THE marvellous aspect of the Gold Coast Hinterland is that a couple of days of meandering along the Food and Wine Trail doesn't take a lot of effort.

All you need is a tank full of fuel, a healthy appetite and a taste for really good food.

When its features are added, the local food and wine trail is quite remarkable - and a lot of fun.

The wine and food circuit is in an area basically bounded by Nerang, Canungra, Tamborine and Oxenford. You can join and leave the tour at any convenient point.

Following are suggested destinations:

• Thumm Estate Wines in Kriedeman Road, Upper Coomera, is a boutique winery with a fine range of premium Australian wines, international beers, local cheeses and delicatessen products available. The alfresco restaurant overlooks the lake and serves meals featuring local produce to complement their wines.
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  The Nut Shed on the Tamborine-Oxenford Road, Wongawallen, is where you'll enjoy a walk through the orchard, sample an array of nut products and sip on a macadamia coffee or light lunch overlooking the orchard, with spectacular views of the coast.
• 
  Gallery Walk at Eagle Heights, Tamborine Mountain is 500m of boutique shops, art and craft galleries, cafes and restaurants located along the main street.
  Don't forget to try the fudge shop.
• 
  The Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery in Hartley Road, Mount Tamborine is open every day of the week. Wine and dine overlooking Wild Duck Lake and the award-winning gardens.
• 
  Tamborine Estate in Hartley Road, North Tamborine, open seven days a week, is the Gold Coast's oldest vineyard. Try a glass of wine at the cellar door.
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  Heritage Wines, on the corner of The Shelf Road and Bartle Road, Mount Tamborine is housed in the old Burleigh Heads Infant Saviour Church. If you have room, taste the restaurant food and fine Queensland wines.
• 
  The Chocolate Kingdom in St Bernards Shopping Centre, Siganto Street, Mount Tamborine, manufactures exclusive hand-made chocolates and confectionery.
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  The Witches Falls Winery, in Main Western Road, North Tamborine, processes, ferments and finishes the grapes on site.
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  The Tamborine Mountain Distillery in Beacon Road, North Tamborine, is one of only a handful of privately owned distilleries in Australia and still uses a traditional copper pot and fruit plucked fresh from the mountain to produce an array of liqueurs, schnapps and spirits, as well as handmade liqueur chocolates.
• 
  The Witches Chase Cheese Company in Beacon Road, North Tamborine, is a producer of fine cheese including camembert, washes rind, feta and type of blue cheese unique to Queensland. Visitors can view the cheese-making process and enjoy a free tasting but are likely to leave laden with products.
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  Albert River Wines on the Mundoolun Connection Road, Tamborine, is the winner of the Best Tourism Winery at the 2004 Queensland Tourism Awards and is housed in the historic Auchenflower homestead, once home to three Premiers before becoming a Carmelite nunnery. Local produce, including farm fresh eggs, orchard fruit and herbs are the order of the day.
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  Canungra Valley Vineyards on Lamington National Park Road, Canungra, is set in a grand homestead. Dine overlooking the vines or share a gourmet picnic basket in the grounds while the kids try to spot a platypus in the creek. On Sundays enjoy the live jazz music.
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  Springbrook Mountain Vineyard in Springbrook Road, Springbrook, is a small winery that uses their home-grown grapes. Enjoy tastings and kick back in the coffee shop.
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  Mount Nathan Winery in Clagiraba Road, Mount Nathan, is set among a lush paulownia plantation on Clagiraba Creek. It has an extensive range of white wines, red wines and aged port. Don't miss the honey cream liqueurs and cocktails.
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  For a winery a little off the trail but well worth seeing, visit Sirromet Wines on Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton.