Lamington National Park
Getting there and getting around
Lamington National Park is made up of two sections: Green Mountains and Binna Burra. Green Mountains is located on the western side of the Lamington Plateau in an area called O’Reilly.
Getting to Green Mountains (O’Reilly)
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 50mins. This road is unsuitable for caravans.
Getting to Binna Burra
Allow 70mins from Broadbeach. Drive 38km to Beechmont via Nerang. From the north, take Pacific Motorway exit 34 and route 92 to Tamborine, and route 90 to Canungra then 18km to Beechmont. The final section of the 10km drive is very narrow.
For information on commercial tour operators and public transport around the Gold Coast and hinterland, see the tourism information links.
Wheelchair accessibility
There are wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities at Lamington National Park. Binna Burra section has wheelchair-accessible picnic tables.
A trail for vision-impaired visitors is located on private land near Binna Burra Mountain Lodge.
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.
- Read more about the nature, culture and history of Lamington National Park.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
The national park campground is located at Green Mountains section, 200m from the park’s 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.
Water, toilets and hot showers are provided. Please supply all your drinking water as water quality can not be guaranteed. If using water from the campground or in the park boil or treat with water treatment tablets before drinking. 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.
There are separate campsites allocated for visitors booked to walk the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. If you are not booked on this walk, please do not camp in this designated area.
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.
- Find out more about camping in Lamington National Park.
- Frequently asked questions about Green Mountains campground.
- Book your campsite online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Remote bush camping
Limited bush campsites are available in remote areas of Lamington National Park between February and November. All remote bush camping sites are closed from 1 December to 31 January each year.These can only be reached by walking. See remote bushwalking for more information.
Bushwalkers must:- have a high level of physical fitness, navigational skills and bush sense
- be well prepared.
Group size is limited to six people per site.
Bushwalkers intending to bush camp must contact the rangers by email at green.mountains@epa.qld.gov.au.
Please read and follow the guidelines for staying safe and for minimal impact bushwalking.
Other accommodation
There is alternative accommodation neighbouring the park as well as there being 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
Lamington National Park offers a wide range of walking opportunities ranging from 1.2km to 54km. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk can either start or finish at the Green Mountains campground. If you are interested in undertaking this 54km walk, please read the walk’s details so you can better plan your Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.- Green Mountains section map
- Binna Burra section map
- Before walking in Lamington National Park please collect a copy of the Lamington National Park Visitor Guide, which is available from the park’s Binna Burra and Green Mountains information centres.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) is currently completing walking track classification assessments of all walking tracks in Lamington and Springbrook national parks. These assessments will better inform future walking track management decisions.
Where necessary, additional advice regarding any track classification variations will be provided on this web page.
Choose from the many half-day or full-day walks that take you to the park’s best attractions. Allow 15–20mins 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 an inexperienced bushwalker.
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 2 - (Australian Standards)
- Easy level track, suitable for all fitness levels — no previous bushwalking experience necessary
- All junctions sign-posted and may include interpretive signs.
Class 3 - (Australian Standards)
- Distinct tracks with junctions sign-posted, rough track surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks.
- Variable in width; muddy sections, steep grades and steps may be encountered.
- May be partially overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls may be present.
- Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
- Reasonable level of fitness required and ankle-supporting footwear recommended.
Class 4 - (Australian Standards)
- Distinct tracks with junctions sign-posted, rough track surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks.
- Variable in width; muddy sections, steep grades and steps may be encountered.
- May be extensively overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls likely to be present.
- Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
- Moderate fitness level with previous experience and ankle-supporting footwear strongly recommended.
Half-day walks in Green Mountains section
Rainforest return — 1.4km return (Allow about 30 minutes walking time) Class 2
This 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 birdwatching opportunities — watch for yellow-throated scrubwrens and logrunners among the leaf litter.
Python Rock — 3.4km return (Allow about 1 hour walking time) Class 3
This track leaves the Lamington National Park Road 800m downhill from the national park’s 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 grasstrees, 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 — 4.6km return (Allow about 1.5 hours walking time) Class 3
This track leaves the Lamington National Park Road 800m downhill from the national park’s 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 located before the creek crossing. Layers of ancient volcanic lava flows are also visible; the more resistant have formed small cliff-lines along the valley, and is best seen at the second lookout located at the end of the track. Please keep to the track as short cuts create erosion.
