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Numinbah Valley across the NSW border and down into the Tweed valley, then north back into Queensland joining the Motorway back to Ruffles Lodge.
This drive is a circuit leaving Ruffles Lodge and passing through the rugged area of the Numinbah Valley and rainforest of Natural Bridge. As you pass into New South Wales you leave the scenic rim of the McPherson Ranges and drive into the beautiful valley below. The picturesque village of Chillingham has a true country feel and a charm you will find only in the Gold Coast Hinterland. You drive east through the Tweed valley before heading north back up onto the scenic rim and into Queensland.
This trip has a total driving time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. After leaving Ruffles Lodge and joining Reserve Rd you head south to the junction with Oxenford Tamborine Road where you turn left, cross the Coomera river and then turn right into Maudsland Road. Continue on for about 8 klms until you come to a T junction. Turn left onto the Beaudesert Nerang road (90), drive through Mount Nathan until you come to another T junction and turn right into Nerang Murwillubah Road (3) after 5 klms it becomes (97). A 20 minute drive brings you come to the Numinbah Valley. This beautiful rugged hinterland country has spectacular rocky outcrops with green fields stretching to the base of escarpments and wooded areas.
Pockets of rainforest become more frequent as you head towards Natural Bridge. If you feel like a break you can stop for a snack at the Two Pines Cafe (the drive time is 50minutes) which is open every day except Monday. Soon after leaving the café you come to Springbrook National Park and the Natural Bridge waterfalls are only a short and worthwhile walk. The New South Wales / Queensland border is separated by the scenic rim of the McPherson Ranges; it's worth a stop to enjoy the view, on a clear day you can see for ever. As you meander down the winding road to the valley below you come to the clean, quaint village of Chillingham.
The Chillingham store has a cafe and garden, a great spot to visit. As you continue on through Crystal Creek the country opens out onto the Tweed Valley with large areas of sugar Cane. Before you reach Murwillumbah you come to the Lisnagar Homestead (a heritage home), it is here that you turn left into Tomewin Rd and head north up into the mountains again. You cross the border back into Queensland at Tomewin and you are back into the beautiful rugged country. You follow the road through Currumbin to the Motorway then back to Ruffles Lodge. This circuit is one of the most popular.
Contact Details
Address: Ruffles Lodge 423 Ruffles Rd, Willow Vale Queensland 4209
Telephone: 61 7 55467 411
Facsimile: 61 7 55467 358
Website: www.ruffleslodge.com.au |
