There are bushwalks all around the Gold Coast. But, if you want something a little different, then head on up to the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, and make peace with your fear of heights! Nicole Buckler reports.
We lowlanders on the Gold Coast don’t get up to the Hinterlands enough. But we should, because it’s rainforesty and naturish and gorgeous. There are lovely locals who are all relaxed and talk about giant staghorns and ferns that are as big as an Arundel townhouse. And all that fresh air. We all need more of it, to cleanse away all of the sins our brain has gathered from watching too much Netflix.
For something different, try the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. The circuit is a 1.5km walk in total and takes it about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. It was built by the Moore family, after they spent four years researching and planning the tourist attraction. Also, as soon as you step onto the steel skywalk, you can feel just how much money was invested in the site.
The skywalk itself hovers at the tops of absolutely huge palm trees. I challenge you to show me taller palm trees than those that exist in this oasis. Colourful birds swoop past your head, so close they threaten to take your eyebrows with them.
This is a place to walk slowly, and take it all in. You have to spend a lot of time just being still, listening to the birds and waiting for nature to appear. This isn’t somewhere to powerwalk at full speed in your designer lycra, Karen. Just calm the hell down or you will miss the point of the exercise.
This walk is very easy and very accessible. Part of it is wheelchair friendly. All of it is unchallenging. With that, people of all abilities can crack on and do the circuit.
The pièce de résistance is the cantilever. This is a place that Instagram dreams are made of.
Of course, it is the journey that counts here. At every turn there is a giant strangler fig, a rare orchid, or a finger lime tree, with fruit waiting to be snatched. Or, there is a seat, positioned perfectly to take in butterflies, birds, platypus or whatever creature is trying to make their living in the beautiful rainforest surrounds.
The walk starts with an Eco gallery, and ends at Skywalk’s Birdwing Coffee Shop. Just have the cookie and the cappuccino, you know you want to! ■
The Skywalk is open 7 days from 9:30am with final walks at 4pm. The Skywalk closes at 5pm. Adults $19.50, Children $9.50, Family $44.00 (2 adults & 1 child), Extra Child $5.00 and Senior/Student Card Holders $16.50.
The Skywalk is located at 333 Geissmann Drive, North Tamborine
See www.rainforestskywalk.com.au for a map. Groups are welcome: Ph 07 5545 2222.
Want to check out other locations you can go to? If yes, then you might want to try checking out Binna Burra in this article.
Editor for Silver Magazine Gold Coast
