TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN STORIES give you an insight into many of the local businesses and characters you will find when you Escape to Tamborine Mountain.
CHRISTMAS ON TAMBORINEIT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE… CHRISTMAS ON TAMBORINE
Step into Maggie’s store on Tamborine Mountain’s Gallery Walk at any time of the year and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s December 25th already. But “Christmas on Tamborine” has come all the same— that’s the store, not the holiday! But no matter the date, Maggie is more than happy to share her love of the festive season (and the touching story behind how she brought it to the mountain) with us today.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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WISTERIA SEWING SERVICESA STITCH IN TIME – WISTERIA SEWING SERVICES
Living in a place like Tamborine Mountain, a place that exists in harmony with nature, tends to open your eyes to a way of living more suited to keeping that balance. Why throw out those old clothes that don’t quite fit anymore when you’ve got much better options? At least, Donna McKillop of Wisteria Sewing Services thinks so. For 8 years she’s been making alterations and adjustments to clothes, curtains and cushions galore from her mountain shop.
by Kyle Hitchmough
MOUNTAIN LOVE FLOWERSROSES ARE RED – MOUNTAIN LOVE FLOWERS
Flowers just make people happy, and nobody knows that better than Stephanie Hill of Mountain Love Flowers. Whether it’s a proposal, a birthday or an apology, a romantic weekend away or a full-blown wedding, Stephanie is an expert in bringing a little floral happiness to mountain locals, and she’s just as happy to give us some insight today.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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CREATIVE BODY FLOWGO WITH THE FLOW – CREATIVE BODY FLOW
The verdant tranquility and vibrant community of Tamborine Mountain makes it an inspirational destination for those seeking to clear their mind and heal their body. Renae Stevens knows all about that, a pioneer in aerial yoga and creative arts therapy who’s brought the two together at her business Creative Body Flow.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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AVOCADO SUNSETHOLY GUACAMOLE – AVOCADO SUNSET
The beautiful views are just one reason people flock to Tamborine Mountain, but it’s one Jilly and Mel Brown have taken full advantage of as the owners of Avocado Sunset Bed & Breakfast. For them, arrival on the mountain is a new beginning, a fresh start as they rise from the ashes of tragedy to embrace a future as bright as the sunset view from which the business takes its very appropriate name. We’re lucky enough to hear their story today.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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ESCARPMENT RETREAT & DAY SPAESCAPE, EXPERIENCE, REJUVENATE at ESCARPMENT
There are few getaway destinations as beautiful as Tamborine Mountain, surrounded in a cradle of nature with the most breathtaking views in the Gold Coast hinterlands. Few people know this better than Shane Walker, manager of Escarpment Retreat & Day Spa, one of many jewels of accommodation amidst the visual treasure hoard that the mountain provides.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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THE BEARDED DRAGONTHE PUB IS THE HUB – BEARDED DRAGON, TAMBORINE
An interview with the manager of the Bearded Dragon, Tamborine’s iconic watering hole. The Bearded Dragon Hotel and Tavern has been a staple of Tamborine Village for more than 20 years.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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MOUNTVIEW ALPACA FARMALPACA YOUR BAGS
We’ve talked about the local wine scene here before, but it’s not often you expect to share that experience with a furry friend. Hence, I was quite eager to talk with Shania Pack, manager of the family-run Mountview Alpaca Farm situated in O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard, to learn more about this fascinating and fluffy arrangement.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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PURPLE DOOR BEAUTYBEHIND THE PURPLE DOOR – PURPLE DOOR BEAUTY
Tamborine Mountain is undeniably a beautiful place, a cradle of aesthetic wonder nestled in the hinterlands. So too, then, is Purple Door Beauty tucked away within the mountain community, a salon where Lindy-Lou works to transform her clients into visions of beauty…
by Kyle Hitchmough
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SPICE OF LIFE CAFE & DELISPICE UP YOUR LIFE
One of Tamborine Mountain’s most innovative eateries, Spice of Life is a café and deli (among a host of other facets) that has been running for nearly 15 years. We explore the secrets behind this hot (and spicy) spot.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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FRANQUETTE BAKERYC’EST MAGNIFIQUE – FRANQUETTE
