Brisbane, QLD


Monday, November 14, 2011

TAKING IN THE MOUNTAIN AIR AT TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN.

Tamborine Mountain is only 70k from Brisbane and it has breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and clean, cool air. There is a strong cottage industry, many artists and wineries. 

Rotary Lookout
The pastoralist, Robert Martin Collins was inspired by Yellowstone National Park (the world's first), while he was on a world tour. When he returned he campaigned for National Parks in Queensland. In 1908 The Witches Falls National Park on Tamborine Mountain was established as the first NP in Qld, and the third in the world.

Helen, George, Ann, Paul, Bill, Mary and me behind the camera make up the Birthday Bear group.
 After taking in the air and the scenery at the lookout we went to Cedar Creek Estate, where they have created a rainforest and glow worm cave. It also has a winery and restaurant. While we waited to take a tour of the glow worm cave we wallowed in the beauty around us.





Then it was time to enter the cave. It is a man made cave and a haven for the local glow worms called Arachnocampa flava and they are only found in southeast Qld. Glow worms are the larvae of a small fly. Only the larvae glow and they live for a year but the fly only lives for a few days. The chemicals needed to generate the glow are all produced within the body of the glow worm and the light is projected out of the rear end of the larvae.
Glow worms glow to attract small insects that live in leaf litter and water near where the glow worms reside. They construct snares like a spider web made from silk threads and sticky droplets to capture the insects attracted to their glow.The picture at the left shows a glow worm and its snare. This photo was scanned from the brochure because no photography was allowed in the cave, as flashes would make the glow worms turn off their light.
Inside the cave it was totally dark. The guide had an infrared torch. Looking up to the ceiling of the cave was a wonderful sight. It was like looking up to a sky filled with millions of stars.
I couldn't resist buying this postcard.

 After adjusting our eyes to the light we found the restaurant overlooking the pond. It was very relaxing eating scones and cream with morning tea.

 The restaurant was surrounded by gardens with a variety of flowers. The fuchsias and roses were especially beautiful.

The Knoll Lookout
 There are many lookouts, National Parks, hiking tracks and waterfalls.

We went for a rainforest walk called the Sandy Creek, Cameron Falls circuit. However, we didn't get to the falls as it got a bit steep for some of us. So we headed for an easier stroll through the Botanic Gardens in the next post.

28 comments:

  1. Great report Diane.
    I think we know someone who will enjoy one of the photos? Photo #4!
    I will be back again viewing from the "Cherry Capital" - Young.
    Cheers
    Colin (HB)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous spot! It's one place I haven't really explored yet and have always wanted to visit. Brilliant photos. I just love the shot of those glow-worms and I think that postcard is just fantastic ... typical Aussie humour!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The place looks very beautiful with the flowers and waterfalls. I have never seen a cave with glow-worms, must be very special. It looks so lovely sunny and warm at your place. Here it is 44.6F...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glow worm. I'm still laughing. This place is just beautiful. Aren't we all thankful that some people were there to make these places parks for people to enjoy forever? Neat post!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is absolutely beautiful, Diane! I could have visited far, far longer. The scenery is spectacular and those gardens, incredibly beautiful and so well maintained. I loved hiking with you all and visiting the Glow Worm Cave. What a sight to behold & what an adorable postcard! Thank you for another outstanding treat.

    ReplyDelete
  6. all beautiful, i especially like the rain forest. love the post card. never heard of the glow worms before.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tamborine mountain. Just the name alone would draw me to it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. THanks for a wonderful tour through this National Park, Diane. I loved the Glow Worm Cave (and postcard!) and even though I have glow worms in my garden in South Africa, I've never seen their snare. Very interesting. Beautiful post. Greetings Jo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful Photos! Tamborine Mountain looks like a great place to visit.

    Thanks for your recent comment on My Blog

    Take care and have a wonderful week :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm still laughing about that glo-worm postcard!! just gorgeous.
    What a great day out and those pink water lilies are glorious.

    ReplyDelete
  11. How lovely! And the cream and scones? How were they? It sonds like it was a wonderful day..those glowworms liike like rope lights..so very interesting. Your photos are amazing as usual and I am glad you take us along!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gorgeous gorgeous place, Diane... Love the waterfall!!!!! Wow---your pictures are awesome.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovey place and a very long time since I was there.
    Adore the postcard, gave me a laugh :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have two sick boys at home that postcard had them chuckling.
    What a beautiful place thankyou for the hike.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I remember that view ... and I just love the postcard.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The glow worm cave sounds fascinating, I would love to see the ceiling. The whole park looks like a great place to visit with its trails and gorgeous views.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It was fun catching up with Birthday Bear and I loved all these photos. Lovely to see you all enjoying yourselves, scenery was fantastic, laughed at the glow worm postcard and was so interested in those cave photos with the threads hanging down from the ceiling. Isn't nature wonderful? Another great post!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a beautiful excursion ! I wished I was Birthday bear !

    ReplyDelete
  19. This looks like a wonderful place to visit and enjoy the marvelous scenery. The view from the lookouts is fabulous. The glow worms must also be a sight to behold. Thanks for taking us along with you as you enjoyed this beautiful park.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Diane, I envy you seeing all this beauty. What a joy to enjoy in your retirement!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What gorgeous views from Tamborine Mountain! And the glow worm cave sounds really fun! I bet kids love it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The scientific name of this Australian and New Zealand glowworm is Arachnocampa flava. Just thought I'd throw that in in case anyone wants to look it up.

    ReplyDelete
  23. All super pictures but the one with you all in a row must be a nice souvenir.

    Greetings,
    Filip

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great views from Mt Tamborine, Diane. I had a brief drive around that area some 10 years ago and just loved the scenery, atmosphere, birds, etc. I also managed to spend time at the top of the ridge watching some hang-gliders taking off; changed my mind about participating in that previously long-held ambition!! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Glow worms! I am green with envy as I've always wanted to see glow worms. Lucky you!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'll keep this place in mind for when I go to QLD.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You have shared beautiful pictures with us. Mt tambourine is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. They have some amazing eye-catching places over there. I am looking forward to visit Mt tambourine again.

    http://www.mountainedge.com.au/

    ReplyDelete