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 track 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 Mount 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
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 Mount Wagawn, Mount Durigan and the Tweed Range can be seen from here. These peaks are all part of the erosion caldera that surrounds Mount 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. The track is also a section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. This track connects the Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections of Lamington National Park, passing through warm and cool subtropical, and warm 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, Mount Warning and Tweed Range. During winter months, walkers are likely to hear the loud ringing call of the Albert’s lyrebird.
There is no shorter way to walk between either entrance to the park. Stay on the Border Track. Other routes may appear to reduce the distance but are longer.
Mount Merino track — 21.6km return from Binna Burra, 24km return from Green Mountains (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 4
Chakoonya lookout is about halfway along the Border Track between Binna Burra and Green Mountains (O’Reilly). A short sidetrack 10km from Binna Burra leads to two lookouts; Beereenbano and Merino, with views 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 of 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 (Allow about 1.5 hours walking time) Class 4
From the park’s information centre, this interesting track winds up through open forest and rainforest to emerge on the road near the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge road entrance. Alternatively, begin this track from the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge road entrance and return via Binna Burra Road. Caution: this track contains unstable surfaces. Rockfalls may occur on the track and in Kweebani Cave. For your safety, avoid lingering near the cave — move along the track and view the cave from a safe distance.
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 produced by the Lamington Natural History Association for this circuit is available at the national park’s information centre, kiosk and Binna Burra Mountain 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. This 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 (Kurraragin) 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 pines (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 national park information centre, campground kiosk and Binna Burra Mountain 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. At the trailhead take the right branch of the Rainforest circuit and follow signs to the Tullawallal circuit.
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, turn left. At the second junction turn left onto the Border Track and continue to the Binna Burra carpark.
Gwongoorool track — 6km return (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 crayfish, eels and eastern water dragons.
Return via same track and set of stairs.
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 a clearing, once a dairy farm. The circuit returns via the Binna Burra Road. Please note that choosing to return via the Caves track adds 1.6km to the walk.
This track forms part of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, arrow markers indicate the route. Please do not attempt this walk unless you are a Great Walker and have a copy of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Topographic Map.
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 Nixon 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 Nixon Creek’s headwaters; and wet sclerophyll forest with giant New England ash (Eucalyptus campanulata) around the track intersection to the Ships Stern circuit.
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, 5.5km from the track entrance, 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 the Binna Burra carpark. The river crossings involve rock-hopping: they can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood.
Mount 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 Mount Hobwee (1163m). Much of the forest near the summit was disturbed by a severe storm in 1983.
The Nothofagus forest and associated communities found on this peak and Mount 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.
The circuit rejoins the Border Track for the return to the Binna Burra carpark.
Araucaria lookout — 17.8km return (Allow about 7 hours walking time) Class 4
The Araucaria track leaves the Mount Hobwee circuit 900m from the Border Track junction. The 2.6km track passes Orchid Bower lookout 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 Mount 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 mounts Hobwee and Merino, survive. Garragoolba lookout features uninterrupted views of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning. Return to Binna Burra along the same track.
The views from Wagawn can be obscured by regrowth. Please be aware that only in years after naturally occurring events such as severe wildfires or storm can you enjoy uninterrupted views. In interim years the forest regrowth may interrupt views. Please do not damage or remove vegetation as many of these plants are significant species in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Remember; all plants are protected by legislation.
Return to the Binna Burra carpark along the same track.
Ships Stern circuit — 21km 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 Mountain Lodge). It descends into Kurraragin Valley (Nixon 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.
This track forms part of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, arrow markers indicate the route. Please do not attempt this walk unless you are a Great Walker and have a copy of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Topographic Map.
Illinbah circuit — 16.6km return (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 4
To walk the Illinbah circuit, start at the carpark near the national park 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. Always carry enough drinking water.
Remote bushwalking
Lamington National Park offers some of the most spectacular remote area bushwalking opportunities in the Gold Coast hinterland. The extremely rugged mountain terrain can be hazardous for inexperienced or poorly prepared walkers. A high level of physical fitness and navigational skills are essential.
Walkers should familiarise themselves with the area before attempting an extended walk.
Contact us for assistance with route advice and other detailed information. Established bushwalking clubs with experienced off-track walkers regularly organise trips to Lamington National Park. Guidebooks covering most walks are available from specialist camping stores and some bookshops.
Remote area walking is only advised in the cooler weather, usually April to September. Walking during summer can be very hazardous due to high temperatures and lack of surface water.
