Tamborine Mountain

Timber cutting at Tamborine Mountain in 1912

Tamborine Mountain was inhabited by Aboriginal People for tens of thousands of years and, at the time of early European settlement, lay in the territory of the Wangerriburras. The origin of the name Tamborine comes from the Anglicised version of the Aboriginal word Jambreen from the Yugambeh language.[4] The spelling also appears on early records as Tchambreem and even Goombireen,[4] which means 'wild lime' and refers to the finger lime trees growing on the mountain.

Prior to settlement, the mountain was covered with a diverse range of forest types.[4] Unlike the lower land surrounding the mountain, the thick scrub on the mountain was seen as a barrier to settlement so the mountain was not opened for selection until 1875.[5] However, the selectors were living in the surrounding area and being within 15 miles (24 km) of their selections were exempt from the requirements to live on their selections. Most did not develop the land and sold it once they were granted freehold.[6] In 1878 the first selectors settled on the mountain blocks: John O'Callaghan (deputising for William Walsh) and his nephew, E.H. O'Callaghan.[7] By 1886 most of the mountain had been selected but electoral rolls and church records suggest very few people were living on the mountain.[6]

On 30 January 1893 auctioneers Arthur Martin & Co offered 128 blocks of land, mostly 2-acre (0.81 ha) lots, in the St Bernard Estate, bounded by Alpine Terrace to the north and to the south by Power Parade, St Bernard Street and Siganto Street.[8] The lots were described as suitable for gentlemen's residences with "scenery unsurpassed in Australia" and for the shooter "turkeys, pigeons, wallabies and kangaroos abound".[9]

Much clearing for agriculture took place, though efforts were made to protect the natural values of the area, with Witches Falls National Park (now part of the Tamborine National Park) being declared in 1908, the first in Queensland.[4] The Tamborine National Park is made up of 12 separate sections of land, mainly remnant rainforest, on the plateau and surrounding foothills. A tourist road to the mountain was opened in 1924.[7]

On 30 May 1926 a United Protestant Church was opened in Eagle Heights Road on land donated by Mrs SA Jenyns. It was built by Mr V Anderson. It was available for use by all Protestant denominations but legally owned by the Presbyterian Church. The church continued to be used in that way until the late 1960s. It was purchased by May and Henry Bishopp in 1982 and donated to the Tamborine Mountain Historical Society, who relocated the church to their Tamborine Mountain Heritage Centre at 53 Wongawallan Road (27.9208°S 153.2047°E / -27.9208; 153.2047 (United Protestant Church (relocated))).[10]

In 1927 a branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association was established.[11]

In 1930 land was purchased at 2–4 Geissmann Street on the corner with Main Street (27.9238°S 153.1853°E / -27.9238; 153.1853 (Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church (former))) as a site for a Presbyterian church. A stump capping ceremony was held on 31 January 1931. The Mount Tamborine Presbyterian Church church officially opened on Saturday on 20 June 1931. The total cost of the land and the building was £450.[12] The manse was located at 29 Griffith Street.[13] By 1972 the growing congregation was too large for the church and so it was decided to purchase a 1-acre (0.40 ha) nearby site at 34–36 Main Street (27.9242°S 153.1854°E / -27.9242; 153.1854 (Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church)). The United Protestant Church was closed in March 1972 and sold for $10,000 to Mr E Tannock to fund the new church with the bell and its tower being removed to incorporate into the new church. The manse in Griffith Street was also sold to raise funds. The new church was consecrated on 3 May 1975 by Reverend Colin Kay.[14] A hall was erected at the rear of the new church in 1980.[15] The church on Geissmann Street was sold to fund a new manse.[16] The congregation continued to grow and the church building was extended to double its size and add other amenities. The extended church was officially opened on 14 November 2010.[17]

On 25 September 1990, 11 people were killed and 38 injured when a bus overturned and rolled down a slope on Henri Robert Drive. Most were senior citizens from a social club in Newcastle, New South Wales.[18][19][20] A coronial inquest did not support the laying of criminal charges in relation to the incident.[20]

In the 2016 census, Tamborine Mountain had a population of 7,506 people.[1]

Tamborine Mountain has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Geissmann Drive: Tamborine Mountain Road[21]
• 2–4 Geissmann Street (corner of Main Street): Former Presbyterian Church[22]
• 6–8 Main Street: Former Mountain Crest Guesthouse[22]
• 22 Main Street: Zamia Theatre[22]
• 386–398 Main Western Road: Tamborine Showgrounds and Hall[22]

Gallery Walk, one of the mountain's most popular tourist locations

Human settlement on the plateau is centred on three village communities: North Tamborine, Eagle Heights and Mount Tamborine, with a total population of about 5,100.[25] The plateau is classified as a rural area, with zoning restrictions that prohibit property from being subdivided. There is no reticulated water supply or sewerage system, and residents are dependent on rainwater, bores and septic systems. Many residents commute to work on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane.

The Knoll Lookout, 2012

Tamborine Mountain attracts many tourists to "Gallery Walk" along Long Road, a street devoted to art galleries, cafes and souvenir shops.[25] Other tourism-heavy areas include Main Street, two one-way roads with cafes, library, fuel, hardware stores, newsagent, the Zamia Theatre, various other shops, and the Tamborine Showground Markets, held every second Sunday of the month. A new major shopping precinct contains more of the above, and a SupaIGA supermarket.

The Glow-Worm Caves are a man-made attraction which opened to visitors in March 2006.[27] They are located in one of the many wineries on the mountain. There are several fine dining locations.

Cedar Creek Falls, 2011

Tamborine Mountain is well known for walking tracks winding through rainforest regions and occasionally past cliffs or waterfalls. The most well-known ones are the Curtis Falls rainforest track and the Knoll. The Palm Grove walk is a 30-minute downhill trek to a massive fallen fig tree (blown down by storms in 2013) through a vast skyline filled with 30-metre (98 ft) tall palms. The track passes mountain streams, a waterfall and wildlife. The Botanic Gardens are found in Eagle Heights.

• Tamborine Mountain State High School (Secondary years 7–12)
• Tamborine Mountain College (Primary in 2015 – preps–6, secondary years 7–12)
• Tamborine Mountain State School (primary – year 1 – 7)
• St Bernards State School (primary – year 1 – 7)

The Scenic Rim Regional Council operates a public library on the corner of Main Street and Yuulong Road.[28]

• List of mountains of Australia

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tamborine Mountain, Queensland.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tamborine Mountain.

• "Tamborine Mountain". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
• Discover Tamborine Mountain
• Tamborine Mountain Natural History Association