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Lamington National Park

  • Nature, culture and history
  • Frequently asked questions

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    The park is made up of two sections: Green Mountains and Binna Burra.

    Getting to Green Mountains

    From Broadbeach, drive 40km to Canungra via Nerang. From the north, take Pacific Motorway exit 34 to Beenleigh, route 92 to Tamborine, and route 90 to Canungra. The 36km winding and often narrow bitumen road from Canungra requires care and takes at least 50 minutes. This road is unsuitable for caravans.

    Getting to Binna Burra

    Allow 70 minutes from Broadbeach. Drive 38km to Beechmont via Nerang. From the north, take Pacific Motorway exit 34 to Beenleigh, route 92 to Tamborine, and route 90 to Canungra then 18km to Beechmont. The final section of the 10km drive is very narrow.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    The toilets and picnic tables at Binna Burra are wheelchair-accessible. A trail for sight-impaired people is located on private land near Binna Burra Mountain Resort.

    There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities or tracks at Green Mountains section.

    Park features

    Declared in 1915, Lamington National Park covers 20,590ha and boasts extensive walking tracks along the McPherson Range, which allow visitors to explore the area’s forests, creeks and waterfalls. Dramatic lookouts afford views over the Gold Coast, south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.

    Lamington is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which includes the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world, most of the world’s warm temperate rainforest and nearly all of the Antarctic beech (Nothofagus moorei) cool temperate rainforest.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    The national park campground is located at Green Mountains section, 200m from the QPWS information centre. Camping permits must be booked in advanced for all weekends and school holidays. At other times campers may pre-book or self-register on-site. Fees apply.

    Drinking water, toilets and hot showers are provided. There is also an industrial bin for rubbish. Bring a fuel stove as no open fires are allowed in the park. There are no powered sites and caravans are not accommodated.

    You can bush camp at remote, walk-in, designated sites in the park between February and November. Conditions and fees apply. All remote bush camping sites must be pre-booked through the QPWS Green Mountains office at least three weeks in advance.

    Binna Burra Mountain Lodge manages a campground adjacent to the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Other accommodation

    At Green Mountains, resort accommodation is available at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse, located on private land adjoining the park.

    At Binna Burra, resort accommodation is available at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge on private land adjoining the park.

    There is a wide range of holiday accommodation in and around Canungra, Beechmont and other towns in the Gold Coast hinterland. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    Choose from the many half-day or full-day walks that take you to the park’s best attractions. Ensure you obtain a copy of the visitor guide that includes detailed walking track information from the Green Mountains Information Centre or the Binna Burra Information Centre before setting out on your walk.

    Allow 15–20 minutes to walk one kilometre. This time is calculated for people of average fitness and bushwalking experience and who are wearing correct footwear. Allow more time to include rests and to return to your starting point if you are walking with small children or are inexperienced bushwalkers.

    Distances given are from the track entrance and return.

    Boogul yahnbelehla — Have a good walk!

    Key to track standards

    The classification system is based on Australian Standards. Please note that while each track is classified according to its most difficult section, other sections may be of an easier level.

    Class 1

    There are no Class 1 wheelchair access tracks within Lamington National Park.

    Class 2

    Class 3

    Class 4

    Half-day walks in Green Mountains section

    Rainforest Return — 1.4km return (Allow about 30 minutes walking time) Class 2

    A short walk follows the Border Track through rainforest for 700m. The large boulders just past the entrance are a good example of how exposed basalt eventually decomposes by a weathering process (exfoliation) into spherical boulder shapes. This walk offers excellent bird-watching opportunities — watch for yellow-throated scrubwrens and logrunners among the leaf litter.

    Python Rock — 3.2km return (Allow about 1 hour walking time) Class 3

    This track leaves the Lamington National Park Road 800m downhill from the Information Centre. Some parking is available at the track entrance. Python Rock Lookout (1.6km from the track’s entrance) provides views of Morans Falls, Castle Crag and Lost World. Views from the lookout highlight the geological processes of erosion, including valley widening and escarpment formation.

    This track passes through a closed rainforest community into an open eucalypt forest where fire-adapted species such as grass trees, hakeas and various wildflowers grow. The guttural “popping” of the masked mountain frog Kyarranus loveridgei can be heard on wet or moist days in late spring and summer. These ancient frogs are members of the Gondwanan family commonly known as southern frogs.

