Discover the real magic of Tamborine Mountain on the Hop on Hop off Glow Worm Day Tour from the Gold Coast – a pretty laid back but still pretty cool way to see all that this incredible hinterland spot has to offer. On the tour, you get to join a guided visit to the Glow Worm Caves – a real highlight of the day, and if that’s not all, you’ll get to take in the stunning views of the rainforest, sample some of the local produce, and stop off wherever takes your fancy. All in a pretty chill, eco-friendly, family-friendly day out that is perfect for a break from the usual Gold Coast buzz.
Price options
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Adult 135,00 A$
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Pensioner 132,00 A$
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Child 89,00 A$
Departure Time
- Full Day
- Departs: 8:30am
- from the Gold Coast
Introduction
If you’re looking for a day out that is a bit different from the norm, then this experience is definitely worth considering. You’ll head up to Tamborine Mountain in the morning and find yourself in this lovely cool rainforest haven that just happens to be filled with all the great things you’d want to see and do – boutique shops, yummy food spots and loads of interesting conservation projects.
The real star of the show, though, is the guided walk through the Glow Worm Caves – a real treat. These caves are specially designed to provide a safe home for thousands of glow worms, and the folk who take care of them are super passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. and share all sorts of incredible insights and facts about the caves and the surrounding rainforest – it’s a real eye-opener. After that, it’s your day to do as you please. Pop into a winery or café, take in a view from one of the many lookouts, wander along Gallery Walk, or just potter about the mountain at your own pace – the choice is yours.
Details
- Duration: About 6 hours – just long enough to take in all the sights without getting bored
- Price: Starts at AUD $115.00
- Where from: We’ll pick you up from a range of different hotels on the Gold Coast
- Transport: You’re going to be travelling in style in our luxury air-conditioned bus
- Style: It’s a guided tour, but you’re also free to do your own thing
- Eco-friendly: Yep, we’re on board with the environment and are using our trip to help out with conservation efforts
Highlights
- ✔️ Get to see the famous Glow Worm Caves for yourself – and learn loads about these tiny little critters
- ✔️ Listen to the experts and get the lowdown on glow worm biology, rainforests and conservation – really interesting and worth a listen
- ✔️ Wander through the rainforest on a boardwalk that takes you deep into a restored habitat – it’s a real treat
- ✔️ Spend some time at a local winery (if you want to, and it’s just $10 for a tasting) – or just check it out if you’re not into wine
- ✔️ Get to stop at all the top spots around Tamborine Mountain – and take in the views from some of the iconic Scenic Rim lookouts – so much to see
- ✔️ Take a break and grab a coffee or snack at one of the local cafes or restaurants – a lovely way to take a breather
- ✔️ Hear the stories and history from your guide – they know loads about the area and are happy to share it with you
- ✔️ Know that you’re supporting the local environment and the conservation efforts going on in the area – we love doing things the eco-friendly way
What you can actually see!
Booking
Full Itinerary
Get Picked Up at Your Gold Coast Hotel
We’ll collect you from your Gold Coast hotel, then we’re off on a leisurely drive into the Scenic Rim, with all sorts of interesting stories about the region, its wildlife and the awesome landscapes you’ll be seeing.
Scenic Rim’s Best Viewpoints
We stop at some of the top lookouts along the way so you can take in the breathtaking views of valleys and mountains stretching as far as the eye can see.
Take a Glow Worm Cave Tour with a Biologist
Once we arrive at the Scenic Rim, you’ll join a biologist for a guided tour through a special glow-worm habitat that we’ve built to protect these amazing creatures from the elements and human impact.
Inside the cave, you can:
- Get up close and personal with glow worms
- Check out their incredible sticky silk threads
- Learn about how this artificial cave keeps them safe from the outside world
Your ticket also gets you into the frogs and bugs exhibition – a fun and educational part of the tour.
