Thunderbird Park in Mount Tamborine is the ideal family friendly spot for those seeking a camping weekend in the hinterland. Whether you want to enjoy the quiet and scenic surroundings or get stuck into a few of the activities, a few days camping at Thunderbird Park is the perfect family camping location.
If you’re considering a family camping trip at Thunderbird Park, reading this guide is a great place to start. This guide provides all the information you need to decide if Thunderbird Park is the ideal spot for your next family camping trip.
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Location of Thunderbird Park
Thunderbird Park is in Mount Tamborine, a renowned destination in the Gold Coast Hinterland and part of the Scenic Rim region. This gorgeous property is approximately an hour’s drive from Brisbane, Ipswich or the Gold Coast.
The popular Mount Tamborine Gallery Walk is a 10 minute drive away, or an hour’s walk if you’re keen – but it is a steep walk up there. Not too far from Gallery Walk, you’ll find a range of shops, rainforest walks and an IGA supermarket for any forgotten supplies.
Being so close to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ipswich makes Thunderbird Park the perfect weekend away or even for those families after a short one night stay.
Camping at Thunderbird Park
Thunderbird Park offers a range of powered and non powered sites across their property. There are sites suitable for tents as well as caravans and camping trailers.
When booking your campsite, you can nominate which site you’d like. To do this, check out the park map here and add your preferred site to your booking. While your selected site isn’t guaranteed, they will do their best for you.
The good news about Thunderbird Park is that no matter where you camp, you’re not far from the toilets, camp kitchen or the various activities at the park.
For those who love their campfires, you’ll be pleased to know that all sites have a rock bordered fire pit. Firewood is available for purchase on site, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
During off peak times, non powered campsites start at $52 for two people and powered sites start at $70 for two people. It’s an extra $10 per night during peak season. Plus, additional guests are $10 per person per night, although kids 5 and under are free.
Other accommodation options at Thunderbird Park
If you prefer to splurge a little on this trip or have others wanting to join you who aren’t campers, then you’ll be pleased to know that a range of other accommodation options are available at Thunderbird Park.
Accommodation options range from basic motel rooms, self contained lodges and some serious luxurious glamping tents.
You can find a more detailed guide on the different accommodation options at Thunderbird Park here.
Activities at Thunderbird Park
One of the best things about camping at Thunderbird Park, particularly if you’re camping with kids, is the endless number of activities that have on offer!
Click here for a detailed list of all the activities – but in the meantime, here are some of the things you can do while camping at Thunderbird Park:
TreeTop Challenge
The TreeTop Challenge at Thunderbird Park includes the Treetop Adventure Park, the TreeTop Canyon Flyer and TreeTop Juniors, all thrilling adventures that take you through the rainforest of Mount Tamborine. There is a range of challenging courses suitable for all ages and all skill levels.
Thunderegg Crystal Mine
Thunderbird Park is on land that came about some 22 million years ago after the Mount Warning volcanic eruption. In this prehistoric volcanic lava, the kids can go fossicking for thundereggs and have them cut open to see the pretty mineral deposits.
Dig IT
This is Australia’s very first mini excavator park where you can operate real excavator machinery across four zones. These are 1.14 true scale, fully hydraulic machines weighing approximately 30+ kilos.
Laser Skirmish
You may have played laser skirmish before, but you have played in the Gold Coast Hinterland, where you get a scenic yet authentic jungle warfare experience. Here, you can stalk through the jungle (well, rainforest really), using the trees and bushes to take cover from enemy fire while hunting and eliminating enemy players.
Adventure Mini Golf
The Adventure Mini Golf at Thunderbird Park is a 9 hole course and it’s pretty fun with water hazards, rock traps, bridges, bunkers and other obstacles you’ll need to overcome before claiming victory.
Rock Pools
Thanks to a proportion of Cedar Creek flowing through Thunderbird Park, there are several natural rock pools where you can take the kids for a bit of a splash. Keep in mind though, that being natural rock pools, the water level will depend on recent rainfall.
Cedar Creek Falls
If you follow Cedar Creek a little further, you’ll be rewarded with seeing the beautiful Cedar Creek Falls and perhaps swimming in one of the many rock pools there.
While not actually on the property of Thunderbird Park, the falls are just a short walk away.
