Tamborine Mountain

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Tamborine Mountain
Elevation	525 metres (1,722 ft)
Location	Queensland, Australia
Type	Shield volcano

Tamborine Mountain is a 2,800 hectare plateau (8 km long by 4 km wide) in the Beaudesert, Gold Coast Hinterland, south-east Queensland, Australia. The name is of Aboriginal origin and has nothing to do with the musical instrument.

Human settlement on the plateau is centred on three village communities: North Tamborine, Eagle Heights and Mount Tamborine, with a total population of about 6,500. 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 dependant on rainwater, bores and septic systems. Many residents commute to work on the coast or in Brisbane.

1 Geological origin
2 History
3 Climate
4 Schools
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Geological origin

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.

[edit] History

Tamborine Mountain was inhabited by Aborigines for tens of thousands of years and was the territory of the Wangerriburras. Until it was opened for selection in 1875 it was covered with subtropical rainforest. 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. The Tamborine National Park is made up of 12 separate sections of land, mainly remnant rainforest, on the plateau and surrounding foothills.

[edit] Climate

The climate is subtropical, with the annual rainfall of about 1600 mm falling mainly between December and March. Temperatures vary between maxima of 18°C in winter and 25°C in summer, averaging some four or five degrees cooler than the surrounding lowlands. With its fertile red volcanic soil and high rainfall, the plateau produces rich crops of avocados, kiwifruit, passionfruit and rhubarb. With its cool climate and spectacular scenery, as well as its proximity to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise, it is a major tourist destination.

[edit] Schools

Tamborine Mountain College (secondary - yr 8 - 12)
Tamborine Mountain State High School (secondary - yr 8 - 12)
Tamborine Mountain State School (primary - yr 1 - 7)
St Bernards State School (primary - yr 1 - 7)

[edit] References

This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008)
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