Tamborine Mountain was created by a massive volcanic eruption that occurred about 20 million years ago. The mountain's rich red soil and unique rock formations are typical of a mountain formed from vulcanism. Over the millennia the mountain evolved into a lush subtropical rain forest rich in lime trees, avocados and kiwifruit.
Tamborine Mountain's diverse plant and animal life, coupled with its temperate weather, made it an important source of food and shelter for Aboriginal tribes for tens of thousands of years. The longest-lasting inhabitants were the Wangerriburra tribe, who settled at the base of the mountain and named it "Tamborine" after the abundance of wild yams, a staple of the tribe's diet.
The first mention of the mountain by a European was believed to be in 1843, when the area was surveyed by British settlers. In 1875 the mountain was opened for selection, and nine families ultimately received parcels of land. The first two European families to settle on Tamborine were the O'Callaghans and the family of Edmond Ford Curtis, for whom nearby Curtis Falls is named.
Tamborine Mountain attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, thanks to its abundance of parks and wineries and its proximity to the Gold Coast and Brisbane. The mountain is divided into three small villages that feature shopping, dining, hotels and villas.