Amenities at Thunderbird Park
There is no need to be self contained while camping at Thunderbird Park, as they have excellent on-site amenities, which are briefly covered below.
Camp Kitchen
There are two separate camp kitchens at Thunderbird Park – but unfortunately, I didn’t realise this until after I left – so I only checked out one during my stay.
The camp kitchen I checked out while at Thunderbird Park was excellent. It was fully decked out with everything you could possibly need while camping. It included a table with chairs, 2 sinks, 2 electric BBQ grills, electric fry pans, a microwave, kettle, toaster and bins.
You could easily leave your cooking equipment home while camping at Thunderbird Park.
Just make sure to bring your own cleaning supplies, as they are not provided in the camp kitchen. However, if you forget these, you can buy a cleaning pack for $3 from reception or the Terrace Kiosk.
Camp Laundry
While I didn’t see the camp laundry at Thunderbird Park, I understand there is one available with a token-operated clothes dryer and washing machine.
These tokens can be purchased from reception for $3.50 between 8 am and 5 pm daily.
Toilets and Showers
Within the campgrounds, there are two toilet and shower blocks – both connected to the camp kitchens. Each of these has two toilets, two showers and 3 hand basins.
There was a sign in the toilet block apologising for the bathrooms showing their age and saying they would soon be demolished and rebuilt. However, I thought they looked pretty good – I’ve camped at many campgrounds and in my view, these were some of the best I’ve seen.
Terrace Kiosk
If you prefer to skip the cooking while camping, you can head to the Terrace Kiosk for a casual meal. This outdoor kiosk serves breakfast, lunch, and other snacks, drinks, and coffee daily.
On the menu, you’ll find an assortment of bagels ($11 to $15), burgers ($13 to $15), salads ($16 to $18), hot chips ($6 to $10) and pizzas ($17 to $19.50) as well as a basic kids menu ($9 to $14).
The Terrace Kiosk is open daily from 7.30 am to 5 pm. There are extended hours during Queensland school holidays.
Keep in mind the last orders are at 4.30 pm and they are very strict about this – we arrived at 4.33 pm to be told we couldn’t order any hot chips.
Rainforest Restaurant and Lounge Bar
If you want to eat dinner while camping at Thunderbird Park, there is the Rainforest Restaurant, which is also open for breakfast and lunch.
The dishes at the Rainforest Restaurant are designed to be shared – so you can order a range of small plates (for example, lemon pepper squid $18, crab $19 or bao buns $18), large plates (for example, pan seared snapper $41, sirloin $44 or chorizo and prawn pasta $38), as well as and sides (for example beetroot salad $16, fries $13 or flatbread $11).
There is also a relatively small kids’ menu serving things such as spaghetti bolognaise, fish and chips or chicken nuggets ($13 each).
The restaurant offers a daily buffet breakfast for $32 per adult and $16 per child.
The Rainforest Restaurant is open daily for breakfast from 7.30 am to 10 am, lunch on the weekends from 11.30 am to 3 pm and for dinner from Thursday to Saturday from 5 pm to 8 pm. There are extended hours during Queensland school holidays.
It’s dog friendly!
Not only is Thunderbird Park kid friendly, but it is also pet friendly too! Dogs are welcome at any camping site, but they must always be kept on a lead and cannot be left unattended.
If you’re bringing your dog to Thunderbird Park, they just cost $15 extra to your booking (per dog).
Thunderbird Park – our verdict
A few days camping at Thunderbird Park is ideal whether you’re looking for somewhere to base yourself while exploring Mount Tamborine or doing the park’s various activities. In fact, even if you’re looking for a scenic spot to relax – Thunderbird Park ticks that box too.
It’s a great place for those not wanting to be fully self-reliant as it has excellent amenities and is a short drive away from shops if you need to replenish any supplies.
So, if you want to arrange a super fun weekend away with the kids – don’t hesitate to book a stay down at Thunderbird Park – you absolutely won’t regret it!
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Please note that we were guests at Thunderbird Park, but this in no way has shaped the above article in any way, shape or form.
Hopefully, you found this guide on camping at Thunderbird Park helpful. Other reviews you may enjoy include Mama Country Escape, O’Reilly’s or Mt Barney.
