman Family Park on Geissman Drive. This large grassy fully fenced area has a water tap for dogs, seating and bins. The one downside is that it doesn’t have parking onsite – it’s best to instead park behind the Tamborine Diner and walk along Geissman Drive to the park.
A second smaller fenced off-leash park is located at Staffsmith Park, next to Central Avenue. While there are toilets nearby and one entrance is double-gated, unfortunately the park is mainly red dirt and there have been reports of holes in the fences at times.
Dog-Friendly Dining in Tamborine Mountain
There’s plenty of dog-friendly cafes and restaurants located around Tamborine Mountain to choose between.
We enjoyed a delicious brunch at Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation, which has a huge outdoor area with a variety of tables where well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome. Note though that the full menu is only available on Saturdays and Sundays – during the week a limited menu along with selections from the cabinet are available.
Some of the other venues mentioned above also offer meals. Cauldron Distillery serves up pizzas, charcuterie boards and cheese boards from their kitchen, open Wednesday to Sunday. While Fortitude Brewing also specialises in pizzas, plus offers more pub food staples. As well as being open daily for lunch, they are also open on Friday and Saturday evenings.
More dog-friendly cafes around Tamborine Mountain include Tree House Cafe and The Mountain Brew Coffee. Both cafes have outdoor dining tables where dogs are allowed.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation in Tamborine Mountain
For a luxurious stay at Tamborine Mountain with your dog, make a booking at Tamborine Mountain Glades, formerly known as Cedar Creek Lodges, located within Thunderbird Park. Choose between the Woodlands Glamping Tents, nestled along Cedar Creek, and a variety of Lodges.
Make sure you let the property know in advance that you’ll be bringing a pet, so that you can be allocated pet-friendly rooms. Only dogs are permitted, generally up to two per tent or lodge, with an additional fee applying per dog. Right on site, you can enjoy a paddle in Cedar Creek along with your pup.
If you have your own caravan or tent, you can also book for Camping at Tamborine Mountain Glades. Campsites are located amongst the forest, with a fire pit on each site and modern amenities. Only dogs are allowed, with a prohibition on Pit Bull Terriers. Note that the camping is on the expensive side, with an additional fee of $22 per pet.
Another campground nearby is Plunkett Green at Tamborine. This small dog-friendly campground bordering the Albert River has 14 non-powered sites. Each grassy and spacious site has its own portaloo, outdoor table and chairs, and large fire pit. Bookings are available through the Facebook page.
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.
Thank you so much for all the pet friendly information. It is good to know where you can take your little friend in advance.
Cheers
Michele
Thanks Michele, have a great visit!