Tamborine Mountain

This article is about the plateau and locality in Queensland, Australia. For the rural town below the mountain, see Tamborine, Queensland. For the 1995 Rick Price album, see Tamborine Mountain (album).

Tamborine Mountain
Left to right; Bavarian Grill Haus & Red Baron Brewery, The Polish Place Gallery Walk, Tamborine Mountain, Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens
Highest point
Elevation	525 m (1,722 ft)
Naming
Native name	Jambreen (Minjungbal)
Geography
Location	Queensland, Australia
Parent range	Great Dividing Range
Geology
Rock age	Aquitanian
Mountain type	Shield volcano

Tamborine Mountain Queensland
Tamborine Mountain
Coordinates	27.9697°S 153.1994°E / -27.9697; 153.1994 (Tamborine Mountain (centre of locality))
Population	8,105 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	190.71/km^2 (493.9/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4272
Area	42.5 km^2 (16.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	Scenic Rim Region
State electorate(s)	Scenic Rim
Federal division(s)	Wright
Suburbs around Tamborine Mountain: Tamborine Cedar Creek Wongawallan Boyland Tamborine Mountain Guanaba Wonglepong Benobble Witheren Clagiraba

Tamborine Mountain, also simply known as Mount Tamborine, is a plateau, geographic subregion^[2] and locality in the Scenic Rim Region of Queensland, Australia.^[3][4] In the 2021 census, Tamborine Mountain had a population of 8,105 people.^[1]

Geography

The plateau is a 28 km² (11 sq mi), 8 by 4 kilometres (5.0 by 2.5 mi). The name is from the Yugumbir language of the Wangerriburra Clan, a from Jambireen meaning wild lime tree, or dum/gom bireen meaning yam in a cliff.^[4]

There are three towns on the plateau: North Tamborine, Eagle Heights and Mount Tamborine, with a total population of about 5,100.^[5] The plateau is classified as a rural area, with zoning restrictions that prohibit property from being subdivided. There is no reticulated water supply or sewerage system, and residents are dependent on rainwater, bores and septic systems. Many residents commute to work on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane.^{[citation needed]}

The Tamborine Mountain road network enables access to the plateau from four points in the surrounding lowlands, providing alternatives in case of flooding, other natural disasters, or planned maintenance works.

Geology

The geological origin of the plateau is a lava flow from the Mount Warning volcanic eruption 22 million years ago. Tamborine Mountain rises at the start of the north-east section of the Scenic Rim, the name given to a group of mountains in South East Queensland.

Important Bird Area

The mountain is an important area for Albert's lyrebirds

Parts of the plateau and surrounding foothills encompassing the wet subtropical rainforest habitats below the largely cleared plateau summit, and above the surrounding eucalypt forests, have been identified as a 38 km² (15 sq mi) Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. It includes the southern fragments of the Tamborine National Park. The IBA supports an isolated northern population of Albert's lyrebirds, as well as pale-yellow robins, green catbirds, regent bowerbirds and Australian logrunners.^[6] Additional significant birds recorded from the site are glossy black cockatoos, sooty owls, marbled frogmouths and noisy pittas. Other animals present in the IBA include platypuses, short-beaked echidnas and Richmond birdwings.^[7]

Roads

Main article: Tamborine Mountain road network

A group of roads provides access to the mountain community from various lowland localities. These roads ensure continuity of access in times of flooding or other natural disasters, and during planned maintenance activities.

History

Timber cutting at Tamborine Mountain in 1912

Tamborine Mountain was inhabited by Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years and, at the time of early British colonisation, it was in territory of the Wanggeriburra clan of the Yugambeh people. The origin of the name Tamborine comes from the anglicised version of the word Jambreen from the Yugambeh language.^[8] The spelling also appears on early records as Tchambreem, Tamboreen and even Goombireen,^[8] meaning "place of yams", and refers only to a specific vicinity within the modern day settlement of Tamborine. The actual mountain had a different name which appears to have not been recorded.^[9][10]

By the late 1850s, most of the Wanggeriburra had been extinguished from the region through the cruel treatment of the colonists and the mass-shooting operations of the Native Police, particularly those conducted by Sub-Inspector Frederick Wheeler.^[11][10]

Prior to British settlement, the mountain was covered with a diverse range of forest types.^[8] Unlike the lower land surrounding the mountain, the thick scrub on the mountain was seen as a barrier to settlement so the mountain was not opened for selection until 1875.^[12] However, the selectors were living in the surrounding area and being within 15 miles (24 km) of their selections were exempt from the requirements to live on their selections. Most did not develop the land and sold it once they were granted freehold.^[13] In 1878 the first selectors settled on the mountain blocks: John O'Callaghan (deputising for William Walsh) and his nephew, E.H. O'Callaghan.^[14] By 1886 most of the mountain had been selected but electoral rolls and church records suggest very few people were living on the mountain.^[13]

