Mt Tamborine

Located in the Scenic Rim, Mount Tamborine sits on the edge of the escarpment on the Gold Coast hinterland about 40 kilometres west from the Pacific coast. It is also the collective term for the small villages scattered along the eight-kilometre ridge of the mountain range. Tamborine comes from the local Yugambeh word Jambreen or Tchambreem for the wild finger lime trees that grow on the mountain. Tamborine Mountain is at around 550m above sea level and is part of an ancient volcanic rim. The mountain offers an agreeable escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The many natural attractions on offer are very accessible and include several lookout points for enjoying uninterrupted fantastic views to the surrounding hinterland and coastline.

Justins Lookout.

A resort hotel in Eagle Heights has great lookouts for uninterrupted views to the coast.

Hang Gliders Park. Gliders using this cleared section of the escarpment as a launch site. 

he park is ideal for views inland to the west of the Scenic Rim. 

Knoll Road lookout on and to the north is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

In town are many information signs to all kinds of attractions: resorts and accommodation establishments, gifts and souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, breweries hotels distilleries wineries, but especially the national parks and gardens. A visit to the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens is a must. Here one can take to the many pathways and explore the blend of both tropical and temperate forests and plants. The Gardens feature azaleas, bromeliads, camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias. maples, orchids, perennials, rhododendrons, roses and many more including camote plots. 

Queensland’s first national park, Witches Falls, is in Tamborine Mountain. 

Driving along the quiet backroads brings one to various hidden delights.

A garden tepee where you can say gday to the lorikeets and honeyeater birds. 

Backyard farmed fruits and vegetables adorn stalls or trailers on the roadside.

They're selling avocados mandarins and other citrus, not postcards.

In Tamborine Mountain you can enjoy the  serenity and quietude of the shadowy sunny greenery of a secret garden’s expansive grassy backyard.

In Eagle Heights, you can sight an eagle overhead, or the numerous local birdlife such as magpies and kookaburras. Or you can take aim at the Gold Coast. 

More views to the inland. The centre of the crater was the now flat area that can be seen from various inland lookout points along the western edge of the mountain providing for endless escarpment views. Numerous lakes in the valley reflect the evening rays, whilst the long shadows mesmerise. and the sunsets take your breath away.

In the deep rainforest.

The narrow dirt trails and steep slippery rocky descents lead to Cameron falls. 

Back in town, a walk down the long tarred backroads takes one to a sayote farm, or some bright flowers. 

Another popular attraction is the Gallery walk which boasts over 60 art and craft, gift and nick-knack, and culinary shops suit all tastes and budgets. There are also roadside stalls selling farm produce fruits and vegetables including many exotic tropical natural delights.

Good morning merry magpie – catch two of them with one hand. 

Meanwhile back at the farm, you can say g'day to the ponies and amuse the alpaca with stories.

Or watch the sheep turn the other cheek. 

Views to Gold Coast. Coastal lookouts (to the east) are not always easily accessible and often lack parking facilities. There are lookouts on Magnetic Drive and Oxenford Road and other points. These lookout spots all over the mountain have fantastic coastal views, often stretching from Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast skyline to Tweed Heads.  Motorists need to take great care when stopping to admire the views. They are likewise expected to respect the privacy of residents. At night, the Surfer’s Paradise skyline comes alive, with thousands of lights twinkling in the distance. 

The rolling hills on the Eastern side of Tamborine Mountain were formed by run-off lava.

Sing another verse to that old song

Guy Clark was one of the most influential country songwriters. He died three years ago on May 17, 2016. The songs of Guy Clark are touchstones of great songwriting.

1.      L.A. Freeway 

If I can just get off of this LA freeway 

Without getting killed or caught

I'd be down that road in a cloud of smoke 

For some land that I ain't bought bought bought.

2.      She Ain't Goin' Nowhere 

Standin' on the gone side of leavin' 

She found a thumb and stuck it in the breeze...

And she had a way of her own 

Like prisoners have a way with a file.

3.      A Nickel for the Fiddler 

And it's country music in the park 

and everybody's ruined.

4.      That Old Time Feeling

And that old time feelin' rocks and spits and cries, 

Like an old lover rememberin' the girl with the clear blue eyes.