Climb on and off the Tamborine Mountain Loop for as Long as You Like
We give you unlimited access to a hop-on, hop-off service all around Tamborine Mountain. The stops usually include:
- A stroll down the Gallery Walk (shops, cafes and distilleries)
Lookouts and short walks for a taste of the local scenery
Wineries and local food producers to check out
- A stroll down the Gallery Walk (shops, cafes and distilleries)
Optional Wine Tasting – Pay a Little Extra for a Treat
You can also treat yourself to some local wines for a small extra fee (pay on the day at the winery – $10 per person). Wine tasting is entirely optional.
Take Your Time for Morning Tea or Exploring
Relax at one of Tamborine’s best cafes, grab a snack, or wander through the local markets – it’s all part of the day’s fun.
Back to the Gold Coast
Get back on the shuttle at any time that suits you for the drive back to your hotel.
- A luxury round trip from the Gold Coast
- A professional guide to make sure you’re having a great time
- A guided tour of the Glow Worm Caves on Tamborine Mountain
- Entry to the frog and bug exhibit
- A drive through Tamborine Mountain National Park
- All the lookout stops you can handle
- We’re committed to eco-friendly practices
- Unlimited hop-on hop-off service around Tamborine Mountain
Treats and Extras
(Not included but available during the tour)
- Wine tasting fee – that’s just $10 for wine fans
- Door-to-door pickup (extra charge if you’re not in one of our designated drop-off areas)
- Any meals, drinks or other purchases you might want to make during your free time
Keen for more than just the rainforest? Tamborine Mountain is a legendary escape, but the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef are calling too! If you’re looking to balance your hinterland hike with some island hopping, have a squiz at our other Great Barrier Reef Tours. From the mountains to the sea, we’ve got your Aussie holiday sorted!
- Comfortable shoes for walking (we’ve got some great short walks on the itinerary)
- A light jacket (it can get chilly in the caves and rainforest areas)
- Water bottle to keep you hydrated
- A camera or smartphone to capture all the amazing views
- Sun protection (we’ve got hats, sunscreen and the rest)
- Some cash for wine tastings, snacks and shopping
This is a daytime tour, perfect for families and anyone who doesn’t want to do a late night glow worm tour.
We can still run the tour if it’s a bit drizzly – the rainforest on Tamborine Mountain actually loves it when it’s wet.
In the event of really bad weather, we might have to change our route or cancel the tour for safety reasons – we’ll keep you posted.
Keep an eye on the official weather forecast – not just what the media are saying.
For accurate weather info, check out:
Higgins Storm Chasing
Bureau of Meteorology
QLD Fire and Emergency Services
QLD Traffic Maps
We’re happy to accommodate a range of dietary needs – just let us know what you need:
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Anything else – we’ll do our best to make it happen
Just give us a heads up at the time of booking, and we’ll sort it out for you.
Public Tours
If you cancel at least 48 hours before your tour is due to start, it’s free!
But if you’ve booked through an agent, you’ve got to cancel through them.
Private Tours
We need a non-refundable deposit to secure your booking.
If you need to change the date, we might be able to move it for you – but there could be a rebooking fee, and that’ll depend on how far in advance you’re asking to move it.
Weather-related Cancellations
We won’t run a tour if conditions are bad enough to put our guests in danger.
If we do have to cancel due to bad weather, you can either rebook or get a credit/refund, depending on the circumstances.
FAQ
Do I have to go at night to see the glowworms?
No way – this cave has been set up for daytime viewing, so you can go at a time that suits you.
Can I hop on or off the shuttle at multiple stops?
Absolutely – our Hop On Hop Off service means you can explore the mountain at your own pace.
How long is the glowworm cave tour?
It lasts about 30 minutes and is led by a trained biologist to make sure you get the most out of it.
Is this tour okay for kids?
Definitely – kids love the caves, the frog display, and the rainforest walks.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We’ll usually run the tour in most conditions, but if the weather gets really bad, we might need to adjust the itinerary or even cancel with some notice – safety is always our top priority.
Is the winery visit part of the tour?
Yes, but any wine tastings you do will cost you $10 each – payable at the winery.
Do you cater for food allergies?
We’ve got you covered – just let us know about any dietary needs you’ve got when you book, and we’ll make sure we can accommodate them.