On 30 January 1893, auctioneers Arthur Martin & Co offered 128 blocks of land, mostly 2-acre (0.81 ha) lots, in the St Bernard Estate, bounded by Alpine Terrace to the north and to the south by Power Parade, St Bernard Street and Siganto Street.^[15] The lots were described as suitable for gentlemen's residences with "scenery unsurpassed in Australia" and for the shooter "turkeys, pigeons, wallabies and kangaroos abound".^[16]

Tambourine Mountain Provisional School opened in February 1893 in a small cottage provided by William Geissman.^[17][18] On 2 February 1900 it became Tambourine Mountain State School, later adopting the spelling Tamborine Mountain State School.^[19][20]

Much clearing for agriculture took place, though efforts were made to protect the natural values of the area, with Witches Falls National Park (now part of the Tamborine National Park) being declared in 1908, the first in Queensland.^[8] The Tamborine National Park is made up of 12 separate sections of land, mainly remnant rainforest, on the plateau and surrounding foothills. A tourist road to the mountain was opened in 1924.^[14]

St Bernard State School opened on 27 January 1914.^[21]

On 30 May 1926, a United Protestant Church was opened in Eagle Heights Road on land donated by Mrs SA Jenyns. It was built by Mr V Anderson. It was available for use by all Protestant denominations but legally owned by the Presbyterian Church. The church continued to be used in that way until the late 1960s. It was purchased by May and Henry Bishopp in 1982 and donated to the Tamborine Mountain Historical Society, who relocated the church to their Tamborine Mountain Heritage Centre at 53 Wongawallan Road (27.9208°S 153.2047°E / -27.9208; 153.2047 (United Protestant Church (relocated))).^[22]

In 1927, a branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association was established.^[23]

In 1930 land was purchased at 2–4 Geissmann Street on the corner with Main Street (27.9238°S 153.1853°E / -27.9238; 153.1853 (Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church (former))) as a site for a Presbyterian church. A stump capping ceremony was held on 31 January 1931. The Mount Tamborine Presbyterian Church church officially opened on Saturday on 20 June 1931. The total cost of the land and the building was £450.^[24] The manse was located at 29 Griffith Street.^[25] By 1972 the growing congregation was too large for the church and so it was decided to purchase a 1-acre (0.40 ha) nearby site at 34–36 Main Street (27.9242°S 153.1854°E / -27.9242; 153.1854 (Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church)). The United Protestant Church was closed in March 1972 and sold for $10,000 to Mr E Tannock to fund the new church with the bell and its tower being removed to incorporate into the new church. The manse in Griffith Street was also sold to raise funds. The new church was consecrated on 3 May 1975 by Reverend Colin Kay.^[26] A hall was erected at the rear of the new church in 1980.^[27] The church on Geissmann Street was sold to fund a new manse.^[28] The congregation continued to grow and the church building was extended to double its size and add other amenities. The extended church was officially opened on 14 November 2010.^[29]

On 25 September 1990, 11 people were killed and 38 injured when a bus overturned and rolled down a slope on Henri Robert Drive. Most were senior citizens from a social club in Newcastle, New South Wales.^[30][31][32] A coronial inquest did not support the laying of criminal charges in relation to the incident.^[32]

Tamborine Mountain College opened in 1995.^[21]

The Tamborine Mountain Campus of Helensvale State High School opened in 1999 with approximately 150 students in Years 8 and 9. It became Tamborine Mountain State High School in January 2001.^[21][33]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Tamborine Mountain had a population of 7,506 people.^[34]

In the 2021 census, Tamborine Mountain had a population of 8,105 people.^[1]

Heritage listings

Tamborine Mountain has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Tamborine Mountain Road, accessed from Geissmann Drive^[35]
• former Presbyterian Church, 2–4 Geissmann Street (corner of Main Street)^[36]
• former Mountain Crest Guesthouse, 6–8 Main Street^[36]
• Zamia Theatre, 22 Main Street^[36]
• Tamborine Showgrounds and Hall, 386–398 Main Western Road^[36]

Education

Tamborine Mountain State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Curtis Road (27.9308°S 153.2002°E / -27.9308; 153.2002 (Tamborine Mountain State School)).^[37][38] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 581 students with 47 teachers (41 full-time equivalent) and 27 non-teaching staff (18 full-time equivalent).^[39] It includes a special education program.^[37][40]

