Day Trips

Gold Coast: Mt Tamborine Rainforest Night Walk with Glow Worms & Waterfall

Duration

3 hrs 30 mins

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers available

Explore Tamborine Mountain's rainforest on a fully guided night walk, one of the Gold Coast's only true nocturnal nature tours, far from staged caves.

Visit Curtis Falls under moonlight, hear its cultural stories, and take in the natural glow worm display along misty, fern-lined forest walls.

Spot native nocturnal wildlife like lyrebirds, possums, and microbats in their element, guided by torchlight and rich storytelling.

Wind down with dessert and a hot drink at a Mt Tamborine café. This cozy stop sets the tone for a relaxed return.

Travel in a small group with hotel transfers, expert guides, National Park fees, and no hidden costs; just a seamless, immersive night out.

3.5-hour guided night tour of Mt. Tamborine rainforest

Expert English-speaking guide

Guided walk to waterfall with glow worm viewing

Small group experience (max 16 to 24 guests)

Dessert stop for refreshments at a local Mt. Tamborine café

All National Park entry fees included

Round-trip hotel transfers from Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Southport & Helensvale Station

Low-wattage flashlight provided for night visibility

Live commentary during drive and walk

Other food and beverages (available to purchase)

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Experience the Gold Coast’s nocturnal rainforest on a 3.5-hour guided tour, featuring glow worm viewing and a torchlit walk to Curtis Falls.

Getting started

Your evening begins with pick-up from select Gold Coast locations. After meeting your guide and receiving a short briefing, settle in for a scenic drive to Tamborine Mountain National Park—Queensland’s first national park, established in 1908.

What to expect

Home to over 85% of the region’s animal species and 65% of its plant life, Tamborine Mountain offers a rich glimpse into Australia’s subtropical rainforest. As night falls, follow your guide through torchlit forest trails, uncovering the sights and sounds that emerge after dark. Along the way, discover Curtis Falls, learn about its Aboriginal significance, and witness one of Australia’s few naturally visible glow worm colonies.

Features

Scenic drive & guide briefing

Travel in a small-group vehicle from the Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain, with en route commentary from your local guide.

Get a preview of the evening’s walk and learn about the park’s significance as Queensland’s oldest protected rainforest.

Torchlit rainforest walk (1.2 km Grade 3 trail)

Follow a guided trail through lush subtropical forest alive with sounds of the night—crickets, frogs, and rustling leaves underfoot.

See towering strangler figs, piccabeen palms, and ancient ferns that thrive in the park’s cool, elevated climate.

Your guide will help you spot nocturnal wildlife such as short-eared brushtail possums, brush-turkeys, and microbats darting through the canopy.

Curtis Falls (Joalah Section)

Arrive at Curtis Falls, a basalt-column waterfall that cascades into a quiet rock pool.

Hear about the area’s Aboriginal significance and look for signs of Albert’s lyrebird, a local species known for its elaborate mimicry.

The viewing platform provides a peaceful, moonlit vantage point, often with the sound of water as the only background.

Glow worm colony viewing

Walk beside a rock wall where native glow worms (Arachnocampa flava) emit a magical bioluminescent glow.

These tiny larvae spin silk threads and use their light to attract prey, creating an ethereal scene—only visible in wild, moist environments like this one.

Your guide will explain their life cycle, behaviour, and how local conservation protects this delicate species.

Local dessert stop

After the walk, relax with a sweet treat and hot drink at a nearby Mt Tamborine café—an ideal way to warm up and unwind after your forest adventure.

Convenient Return

You’ll be dropped back to your original pick-up point in the Gold Coast, with plenty of new stories and photos to share.

What to bring

Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as the trail has uneven and sometimes steep sections.

Bring a light jacket or sweater — it can be cooler on the mountain at night.

Carry a rain jacket or umbrella if rain is forecast. The tour runs in most weather conditions.

A reusable water bottle is recommended.

Apply insect repellent before the tour. Avoid using sprays near the glow worms or cave areas.

Pack a small backpack or bag for personal items.

Bring a camera for outside the glow worm area. Photography is not allowed near the glow worms.

If you take medications, be sure to bring them with you.

Please bring only what you can comfortably carry. There is no luggage storage.

What’s not allowed

No photography, videos, or artificial light during the glow worm viewing.

Flashlights, torches, and glowing shoes or clothing are not allowed.

Food and drinks (except water) are not permitted during the glow worm walk.

Prams, strollers, and large bags cannot be brought on the bus or walk trail.

Avoid loud noises — glow worms are sensitive to sound and movement.

Do not touch or disturb the glow worms or any wildlife.

Smoking and alcohol are not allowed on the trail or during the glow worm segment.

Accessibility

The guided walk is about 1.2 km and includes steps, uneven paths, and gentle slopes.

This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs, walkers, or prams.

Infants must be carried during the walk; prams cannot be taken on the bus or trail.

Some handrails are available on steeper sections.

Guests with mobility concerns should contact the operator before booking.

Service dogs are welcome.

Additional information

The tour starts around 6:15pm and runs for approximately 3.5 hours.

Dessert at a local Mt. Tamborine café is included, along with all national park entry fees.

Commentary is provided throughout the drive and guided walk.

This is a small group tour for a more personal experience.

All guests must stay with the guide at all times for safety and conservation reasons.

There are no self-guided visits — all access is through a guided tour.

There are no toilets on the trail, but stops are available before and after the walk.

The rainforest is home to many plants and animals — avoid touching anything and take only memories.

Round-trip hotel transfers are included from Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Southport, and Helensvale Train Station.

The tour requires a minimum number of guests to operate. If this is not met, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Tours may be changed or canceled due to weather or operational issues. In such cases, refunds are not provided.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older.

A maximum of two car seats are available per tour. Please request at the time of booking.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display your mobile voucher along with a valid photo ID at the time of pick-up.

If you have purchased reduced-price tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification.

Hotel Transfers

This ticket includes hotel pickups and drop-offs.

While booking, please provide the name of your hotel.

This is applicable to all central Gold Coast Hotels (Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Broadbeach & Southport).

Once you have confirmed your pickup location and time with us directly, on the night of your tour please wait for the bus in the main lobby/reception area 5 minutes before pickup.

Our bus will be white and marked with Southern Cross Tours in red and blue writing.

Validity

This ticket is valid for the date and time selected during checkout.