The magic of Tamborine Mountain lies, according to many people, in the charm of its small-town atmosphere, yet it’s more connected than you might think in more ways than one. Thanks to Jerome Favier—owner of Franquette, the mountain’s new French bakery— the divide is smaller than ever.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL MARKETSIN THE MARKET FOR FUN
The Tamborine Mountain State School Markets are an extremely well-known fixture on the mountain, operating on the last Sunday of each month. Kelly Hatezic is the market coordinator, and she reveals the secrets of operating such a famous attraction.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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MT TAMBORINE BAZAARHOW BAZAAR – MT TAMBORINE BAZAAR
Tamborine Mountain might be a smaller community than something you might find in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, but it’s no less a melting pot of the various cultures that reside there to produce something even more beautiful than the sum of its parts — even in ways you might not expect. Take the Mt. Tamborine Bazaar, owned and operated by Mostafa Abdelghany, providing perfumed perfection in vessels of your choice. Mostafa’s more than happy to take a deep dive with us on the fascinating history of his trade.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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CRACKERS BARBERSHOPLET’S GET CRACKING – CRACKERS MENS BARBERSHOP
Barbershops and hairdressers across all places and cultures often represent more than just a place to get your hair cut—they’re places where people can unwind, be treated to a fresh new look and allow themselves to be open and relaxed. Crackers Mens Barbershop on Tamborine Mountain is no different, taking care of the mountain mens’ grooming, and providing them a space of their own, for 24 years running. Gary Freeman, owner and barber, has a long history in his trade, and it’s given him an enlightening perspective on mountain life.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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TRAVELLING PLACESOH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO – TRAVELLING PLACES
Even in such a beautiful place as Tamborine Mountain, it can be hard to resist the wanderlust call of adventure. Not to worry, though— Gina Storey of Travelling Places has you covered. For 30 years last week (at time of writing) this local travel agency has been sending residents on the holidays of their dreams and bringing them back again to share their stories with the community. Today it’s Gina’s turn to tell us her tale.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE - BOOKSHOP & ARTSPACETHE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE – UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE BOOKSHOP & ARTSPACE
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but should you have to choose at all? Janene Gardner, owner of Under The Greenwood Tree Bookshop & Artspace doesn’t think so. Marrying her passions for literature and art in one magical, ever-changing space, Janene has as much to say about her time both on Tamborine Mountain and in her industry as is contained in her many books, and each word just as fascinating. We were lucky enough to sit down with her (and her two shop dogs, Finn and Pippi Longstocking) to hear her story.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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BAILEY’S IRISH BAR AND RESTAURANTNO IRISH GOODBYE – BAILEY’S IRISH BAR AND RESTAURANT
Clancy’s Irish Bar and Restaurant needs no introduction to the Tamborine Mountain community, especially not frequent readers of this page who will know we’ve covered it before. For many years it was a local icon, a gathering point for residents and must-see for tourists, until closing its doors in 2021. However, this is no occasion to pour one out: this heart of the community beats once more under a new name and new management. Tina Bailey and her family, of what is now Bailey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant, have brought new life to the business, preserving the flavour that makes this pub so adored while serving up some fresh new ideas to the delight of mountain locals. How? Read on to find out.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN COFFEE PLANTATIONI LIKE MY COFFEE – TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN COFFEE PLANTATION
Coffee: it makes the world go round. Everybody likes their coffee their way, and so there’s no shortage of places on Tamborine Mountain you can relax with a good cup of joe. But there’s only one that makes it from scratch— and we do mean from scratch. The Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation not only has a delightful café atmosphere, but just around the corner you can actually see the coffee beans being grown and processed in-house, and even take a tour. We spoke to café supervisor Taisha Fabre— with a little input from owner Sam Williams taking time out of his busy day— to get to the bottom of this coffee cup of mystery.
by Kyle Hitchmough
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