Things to do in Kooralbyn, Queensland: What are the best attractions?

The best things to do in Kooralbyn, Queensland, include playing golf at Kooralbyn Valley, tackling the Kooralbyn Mountain Bike Park and bushwalking to the Kooralbyn Lookout.

Kooralbyn is a strange little town in the Scenic Rim region of Queensland, inland from the Gold Coast. It is dominated by an international school and integrated golf resort. The nearest proper town being Beaudesert to the north-east.

The Kooralbyn International School is prestigious, but it is unlikely to be of much interest to visitors. The resort, however, might be of more interest.

For the best rates, book your stay at Kooralbyn Valley in advance.

Kooralbyn attractions: Kooralbyn Valley resort

The Kooralbyn Resort doesn’t have the most prestigious of histories. It was ambitious when work started in 1979, mixing a golf course, villas and all manner of leisure facilities. However, it never took off quite as well as the developers hoped, and it spent a long time in liquidation.

Since 2016, the Kooralbyn Resort has had a new lease of life. After several changes of ownership, it is now known as the Kooralbyn Valley. Bookings can be made online.

Most visitors to Kooralbyn will be staying at the Kooralbyn Valley, which will act as a satellite village for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay

The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.

Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.

Things to do in Kooralbyn, Queensland: Golf and other activities

Guests can play the championship golf course, but there’s also complimentary lawn bowls, mini golf and tennis. Other things to do in Kooralbyn include getting a taste of Australian farm life at the Aussie Muster Show and horse-riding.

Giant chess, volleyball, archery, laser clay pigeon shooting and kayaking are also on the extensive activities list.

Things to do in Kooralbyn, Queensland: Mountain biking and walking

You don’t necessarily need to be staying at the resort to enjoy some of the surroundings, though. Mountain bikers can take to the trails at the Kooralbyn Mountain Bike Park, which has more than 20 trails. Bushwalkers can walk up to the Kooralbyn Lookout, which shows off rather pretty views of the surrounding region. There’s a good chance of seeing kangaroos and koalas on the way.

You can, of course, use Kooralbyn as a base for exploring the rest of the Scenic Rim – often called the Gold Coast hinterland. Highlights include the Witches Falls Winery in Tamborine Mountain, Cedar Creek Falls and Curtis Falls.

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