    Morans Falls track — 4.4km return (Allow about 1.5 hours walking time) Class 3

    This track leaves the Lamington National Park Road 800m downhill from the Information Centre. Some parking is available at the track entrance. An excellent view of Morans Falls and Morans Creek gorge can be seen from the constructed lookout. Layers of ancient volcanic lava flows are also visible; the more resistant have formed small cliff-lines along the valley.

    Full-day walks in Green Mountains section

    Box Forest circuit — 10.9km return (Allow about 4 hours walking time) Class 4

    This track branches from the Border Track 1·8km from the park entrance and leads directly to Picnic Rock and Elabana Falls. It runs through rainforest and past impressive stands of smooth, pink-barked brush box Lophostemon confertus before reaching the falls. Similar brush box in other parts of the World Heritage area have been radiocarbon dated at 1500 years, making these giant trees the oldest ever carbon-dated on Australia’s mainland.

    If you intend walking this entire circuit, walk in a clockwise direction and exit via Elabana Falls and Picnic Rock.

    Toolona Creek circuit — 17.4km return (Allow about 6 hours walking time) Class 4

    The Toolona Creek track branches from the Box Forest circuit near Elabana Falls, then climbs beside Toolona Creek up a gorge and past its headwaters to emerge on the Border Track near Wanungara Lookout. The narrow Toolona Gorge creates a protected moist and shady refuge for many ancient flowering rainforest plants. The king fern Todea barbara is a relict of one of the oldest fern families, Osmundaceae, evolving even before Gondwana formed.

    The return trip via the Border Track passes Mt Bithongabel. Many large clumps of Antarctic beech (Nothofagus moorei) trees are found in the area.

    West Canungra Creek circuit — 13.9km return (Allow about 5.5 hours walking time) Class 4

    Please note: This track requires a high degree of fitness and experience.

    The track descends to “Yerralahla” (blue pool), passing by some large rainforest trees including red cedar Toona ciliata, and then follows the creek for most of its length, crossing it several times. Creek crossings may be difficult to navigate and the trail might not be obvious in places. Take particular care at creek crossings, especially after rain. Check track conditions with a Ranger before you leave. The track exits via the Box Forest circuit.

    On overcast summer days, leaf-tailed geckos are often seen in large numbers along this track. This gecko is endemic to this Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area. Fossilised ancestors of this species from over 20 million years ago have been found in the World Heritage-listed Australian Fossil Mammal sites (Riversleigh).

    Albert River circuit — 20.6km return (Allow about 7 hours walking time) Class 4

    This track leaves the Border Track 5km from the main track entrance and winds down to Echo Falls before following a branch of the Albert River upstream to Echo Point Lookout. Panoramic views of Mt Wagawn, Mt Durigan and the Tweed Range can be seen from here. These peaks are all part of the erosion caldera that surrounds Mt Warning, once a central volcanic plug. Traditional owners of the Bungalang language group call this mighty plug “Wollumbin” (cloud-catcher).

    The track continues east along the Queensland–New South Wales border, then turns north-west to connect with the Border Track. In September when the beech orchids Dendrobium falcorostrum are flowering, this track takes on a particular charm, with the delicate orchids contrasting with the massive trunks to which they cling.

    Full day walks accessible from both Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections

    Border Track — 21.4km one way only (Allow about 7 hours walking time) Class 4

    The Border Track is the backbone of the Lamington walking track system, with most walks radiating from it. This track connects the Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections of the Lamington National Park, passing through warm and cool subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate rainforest. These varied rainforest communities contain many ancient families of flowering plants: the bolwarra family Eupomatiacea, pepperbush Winteraceae, laurels Lauraceae, lillypillies Myrtaceae, and the southern beech Fagaceae.

    On a clear day, lookouts provide spectacular views of the Lamington wilderness area, Mt Warning and Tweed Range. During winter months, walkers are likely to hear the loud ringing call of the Albert’s lyrebird.

    Mt Merino track — 21.6km return from Binna Burra, 24km return from Green Mountains. (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 4

    Mt Merino (1160m) is halfway along the Border Track between Binna Burra and Green Mountains. A short sidetrack 10km from Binna Burra leads to the lookout over the Tweed and Limpinwood Valleys. The track passes through areas of forest damaged during a severe storm in 1983.

    Did you know that a small cockroach found in this area also occurs on high peaks in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (far north Queensland)? This is one of the many examples of the links with our Gondwanan past.

