Document Actions
A Unique Experience Awaits at Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
The Gold Coast's new Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk allows everyone to view the rainforest at Cedar Creek from a truly unique perspective along elevated walkways through different layers of the rainforest canopy.
Only 40 minutes drive from Surfers Paradise lies the Tamborine Mountain National Park. The sub-tropical rainforest walks, waterfalls and small villages such as Eagle Heights and North Tamborine have always been a popular destination for visitors and Gold Coasters alike. Many come here for a break from the hustle and bustle and to enjoy the cooler temperatures.
Days before going on the adventure I was excited by the thought of walking upon the free-standing steel Rainforest Cantilever which soars 30 metres out and above Cedar Creek.
However nothing prepared me for the cantilevers unique perspective of the rainforest canopy, a perspective which allows you to absorb the Red Cedars, Piccabeen Palms, tree ferns and tangled vines which dangle, cling or fight their way to their favourable micro-climate, space or sunlight.
Standing upon the steel elevation, I marvelled at the bright green top canopy and dazzling white Galahs bathing in the morning sun whilst squeaking Lorikeets flew beneath my feet in the cool shady middle canopy. Tarzan and Jane were the only notable absences from this spectacular rainforest view!
Along the walk are carefully placed info-boards. Having been an avid rainforest walker for many years I was really glad to finally learn the plant and animal names and interesting facts about the rainforest that I had never had the chance to learn before.
For example I love what I have always referred to as "tree-ferns". The ferns that attach themselves to trees about 20-30metres up another tree' trunk.
Well thanks to some helpful information and a better view, I now know they are called Epiphytic Ferns and the ones we see in the Tamborine rainforest are normally the Staghorn and Elkhorn Ferns. They catch falling leaves from the tree they have hitched a ride with, these leaves slide into the ferns bigger 'leaves' and subsequently rot down to feed the fern. Very clever.
Another inhabitant not for the faint-hearted is the popular Strangler Fig. You will have seen this vine, stretching its arms around bigger trees. In the rainforest the strangler fig germinates only in the branches of a host tree - from the seed 'deposited' by birds. Then many roots are sent down and they gradually cover and strangle the host tree, which eventually rots out, leaving the mature fig in its place.
There are some excellent examples of ferns and strangler figs along the walk.
Other highlights of the walk includes the cool shady stream and rockpool at Cedar Creek. You would never know that frogs, small rainbow fish, shrimps, crayfish and even fishing spiders share this enchanting watercourse.
It took me about an hour to enjoy this walk however depending on your time to you could halve or double this, especially if you enjoy the view over a coffee from their balcony café.
After such a unique experience in the Gold Coast Hinterland, I can now recommend this alternative attraction whilst on the Gold Coast. I can guarantee you it's a much slower pace to Dreamworlds 130m 'Giant Drop'!
Reference :
-
Tamborine Mountain
- Tamborine Mountain offers a quiet respite from busy city life. The Tamborine Mountain communities stretch along the McPherson Range, offering spectacular views to the valleys below and the impressive high-rises of the Gold Coast.