All remote bushwalkers are expected to follow the minimal impact bushwalking and bush camping practices, such as observing proper sanitation and hygiene methods and avoiding polluting water in any way.
Guided tours and talks
Commercially operated tours are available within the park. For further information see the tourism information links.
Connect with Nature schools program
A wide range of curriculum based environmental education activities is available for primary and secondary school groups. The program gives students the opportunity to experience Queensland’s natural environment and cultural heritage through ranger-guided activities.
- Find out more about the Connect with Nature schools program.
Picnic and day-use areas
The main picnic area at Green Mountains (O’Reilly) has toilets, tables and three electric barbecues. Lamington is popular for day visits, so expect crowded conditions in the picnic area during weekends and holiday seasons. Come prepared with your own seating and a fuel stove.
Binna Burra section has a small picnic area and toilet located near the national park’s information centre, located on the right-hand side of the road just after the park entrance sign. A larger picnic area with toilets, tables and electric 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-use picnic areas and all rubbish (including food scraps and sanitary products) must be carried out of the park. Those using human waste disposal kits or portable chemical toilets are to dispose of their waste in appropriate facilities off the mountain. Please do not empty these wastes into the hybrid toilets located on the park.
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 whipbird, 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 around rainforest trees for fruits and arthropods such as beetles and spiders. The 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, 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. Mountain brushtail possums (bobucks), with their dense black fur, are usually seen in rainforest trees at night.
- For more details about Lamington’s diverse wildlife, see the description of the park’s natural environment.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
Always be prepared, even on half-day walks, and use sound judgment while visiting and walking in Lamington National Park.
- Take warm clothing and raincoats, as weather can change quickly at any time of the year.
- Wear sensible footwear — boots or strong shoes.
- Wear a hat and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
- Carry adequate drinking water, a fuel stove to boil creek water for drinking and/or chemical tables to treat creek water.
- Take a torch and some extra food.
- Always pack a first-aid kit and first-aid manual. Learn first-aid procedures.
- Carry the park’s visitor guide that includes detailed walking track information (obtained from the park information centres).
- Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife. A torch, preferably with a red filter to protect animals' eyes, is useful for spotlighting at night.
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-use or picnic areas and all rubbish (including food scraps and bagged sanitary products) must be carried out.
Opening hours
Lamington National Park is open 24 hours a day.
Green Mountains park office is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am–3.30pm (park duties permitting). The information centre is opened during the weekends pending availability of volunteers.
Binna Burra park office is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am–4.00pm (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 advance for all weekends and school holidays. At other times campers may self-register on-site. A campsite tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.
All remote bush camping sites must be booked online. All bush camping sites are closed between 1 December and 31 January each year.
- Book your Green Mountains campground campsite online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Lamington National Park.
Climate and weather
Lamington is considered to be on average 5°C cooler than Brisbane. Extreme winter temperatures can get below 0°C. 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. No fuel is available on Lamington Plateau. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Frequently asked questions
For more information, please read the Frequently asked questions section.
Staying safe
Lamington National Park is a wild place with hidden dangers for the unwary visitor. It is vital to pay close attention to signs that warn of local dangers. Follow these tips and use common sense to stay safe in Lamington National Park.
Swimming
- The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) can't stop you from swimming but it is our responsibility to inform you of the hazards of swimming in natural waterways. Spinal cord injuries such as quadriplegia and paraplegia are some of the serious results from either jumping or diving into creeks. People who have injured their spines through jumping or diving into water often drown.
- Never dive or jump into the water as it may be shallow or hide submerged obstructions.
Walking
- Be prepared, even on short walks, and judge your ability and conditions carefully before setting out. Do not expect to be warned of every possible danger.
- Before setting out on long walks, you should leave a copy of your bushwalking plans with a friend, relative, reliable person or place of accommodation. This person has the sole responsibility of contacting police if you are overdue. Your plans should include:
- your name, address, number of people in your party, ages and any medical conditions;
- vehicle registration, make, model, colour and parking location;
- the route you are taking, expected times of departure and return.
- Remember that a search and rescue is costly, endangers people’s lives and can damage the environment.
- Leave plenty of time to reach your destination. Do not attempt long walks after midday.
- Take care near cliff edges, at lookouts, on rocks and near waterfalls, especially in wet weather. Never stand on cliff edges while looking through a camera or binoculars. Many tracks have steep drop-offs beside them, so walk carefully. Keep children under close supervision — a steep drop-off may be just around the corner.
