Valuable cabinet timbers such as the Australian Red Cedar lured the first settlers to Tamborine Mountain over 100 years ago. Since then much of this dense forest has been cleared to make way for farming although many remnant stands of the original forest still exist. These contain examples of the various types of rainforest that once covered the area. The most amazing of these are the belts of Piccabean Palm forest that cling around creeks and waterfalls. This small plateau is rich in animal and bird life.
Bird feeding is a local hobby enjoyed by many residents.
The most friendly and colourful birds are the parrots, especially the aptly named Rainbow Lorikeets. The music of the Mountain is provided by a less gaudy band of feathered creatures. Magpies, Butcher Birds and the shy Whip Bird harmonize from daybreak until sundown. If you can find the time to walk through some of our National Parks you will hear many other bird songs and see an amazing range of Australia s bird life. The hen Turkey is the perfect female liberationist.