At nearly 600 metres elevation Tamborine Mountain is a unique, popular destination for visitors from Surfers’ Paradise and the Gold Coast. It attracts thousands of Australian and overseas tourists who come up for the spectacular vistas; East to the Pacific Ocean and the “Glitter Strip” and West across the stunning, pastoral Scenic Rim to the mountains of the Great Dividing Range.

Tamborine Mountain is home to a whole enclave of creative people. So many artists and craftspeople have made it their home, and they produce really high-quality creations. There are nationally and internationally famous artists here, and I feel like a little amateur newbie who has dared to put brush to canvas!

The local Scenic Rim Regional Council is very supportive of the Arts and they actively promote, support and nurture both established and new arts initiatives.
Gallery Walk in Eagle Heights is full of specialist shops, galleries and restaurants which are buzzing with visitors at weekends and during the week.

There’s a local café and restaurant up here on Tamborine Mountain which provides excellent food, coffee and great service. It’s the Hillbilly Coffee on Main Street, run by Sean and Wendy, two of the nicest and most enterprising folk one could wish to meet. They recently expanded their restaurant and decided to devote part of the extension to displaying local artists’ work.

I couldn’t believe it when I received a phone call from them – “Hey, we like your work and wondered if you’d be willing to display it in Hillbilly Coffee?” I was shocked. With so many accomplished artists up here on the mountain, why were they interested in my stuff?

Well, I went into panic mode to prepare eight paintings from the dozens I’ve painted. By Monday evening, they were up and ready for opening time on Christmas Eve.

So here they are for all to see, and they should be there for about the next six weeks. What a brilliant Christmas present. Thank you so much, Sean and Wendy!