- Keep to the walking tracks where provided and take care on rocks, as they may be slippery. If you leave the national park’s walking track system you are fully responsible for your actions and safety.
- Walk with a recognised bushwalking club. This is a good way to gain experience.
- Walk with one or more friends. At least one member of each party should be a competent map-reader and bushwalker.
- Learn map and compass skills. Recommended maps for bushwalking are 1:25,000 topographic maps. It is also advisable to carry a recognised bushwalking guidebook for the area.
Wildlife
- Eels inhabit many of the park’s pools and streams. Disturbing them by wading or sitting in these water bodies may result in a quick, sharp bite. Some bleeding may occur. Have a first-aid kit handy to treat the bite.
- Check yourself and children daily for ticks, often found in body creases. Remove with tweezers and consult a first-aid book.
- Leeches are common in wetter areas. Insect repellent on your socks helps keep them away. Remove them by pushing with your fingernail where they have attached. Some bleeding after removal is normal due to the anticoagulant in the leech bite, but there are usually no ill effects apart from an itchy bite-mark.
- Stinging trees (recognisable by their very large, round leaves) can deliver an extremely painful sting — do not touch their leaves.
- Venomous snakes live in the park, so watch for snakes on the path, and wait for them to move away. Never pick up, disturb or try to kill a snake. Carry elastic bandages in case of snakebite, and know the correct first-aid procedure.
In an emergency
In case of accident or other emergency please:- call 000
- if you have difficulty connecting to 000 from your mobile phone, try 112
- advise your location and nature of the emergency
- stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.
The nearest hospitals are located at Beaudesert, Robina and Southport on the Gold Coast. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable. Depending on your mobile phone provider you can often get a signal near lookouts.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.Looking after the park
The natural beauty of Lamington National Park attracts thousands of people to the area, but high visitor numbers create many pressures. Litter, erosion caused by shortcutting tracks, damage to vegetation and disturbance to wildlife all threaten nature's delicate existence.
You can help protect the park by observing these guidelines:
- Please leave all plants and animals undisturbed.
- Please do not feed the wildlife. Feeding native animals may cause poor health and sometimes death.
- Use toilets if available. Away from toilets, take care with sanitation and hygiene and don’t pollute natural water supplies. Ensure all faecal matter and toilet paper is properly buried (15cm deep) well away from tracks, campsites and 100m from all watercourses and drainage channels (carry a small trowel for this purpose). Bag and carry out disposable nappies and sanitary products.
- Wash away from streams, gullies and watercourses, as all detergents, soaps, sunscreens and toothpastes pollute water and damage aquatic life.
- Take your rubbish home. Minimal impact bushwalkers take great care to avoid leaving any rubbish. Remember — pack it in, pack it out. This includes all food scraps, scraps of foil, lolly wrappers and cigarette butts.
- Keep to the walking tracks where provided, don’t shortcut, and take care near cliff edges.
No open fires are allowed in the park; fuel stoves must be used. This is because of:
- the possibility of pathogens, fire ants and cane toadlets being bought into the park from introduced firewood
- the importance of fallen and dead timber (as homes for insects, reptiles and small mammals and in returning nutrients to the soil)
- the danger of starting wildfires
- damage caused by people trampling as they gather wood.
Stop the spread of pathogens (disease producing organisms). Soil and detritus can contain pathogens such as fungal spores that are harmful to the forest and frogs.
- Keep to designated roads and walking tracks at all times.
- Start and finish you bushwalk with clean footwear and camping gear by removing soil from footwear, camping spade or trowel and tent pegs before leaving an area and keep all gear as clean and free from soil as possible during the walk.
- Please clean and disinfect your footwear and camping equipment using a disinfectant either at home before visiting the park.
Be frog friendly
Lamington’s waterways provide important habitats for a number of endangered or vulnerable species, particularly frogs. Please help protect these sensitive habitats by following the guidelines below.
- Please do not disturb, handle or remove frogs, their eggs or tadpoles.
- Do not use or discard, soap, detergent, shampoo, sunscreen, insect repellent or any other potential pollutant in creeks or along the banks.
- Keep to walking tracks and cross directly where the track crosses the creek.
- Please do not disturb or remove rocks or trample vegetation in or directly adjacent to creeks.
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 the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) 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
-
- www.beaudeserttourism.com
- PO Box 309, Beaudesert QLD 4285
- ph 1300 881 164
- fax 07 5543 4501
- email info@beaudeserttourism.com
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
Last updated: 09 June 2009