    Half-day walks in Binna Burra section

    Caves circuit — 5km return from Information Centre (Allow about 1.5 hours walking time) Class 4

    From the Information Centre, this interesting track winds up through open forest and rainforest to emerge on the road near the Binna Burra Lodge road entrance. Alternatively, begin this track from the Binna Burra Lodge road entrance and return via Binna Burra Road. The track provides excellent views into the Coomera Valley and passes a large red cedar and fine specimens of other rainforest tree species. The major cliff line opposite is of a flow of rhyolite and deposits of boulders and ash (tuff) can be seen in overhanging caves. Possibly the largest intact stand of hoop pine Araucaria cunninghamii can be seen along the Darlington Range.

    White-throated treecreepers, members of one of the oldest groups of songbirds, are frequently seen on this track. Koalas are often seen in open forest areas along the walk. Take care when walking down the bitumen road to return to the start of the circuit, especially on weekends when traffic is heavy. A self-guiding brochure for this circuit is available at the Information Centre, kiosk and Binna Burra Lodge.

    Bellbird Lookout — 2km return (Allow about 1 hour walking time) Class 4

    This track branches off the Ships Stern circuit and descends through rainforest and open forest before emerging suddenly at Bellbird Lookout – a natural lookout that has no handrails and is above a very high, steep cliff. (This lookout and most of the track is on Binna Burra Lodge land and is not part of the national park). Please keep children under close supervision and keep well away from the cliff edge.

    From here you get an excellent view of Ships Stern, Turtle Rock, Egg Rock and Numinbah Valley. This is a brilliant opportunity to view what millions of years of erosion, landslides and weathering have created. These continuing geological processes will continue to shape what you see before you.

    Hoop pine Araucaria cunninghamii can be seen from the lookout, growing on the exposed northern slopes. Harvesting of hoop pine and red cedar Toona ciliata led to the initial European settlement and ultimate clearing of Numinbah Valley for agriculture.

    Rainforest circuit — 1.2km return (Allow about 30 minutes walking time) Class 2

    For a quick introduction to the “typical” warm subtropical rainforest of Lamington, follow the Border Track for 500m, then branch right and return to the picnic area along the rainforest circuit track. Bowerbirds and catbirds are commonly heard. A self-guiding brochure produced by the Lamington Natural History Association (LNHA Inc.) is available at the Information Centre, campground kiosk and Binna Burra Lodge.

    Tullawallal circuit — 5km return (Allow about 1.5 hours walking time) Class 3

    Visit the most accessible cool temperate rainforest in Lamington and the closest patch of this forest type to Binna Burra. Leave the Border Track 1.9km from the track entrance and follow a short sidetrack to Tullawallal. The pocket of Antarctic beech Nothofagus moorei on the summit is the northernmost location of this species in Australia. These trees are one of our remaining links with the ancient forests of Gondwana. Nothofagus forests were once widespread across the continent and provided a habitat for many animals that have long since disappeared from our landscape.

    From Tullawallal, return to the track junction and continue the circuit via the Loop Track to Binna Burra.

    Gwongoorool track — 6km return from Information Centre (Allow about 2 hours walking time) Class 4

    This track branches off the Illinbah circuit (see below) and descends past cliffs of volcanic ash (tuff), through open forest and rainforest to Gwongoorool Pool on the Coomera River. The river is important habitat (as are all of Lamington’s streams) for hylid frogs (tree frog family), freshwater crays and the eastern water dragon.

    Return via same track. (Illinbah circuit begins at the carpark near the Information Centre).

    Lower Bellbird circuit — 12km return (Allow about 4 hours walking time) Class 4

    This track branches off the Ships Stern circuit 3.7km from the track entrance. The track passes through a patch of dry rainforest, regarded as an example of the rise of the “dry adapted” flora now widespread in Australia. Follow the track below Bellbird Lookout and emerge at Egg Rock clearing, part of a former dairy farm. The circuit returns via the Binna Burra Road. (If you choose to return via Caves track, this adds 1.6km to the walk).

    Daves Creek circuit — 12km return (Allow about 4 hours walking time) Class 4

    To see a fascinating variety of forest and heath, branch off the Border Track 2.3km from the entrance and descend through the head of Nixons Creek Valley out into Daves Creek country. The track passes through several distinctive vegetation types: warm and cool subtropical rainforest along the Border Track; warm temperate rainforest containing many examples of ancient angiosperms such as coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum in Nixons Creek’s headwaters; and wet sclerophyll forest with giant New England ash Eucalyptus campanulata around Nagarigoon clearing.