St Bernard State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 1-19 School Road (27.9704°S 153.1982°E / -27.9704; 153.1982 (St Bernard State School)).^[37][41] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 238 students with 22 teachers (16 full-time equivalent) and 13 non-teaching staff (8 full-time equivalent).^[39] It includes a special education program.^[37]

Tamborine Mountain College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at 80 Beacon Road (27.9272°S 153.1763°E / -27.9272; 153.1763 (Tamborine Mountain College)).^[37][42] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 462 students with 36 teachers (33 full-time equivalent) and 16 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent).^[43]

Tamborine Mount State High School, 2024

Tamborine Mountain State High School is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at Holt Road (27.9328°S 153.1900°E / -27.9328; 153.1900 (Tamborine Mountain State High School)).^[37][44] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 936 students with 81 teachers (68 full-time equivalent) and 39 non-teaching staff (31 full-time equivalent).^[39] It includes a special education program.^[37]

Amenities

The Scenic Rim Regional Council operates a public library on the corner of Main Street and Yuulong Road.^[45]

Attractions

The Knoll Lookout, 2012

Rotary Lookout is on the western boundary of the locality, opposite 154-172 Main Western Road (27.94°S 153.1797°E / -27.94; 153.1797 (Rotary Lookout)).^[46][47]

Cedar Creek Falls, 2011

Gallery Walk

Tamborine Mountain attracts many tourists to "Gallery Walk" along Long Road, a street devoted to art galleries, cafes and souvenir shops.^[5] Other tourism-heavy areas include Main Street, two one-way roads with cafes, library, fuel, hardware stores, newsagent, the Zamia Theatre, various other shops, and the Tamborine Showground Markets, held every second Sunday of the month. A shopping centre including a SupaIGA supermarket was opened in 2011, and expansion plans were lodged in 2023.^[48]

The Glow-Worm Caves are a man-made attraction which opened to visitors in March 2006.^[49] They are located in one of the many wineries on the mountain. There are several fine dining locations.^[50]

Tamborine Mountain is well known for walking tracks winding through rainforest regions and occasionally past cliffs or waterfalls. The most well-known ones are the Curtis Falls rainforest track and the Knoll. The Palm Grove walk is a 30-minute downhill trek to a massive fallen fig tree (blown down by storms in 2013) through a vast skyline filled with 30-metre (98 ft) tall palms. The track passes mountain streams, a waterfall and wildlife. The Botanic Gardens are found in Eagle Heights.^[51]

Climate

The climate is a subtropical highland climate (Cfb, according to the Köppen climate classification), with the annual rainfall of about 1,550 mm^[5] falling mainly between December and March. Temperatures vary between maxima of 17 °C in winter and 25 °C in summer, and are usually 5 °C to 7 °C degrees cooler than the surrounding lowlands. Winters are usually dry and sunny, with cool maximum temperatures; however, the temperature rarely drops below freezing due to the thick forest cover.^{[citation needed]} With its fertile red volcanic soil and high rainfall, the plateau produces rich crops of avocados, kiwifruit, passionfruit, rhubarb, apples and mangoes.^{[citation needed]} The Mountain receives an average of 102.9 clear days, annually.^[52]

Climate data for Mt Tamborine
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	35.7 (96.3)	35.3 (95.5)	34.9 (94.8)	31.4 (88.5)	27.4 (81.3)	26.6 (79.9)	25.4 (77.7)	24.9 (76.8)	29.6 (85.3)	35.8 (96.4)	37.8 (100.0)	37.8 (100.0)	37.8 (100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	25.7 (78.3)	25.3 (77.5)	24.4 (75.9)	22.6 (72.7)	19.8 (67.6)	17.7 (63.9)	17.1 (62.8)	18.3 (64.9)	20.3 (68.5)	22.6 (72.7)	24.6 (76.3)	25.9 (78.6)	22.0 (71.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	17.1 (62.8)	17.3 (63.1)	16.4 (61.5)	14.0 (57.2)	11.2 (52.2)	9.1 (48.4)	8.0 (46.4)	8.6 (47.5)	10.4 (50.7)	12.8 (55.0)	14.8 (58.6)	16.3 (61.3)	13.0 (55.4)
Record low °C (°F)	11.7 (53.1)	10.3 (50.5)	6.9 (44.4)	7.6 (45.7)	3.8 (38.8)	−0.6 (30.9)	1.4 (34.5)	−1.1 (30.0)	−0.3 (31.5)	4.7 (40.5)	8.3 (46.9)	9.6 (49.3)	−1.1 (30.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	224.6 (8.84)	223.6 (8.80)	190.1 (7.48)	131.2 (5.17)	122.5 (4.82)	98.8 (3.89)	82.2 (3.24)	55.8 (2.20)	57.1 (2.25)	91.1 (3.59)	120.9 (4.76)	165.2 (6.50)	1,563.1 (61.54)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2mm)	14.8	15.0	15.9	12.2	10.9	9.0	8.5	7.5	8.3	10.0	12.0	13.1	137.2
Source: Bureau of Meteorology[52]

See also

• List of mountains of Australia

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Tamborine Mountain (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Region & Suburbs: About the Tamborine Mountain Region". Visit Tamborine Mountain. n.d. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
3. "Tamborine Mountain – plateau in the Scenic Rim Region (entry 33236)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
4. "Tamborine Mountain – locality in Scenic Rim Region (entry 48962)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
5. "Tamborine Mountain". Scenic Rim Regional Council. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
6. "IBA: Tamborine Mountain". Birdata. Birds Australia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
7. BirdLife International. (2011). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Tamborine Mountain. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org Archived 10 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine on 30 October 2011.
8. "Tamborine National Park: Nature, culture and history". Department of Environment and Resource Management. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
9. "Letters to the Editor". The Courier-mail. No. 971. Queensland, Australia. 9 October 1936. p. 22. Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
10. Bleakley, J.W. (1914). Annual Report of the Chief Protector of the Aboriginals for the year 1913 (PDF). Brisbane: Cumming. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
11. Perry, Harry (1923). Pioneering, the life of the Hon. R. M. Collins. Brisbane: Watson Ferguson.
12. "Logan and Albert". The Queenslander. Vol. X, no. 5. Queensland, Australia. 18 September 1875. p. 6. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
13. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, page 1
14. Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland) (2000). Heritage Trails of the Great South East. State of Queensland. p. 14. ISBN 0-7345-1008-X.
15. "St. Bernard Estate Tambourine Mountain" (1893) [Map]. Collections. State Library of Queensland.
16. "Classified Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XLIX, no. 10, 934. Queensland, Australia. 30 January 1893. p. 8. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
17. "Tambourine Mountain". The Week. Vol. XXXV, no. 891. Queensland, Australia. 20 January 1893. p. 24. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
18. "Arbor Day". The Week. Vol. XXXV, no. 907. Queensland, Australia. 12 May 1893. p. 18. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
19. "History". Tamborine Mountain State School. 3 April 2020. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
20. "History". Tamborine Mountain State School. 3 April 2020. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
21. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
22. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, pp 2, 5, 9
23. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, page 7
24. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, pp 8
25. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, pp 26
26. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, pp 53, 55, 84–85
27. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, pp 76
28. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, pp 84
29. 1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church, pp 78–79
30. "11 pensioners die, 42 hurt in bus crash". The Canberra Times. 26 September 1990. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
31. Study of injury mechanisms of the Mt Tamborine coach crash, September 25, 1990: TRID record. Transportation Research Board. January 1991. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
32. "Charges should not be laid over crash: coroner". The Canberra Times. 24 July 1991. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
33. "Tamborine Mountain State High School". Hey Schools. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
34. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Tamborine Mountain (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
35. "Tamborine Mountain Road/Geissmann Drive (entry 602365)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
36. "Local Heritage Register" (PDF). Scenic Rim Regional Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
37. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
38. "Tamborine Mountain State School". Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
39. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
40. "Tamborine Mountain SS - Special Education Program". Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
41. "St Bernard State School". Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
42. "Tamborine Mountain College". Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
43. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
44. "Tamborine Mountain State High School". Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
45. "Locations and Membership". Scenic Rim Regional Council. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
46. "Rotary Lookout – lookout in Scenic Rim Regional (entry 49653)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
47. "Rotary Lookout – lookout in the Scenic Rim Region (entry 49653)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
48. "Plans Afoot for TM Village Square Extension". Scenic News. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
49. Glow Worm Caves – Cedar Creek Estate Winery & Vineyard, Mount Tamborine Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 20 July 2011.
50. "Taste the Restaurants, Cafes, Wineries & Distilleries - Visit Tamborine Mountain". visittamborinemountain.com.au. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
51. Daniela (23 December 2018). "Botanic Gardens". Experience Tamborine Mountain. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
52. "MT TAMBORINE FERN ST". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology. December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.

Sources

• "1931–2011 Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church" (PDF). Tamborine Mountain Presbyterian Church. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.

External links

• "Tamborine Mountain". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
• Discover Tamborine Mountain
• Tamborine Mountain Natural History Association
• History of the Anglican Church in Tamborine
• Views of Tamborine Mountain area, State Library of Queensland