5.      Desperados Waiting for a Train

So we just closed our eyes and dreamed us up a kitchen 

And sang another verse to that old song.

6.      Like A Coat from the Cold

I have flown like a bird from each cage that confined me 

And broken every one of the ties that bind me.

7.      Instant Coffee Blues

It's all done with mirrors, of which they have none. 

To blend the instant coffee blues into the morning sun.

8.      Let Him Roll

Too many days of fightin' the weather 

And too many nights of not being together

So he died... Let him roll.

9.      Anyhow, I Love You

I wish I had a dime for every bad time 

But the bad times always seem to keep the change.

10.   The Ballad of Laverne and Captain Flint 

Old Flint's boat is fine and she's called the Miss-Inclined 

And there's no home port painted on her stern.

11.   The Randall Knife

I'd cried for every lesser thing 

Whiskey, pain and beauty.

12.   Old Friends

And you're really feeling fragile And you really can't get home 

And you really feel abandoned But you want to be alone.

13.   Immigrant Eyes

Some were one desk away from sweet freedom 

Some were were torn from someone they love.

14.   Boats to Build

It's time for a change I'm tired of that same ol' same 

The same ol' words the same ol' lines 

The same ol' tricks and the same ol' rhymes.

15.   Ramblin'Jack & Mahan

Now there's a pair to draw to boys 

I would not steer you wrong.

16.   Dublin Blues

I am just a poor boy, hmm Work's my middle name 

If money was the reason Well, I would not be the same. 

So forgive me all my anger Forgive me all my faults 

There's no need to forgive me For thinkin' what I thought.

17.   Stuff That Works

I got an ol' blue shirt And it suits me just fine 

I like the way it feels So I wear it all the time.

18.   Hank Williams Said It Best

One man's right is another man's wrong, 

One man's curse is another man's song 

Hank Williams said it best 

He said it a long time ago 

"Unless you have made no mistakes in your life

Be careful of stones that you throw".

19.   The Cape

He's one of those who knows that life Is just a leap of faith 

Spread your arms and hold your breath 

Always trust your cape.

20.   Cold Dog Soup

Ain't no money in poetry 

That's what sets the poet free 

I've had all the freedom I can stand.

21.   Red River

Here's to the bootleggers and the oilfield crews 

Here's to the one and all of us Red River fools.

22.   Die Tryin' 

What's the use in dyin' If you don't die tryin' 

If you don't die tryin' What's the use.

23.   Magnolia Wind

It's once in a lifetime and it won't come again 

It's here and it's gone on a magnolia wind.

24.   Soldier's Joy, 1864

Give me some of that Soldier's Joy, ain't you got no more 

Hand me down my walkin' cane I ain't cut out for war.

25.   Homeless

You know life ain't easy It takes work… 

When the final line unfolds, 

It don't always rhyme.

26.   Out in the Parkin' Lot

Some have given up, some have given in 

Looks like everybody's looking for a friend

Out in the parking lot.

27.   Hemingway's Whiskey 

Now there more to life than whiskey 

There's more to words than rhyme 

Sometime nothing works

Sometimes nothing shines.

28.   MaybeI Can Paint Over That

And I have stumbled in my time

I left my footprints down the road 

And the part of me that shines

Ain't the part of me that's showed 

Maybe I can paint over that.

29.   My Favorite Picture of You

My favorite picture of you Is the one where Your wings are showing

Oh and your arms are crossed Your fists are clenched Not gone but going.

30.   I Don't Love You Much Do I

I don't love you much do I I'd follow you to hell and back again.

31.   The Last Gunfighter Ballad

So much for the smell of the black powder smoke

And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke.

32.   The Guitar

So I hit a couple of chords In my old country way of strumming.

33.   Black Diamond Strings

Black Diamond Strings on a Catalog Guitar

That's pretty high cotton whoever you are.

34.   SomedaysYou Write the Song

It don't matter how much it hurts 

You've got to tell the truth

Some days you write the song

Some days the song writes you.

To paraphrase The Guy:

So take me to a barroom driver

Set me on a stool

If I can't listen to Guy Clark

I'm damned if I'll be a fool.