    Full-day walks in Binna Burra section

    Coomera circuit — 17.4km return (Allow about 7 hours walking time) Class 4

    The scenic Coomera circuit leaves the Border Track 1.9km from the entrance and passes through subtropical and warm temperate rainforest and giant brush box Lophostemon confertus forest. The gorge is 160m deep. Views from the lookout platform provide dramatic evidence of the power of erosion, which has cut through a thick resistant rhyolite lava flow. The circuit climbs beside Coomera Gorge, crossing the river several times before rejoining the Border Track and returning to Binna Burra. The river crossings involve rock-hopping: they can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood.

    Mt Hobwee circuit — 18.2km return (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 4

    After leaving the Border Track 5·4km from Binna Burra, this circuit winds through rainforest to the summit of Mt Hobwee (1140m). The Nothofagus forest and associated communities found on this peak and Mt Merino provide strong evidence of the Gondwanan connection. The “beech orange”, a species of fungus, occurs only on Nothofagus species found in Australia and South America.

    Much of the forest near the summit was disturbed by a severe storm in 1983. The circuit continues to Dacelo Lookout then rejoins the Border Track for the return to Binna Burra.

    Araucaria Lookout — 17.8km return (Allow about 7 hours walking time) Class 4

    The Araucaria track leaves the Mt Hobwee circuit 900m from the Border Track junction. The 2.6km track passes Orchid Bower and ends at Araucaria Lookout. The name is taken from the hoop pines Araucaria cunninghamii growing near the lookout. These hoop pine communities are a living representative of the Jurassic Age — the age of the conifers — about 180 million years ago. Like living dinosaurs, these pines are among the most primitive of conifers.

    Wagawn — 18km return (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 4

    This track also branches off the Mt Hobwee circuit, 2km from the Border Track junction. Follow the track past the ancient Nothofagus forest, where several significant invertebrates, primitive moss and fungus insects, and an undescribed species of snail known only from Mts Hobwee and Merino, survive.

    Only in the years after naturally occurring events such as severe wildfires or storms can you see uninterrupted views of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley and Mt Warning from Wagawn. In the interim years the view may be interrupted by forest regrowth. These plants are significant species in the World Heritage Area and their survival could be threatened if there was regular pruning. Return to Binna Burra along the same track.

    Ships Stern circuit — 19km return (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 4

    Ships Stern circuit starts 300m back from the road’s end (opposite the road entrance to Binna Burra Lodge) and is best walked in cooler months. It descends into Kurraragin Valley (Nixons Creek) where you will see fine stands of piccabeen palm Archontophoenix cunninghamii, large red cedar Toona ciliata, and majestic flooded gum Eucalyptus grandis.

    Lower Ballunjui Falls, 5.3km from the track entrance, is reached by a short side-track that branches off the main track. On the Ships Stern Range, which is formed of rhyolite, the rainforest gives way to eucalypt forest with a dense understorey of spring-blooming wildflowers. Lookouts provide views into Numinbah and Kurraragin Valleys, giving us a glimpse of a stage in the continuing erosion of the Tweed Shield Volcano. The unmistakable Egg Rock is a rhyolite plug that formed in one of the subsidiary vents of this once massive shield volcano.

    The track continues through rainforest and open forest (with another side-track, 1.3km one way, providing access to the top of Ballunjui Falls) before joining the Border Track to return to Binna Burra. For the very energetic, Daves Creek circuit can be added to this walk, making a total of 23km.

    Illinbah circuit — 16.6km return from Information Centre (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 4

    To walk the Illinbah circuit, start at the carpark near the Information Centre and descend through rainforest and open forest to the Coomera River. The dry rainforest on the river’s western side provides habitat for the black-breasted button-quail, a member of an ancient order of birds. A rough track then follows the “Old Cedar Road” (used by timber-getters in the early 1900s), crossing the Coomera River several times.

    These crossings can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood. The track then leaves the river and climbs the Beechmont Range to return to Binna Burra. (Note: In hot weather it may be less strenuous to walk this circuit in the opposite direction to that described here).

    Guided tours and talks

    Commercially operated tours are available within the park. For further information see the tourism information links.

    Picnic and day use areas

    The main picnic area at Green Mountains has toilets, tables and three electric-coin-operated barbecues. Lamington is popular for day visits, so expect crowded conditions in the picnic area during weekends and holiday seasons. Come prepared with a fuel stove and seating.

    Binna Burra section has a small picnic area and toilet located near the QPWS Information Centre, located on the right-hand side of the road just after the park entrance sign. A larger picnic area with tables and barbecue facilities is located at the end of the Binna Burra road next to the main track entrance.

