There is something quietly transformative about stepping into an artist’s studio – the scent of paint or clay, the half-finished work on a table, the conversation that reveals how an idea becomes form.
This May long weekend, that experience unfolds across the entire mountain as the Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail 2026 returns from May 2 – 4.
More than 70 artists across 35 studios, galleries and creative spaces will open their doors, creating a distributed exhibition that stretches across Tamborine Mountain.
The focus is as much on process as outcome – on the stories, materials, and environments that shape the work.
This year’s trail has grown into a collaborative, mountain-wide program developed with local arts groups and community organisations.
Open Studios
Throughout the weekend, visitors can continue through a network of creative hubs.
At the Creative Arts Centre, free “come and try” workshops invite hands-on participation in felting, pottery, crochet and more.
Children can join Little Makers: Stitch and Story, where storytelling and textile play merge into creative exploration.
At the Viking Framer Gallery, a curated group of exhibiting artists presents a snapshot of practice across the mountain.
The Vonda Youngman Centre becomes a lively creative hub, hosting multiple artists and collectives alongside the whimsical Mad Hatters Tea Party, led by Geeta Harmon.
For a quieter experience, the studio of Maki Horanai offers Japanese tea ceremonies, providing a reflective pause in the weekend’s activity.
Beyond the Studio
The program extends into performance and music.
Saturday features Elizabethan Chaos with Tamborine Mountain Little Theatre, followed by Poetry with Spirit presented by Callanthe Poets.
On Sunday evening, Art Trails After Dark at St Bernards Hotel brings live music, performance, and late-night creative energy, featuring a dynamic lineup including Jamie Lee Wilson, Shenzo Gregorio, Pete Neville, Ludek Němeček, Andrew Heading-Knight, Duane Williams, Russell Smith, Adam Matijasevic, Georgia O’Neil, Doug Thomas, Forbes McKaill, Susannah Lathlean, Margy Rose, Toby Angus, and Darren Gilshenan’s Drum n Shakespeare mashup.
To close the weekend, Monday’s Create and Connect with Nature – A Meditative, Mixed Media Workshop offers a slower, reflective creative experience.
Art, Place and Community
At its heart, the Arts Trail is about connection – between artists and audiences, creativity and place, and community and culture. Visitors can explore at their own pace using digital maps or guided tours with Park Tours.
You don’t need to understand art to enjoy it, just arrive curious and allow the mountain itself to become part of the experience.
Visit www.tamborinemountain.art for more information.
Event Details:
Where: Various studios, galleries, and exhibition spaces across Tamborine Mountain
When: Labour Day Long Weekend, Saturday May 2 – Monday May 4, 2026
9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
