Pineapple Tours Hop on Hop off Day Pass + Glow Worm Tour - Brisbane Pickup

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See glow worms in the middle of the day: a biologist-led tour of the Glow Worm Caves on Tamborine Mountain, with return transport from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, lookout stops on the way up and an afternoon on the mountain's hop-on hop-off bus.

Days

Full day

Age

Most ages, children with an adult

Group size

Shared bus tour

Start / finish

Brisbane or Gold Coast / Tamborine Mountain / Brisbane or Gold Coast
Your pick-up area, around 5pm

Return

Your pick-up area, around 5pm

Transport

Return transport from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, hop-on hop-off bus on the mountain

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Pineapple Tours Hop on Hop off Day Pass + Glow Worm Tour - Brisbane Pickup

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Included experiences

Glow Worm Caves — biologist-led tour among thousands of glow worms
Frog and insect display — native species along the boardwalk
Tamborine Mountain National Park — scenic drive and lookout stops
Gallery Walk — about three hours for lunch and shopping

Pineapple Tours Hop on Hop off Day Pass + Glow Worm Tour - Brisbane Pickup

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: LOOKOUTS ON THE WAY UP

Pick-up is from set hotels in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast, depending on the option you book, and the drive takes you into the Scenic Rim, the arc of old volcanic ranges along the New South Wales border. Your local driver tells the mountain's story on the way. Tamborine Mountain is a plateau about 550 metres up, what is left of a volcano that erupted 23 million years ago. The road winds through Tamborine National Park, whose Witches Falls section became Queensland's first national park in 1908, with stops at lookouts over the Scenic Rim and time for morning tea. None of it needs more than a short stroll.

MIDDAY: THE GLOW WORM CAVES

The Glow Worm Caves sit at Cedar Creek Estate and opened in 2005 as a home for the mountain's own glow worms. Entry is by guided tour only, about 30 minutes, led by a trained biologist. You walk a boardwalk through replanted rainforest, past a display of native frogs and insects, into a cave built to hold the cool, damp, dark conditions glow worms need all year. Inside, thousands of tiny lights cover the ceiling. Each one is the larva of a fungus gnat, glowing to lure insects into the sticky silk threads it hangs below itself. Glow worms live only in Australia and New Zealand, and this is the only place in Queensland to see them by day. No late night needed.

AFTERNOON: GALLERY WALK AND THE HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS

Then you have about three hours around Gallery Walk, on Long Road at Eagle Heights, the mountain's main strip of galleries, cafés, cheese and fudge shops, so lunch is wherever you like. Your hop-on hop-off pass covers the rest of the mountain's loop if you'd rather move on. A boutique winery visit is on offer too, for a small fee paid at the cellar door.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO THE COAST

The coach heads back down the mountain in the afternoon, and you're back in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast around 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-ups start at about 8:30am from set Brisbane city and South Bank hotels, such as the Brisbane Marriott and Royal on the Park, or from set Gold Coast hotels, including the Sheraton Grand Mirage, voco Gold Coast and The Star Gold Coast. If you stay on the main route, ask when you book; door-to-door pick-up costs extra. Your point and time are confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Back in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast around 5pm. An earlier drop at Helensvale train station after lunch can be arranged when timing allows.
Fitness: Easy. The cave is reached by a boardwalk, and the rest of the day needs no real walking.
Suits: Families, couples and anyone who would rather not go out at night to see glow worms. Children must stay with an adult; under-4s travel free if they don't take a seat.
Please note: Your cave tour is booked for a set time. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available if you ask when you book. The tour runs in most weather.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
A light jacket; the mountain is often cooler than Brisbane
Water bottle, hat and sunscreen
Money or a card for lunch and shopping

What is included

Return transport from Brisbane or Gold Coast hotels
Guided Glow Worm Cave tour
Native frog and insect display
Drive through Tamborine Mountain National Park with lookout stops
Unlimited hop-on hop-off rides on the mountain

Not included

Lunch, food and drinks
Optional winery visit ($10, paid at the venue)
Rainforest Skywalk and other entry fees
Door-to-door pick-up away from the set hotels (extra charge)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

“day trip to Tamborine Mountain and the Glow Worm Caves”

A well-run, comfortable day on Tamborine Mountain without the stress of driving. The hop-on hop-off format let us go at our own pace through the lovely Scenic Rim, and the Glow Worm Caves were a real highlight. Our driver-guide was friendly and helpful, and pick-up and drop-off were easy.

Jennifer R Verified· Travelled 1st May 2026

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(5/5)

“Fantastic Day”

We paired the glow worm cave tour with the hop-on hop-off bus and loved it. Seeing the glow worms up close was magical, and the bus made it easy to explore at our own pace. Mint, our driver, was welcoming and professional all day.

Paul A Verified· Travelled 1st April 2026

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