Mount Tamborine is located in the picturesque Gold Coast Hinterland. Mount Tamborine is a plateau of a dormant volcano which was active over 20 million years ago. Tamborine Mountain National park is comprised of nine national parks and contains subtropical, eucalypt and cycad rainforests. There are three small settlements in this region: Mount Tamborine, Eagle Heights and North Tamborine. The permanent population of this region is approximately 5100 residents according to the Scenic Rim Regional Council. Tourism is the main industry of the Mount Tamborine region; however there are also commercial farming of crops such as avocados, kiwifruit and rhubarb. The Tamborine Mountain is a popular spot for city dwellers to escape to the relaxing surrounds of the mountains, stay at a bed and breakfast and enjoy pleasures such as food, wine, local arts and crafts or bushwalking. Many people also reside in this region for a quieter lifestyle in close proximity to two major cities and the coast. Education is provided by pre-schools, primary schools and two high schools. There is a library, community hall, swimming pool, theatres and numerous sporting clubs and community groups.
The Gold Coast has a rapidly growing population that is made up of a higher proportion of older people and is very culturally diverse. Throughout the region there are pockets of Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, German and socioeconomically disadvantaged people. Like much of Australia, the major causes of morbidity and mortality are coronary heart disease, stroke, COPD, depression and lung cancer. The major health determinants are alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, poor nutrition and physical inactivity and these are manifest through poor diabetes management, high blood pressure and poor cholesterol management. Health prevention efforts are focussed around improving housing, employment and reducing substance abuse. Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice has been servicing the local area since 1978. It has expanded and there are now two practices; North Tamborine and Eagle Heights plus they offer some home visits. They have both male and female doctors, a nurse practitioner and allied health workers. Most of the staff live locally and are part of the community they serve. The Gold Coast Health services are close by and include the Gold Coast University Hospital, Robina Hospital and community services. The Gold Coast University Hospital was opened in late 2013 at Parkwood and replaced the previous state government hospital at Southport. It has a 750 bed capacity in order to meet future needs. Mount Tamborine is less than an hour drive from Gold Coast. Transport around the Gold Coast is easily accessible. There is an extensive bus network run by the Queensland Government division known as Translink.
There are also train options with six stations throughout Gold Coast: Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes. There are bus connections and commuter car parks at these stations. Information is also available on the Translink Site. The light rail system is under development and there are sixteen stations between Gold Coast University Hospital at Parkwood and Broadbeach South. There is a major domestic and international airport at Coolangatta on the south of the Gold Coast. There are two major taxi companies Yellowcab and Black and White that service the region. There are also many bike lanes on the roads and also bike paths along the beachfront and throughout the suburbs of the Gold Coast. Mount Tamborine is also serviced by several shuttle bus companies.