Gold Coast hinterland

History

The comprehensive exploration of the area was conducted only as late as 1842. Surveyors attempting to map the Queensland/New South Wales border during the 1860s were hampered by the rough terrain and plateaus. Shortly after timber-getters passed Numinbah Gap from the Tweed Valley, establishing a route from the Tweed region to Brisbane that was later used by coach and bullock teams. In 1907, Witches Falls was protected by Queensland's first national park declaration.

In September 2019 the area was affected by a severe bushfire season. Binna Burra Lodge was destroyed in the fires.

In December 2023, severe storms affected the area. The storms included a tornado which caused widespread destruction.

Tourism

In the Gold Coast hinterland there are various scenic attractions and guesthouses that have led to the development of a vibrant tourism industry, providing a major attraction for visitors to the Gold Coast and people living in the region. Visitor surveys to the hinterland's parks and forests indicate the area is one of Queensland's most significant tourist destinations. Wine-tasting, bird-feeding, eco-tourism and bushwalking are some of the pastimes that attract visitors to the hinterland. Other attractions in the area include O'Reilly's Guesthouse, the Natural Bridge and Binna Burra Lodge. In March 2008, the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connecting the Lamington and Springbrook plateaus was opened. The moderately difficult walking trail provides 54 km of uninterrupted track and takes three days to walk from start to finish. The Kooralbyn Valley Resort within the Gold Coast hinterland was once considered a luxurious hideaway for the late media magnate Kerry Packer.

Geography

This elevated area is part of the Great Dividing Range and contains the headwaters for a number of rivers and creeks including the Coomera River, Nerang River, Pimpama River, Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek. Some of the highest mountains in the hinterland are Mount Nimmel (489 m), Tamborine Mountain (525 m), Mount Cougal (739 m), Tallebudgera Mountain (664 m) and Springbrook Mountain (900 m). In New South Wales to the south are the Tweed Valley and Border Ranges, while the Scenic Rim overlaps and extends westwards from the hinterland.

Suburbs and townships

Land use in the hinterland is divided between protected areas and rural residential living. On the eastern foothills of the hinterland lie the Gold Coast suburbs of Mudgeeraba, Tallebudgera, Guanaba, Cedar Creek, Wongawallan, Mt Nathan, Maudsland and Nerang. There are a number of small villages like Advancetown, Beechmont, Lower Beechmont and Canungra that are considered part of the hinterland.

At the foot of Mount Nimmel lies Austinville and beyond, the towering plateau of Springbrook Mountain, on top of which lies a small township by the same name.

Protected areas

The region has significant natural heritage that is preserved in national parks and has been a major tourist drawcard. Much of the national parks are UNESCO World Heritage-listed as well as listed nationally as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. Springbrook National Park covers 2720 ha of rainforest, plenty of which is accessible by walking trails. Remnants of early forestry history remain; there are several waterfalls, including the famous Purlingbrook Falls, and also many gorges and much rainforest.

Lamington National Park covers 20590 ha of rainforest, consisting mainly of two sections, the Green Mountains and Binna Burra. The longest available walk is 24 km, about 8 hours walking time. Tamborine National Park covers 1160 ha of the Tamborine Mountain, a remnant of the once giant Tweed Volcano.

Closer to the coast, although not technically part of the hinterland, is the Currumbin Valley Reserve.

References

References

1. Prideaux, Bruce. (2014). "Rainforest Tourism, Conservation and Management: Challenges for Sustainable Development". Routledge.
2. Queensland Environmental Protection Agency. (2000). "Heritage Trails of the Great South East". State of Queensland.
3. (9 September 2019). "Queensland bushfires: Binna Burra lodge destroyed as dozens of blazes rage".
4. (28 December 2023). "More storms and a heatwave are on the way for Queensland after wild weather wreaks havoc over Christmas". ABC News.
5. (2008-11-18). "Gold Coast national park tourism contributes $677 million to State Economy". Agents Support Systems.
6. (2006-11-19). "Gold Coast Hinterland". Australianexplorer.com.
7. (2009-03-04). "Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk". The State of Queensland.
8. [https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-hinterland-resort-reopens-eight-years-after-closing-down/news-story/0389a59276d98de4a637bbaa86f9b296 Gold Coast Hinterland’s Kooralbyn Resort reopens eight years after closing down]
9. "Springbrook National Park". Gold-coast.net.
10. "Lamington National Park". Department of Environment and Resource Management.