    Day visitors must bring their own rubbish bags as no bins are provided in the day picnic areas and all rubbish (including food scraps) must be carried out.

    Viewing wildlife

    On the park’s many walking tracks you can see subtropical rainforest, ancient Antarctic beech trees, hoop pines, eucalypt forest and montane heath — and if you are quiet and lucky, some of the area’s incredible variety of wildlife.

    You are likely to hear the whip-cracking call of the eastern whip bird, and undoubtedly see the brilliant red and blue colours of the crimson rosella or the magnificent green and red of the Australian king parrot. If you look carefully during springtime, the regent bowerbird, with its brilliant black and gold colouring, is frequently seen foraging rainforest trees for fruits and anthropods such as beetles and spiders. Albert’s lyrebird is often encountered along the rainforest tracks in the cooler months. Listen for the male’s extraordinary song, which incorporates imitations of sounds from nature and, sometimes, human activities.

    As you walk, look out for the shiny black scales of the largest known skink — the land mullet – a harmless, thick-set, black lizard. You may even be lucky to spy a carpet python basking in the sun.

    In the picnic areas, red-necked pademelons are commonly seen early morning and late afternoon foraging on grass. Short-eared possums (bobucks), with their dense black fur, are usually seen in rainforest trees at night.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Always be prepared, even on half-day walks.

    A topographic map and compass are essential for any off-track walking — and you need to know how to use them!

    Day visitors must also bring their own rubbish bags as no bins are provided in the day picnic areas and all rubbish (including food scraps) must be carried out. Tampons and sanitary napkins should be wrapped and brought out too.

    Opening hours

    Lamington National Park is open 24 hours a day.

    Green Mountains park office is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; 9:00am–11:00am & 1:00pm–3:30pm, Tuesday and Friday 1:00pm–3:30pm (park duties permitting).

    Binna Burra park office is open Monday to Friday 1:00pm–3.30pm (park duties permitting).

    Permits and fees

    All camping areas within Lamington National Park require a camping permit and fees apply.

    Permits for Green Mountains campground must be booked in advanced for all weekends and school holidays. At other times campers may pre-book or self-register on-site. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.

    All remote bushcamping sites must be pre-booked through the Green Mountains park office at least three weeks in advance. Bush camping only allowed in specific places and is not permitted between 1 December and 31 January each year.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Lamington National Park.

    Climate and weather

    Lamington is considered to be on average 5 degrees cooler than Brisbane. Extreme winter temperatures can get below zero degrees Celsius. Frosts can occur.

    The park usually receives on average about 1.8m of rain per year. This usually coincides with the summer season (December, January, February and often March).

    Visitors familiar with Lamington National Park tend to appreciate walking in winter as the fine weather makes views less hazy, rain is usually minimal and leeches uncommon.

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available at Canungra and Nerang. Unleaded petrol (but not diesel) is available at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Frequently asked questions

    For more information, please read the Frequently asked questions section.

    Staying safe

    The nearest hospitals are located at Beaudesert and Robina on the Gold Coast. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable. Depending on your mobile phone provider you can often get a signal near lookouts.

    In case of accident or other emergency please:

    For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

    Looking after the park

    All rubbish (including food scraps) must be carried out, and you can help the park by bringing out any other rubbish you find. Carry a small rubbish bag, so that even tiny scraps of tin foil, lolly papers and cigarette butts can be carried out. Tampons and sanitary napkins should be wrapped and brought out too.

    No open fires are allowed in the park; fuel stoves must be used. This decision was made because of:

    There are no toilets away from picnic and camping areas, so take care with sanitation and hygiene and don’t pollute the natural water supplies.

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Lamington National Park is a reserve of international significance and is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to preserve and present its remarkable natural and cultural values in perpetuity.

    Lamington’s outstanding geological history, evolutionary significance and role in nature conservation are recognised through its inclusion in the World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. Management is in accordance with internationally recognised obligations under the World Heritage Convention.

    A draft management plan for Lamington National Park has been prepared and will be reviewed in the future.

    Tourism information links

    Beaudesert Country Tourism

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

    Further information

    Lamington National Park, Green Mountains section
    Lamington National Park, Binna Burra section
    EPA Customer Service Centre
    • 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
    • PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
    • ph (07) 3227 8185
    • fax (07) 3227 8749
    • email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
    Smart Service (for camping bookings)

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    Last updated: 20 September 2007