Lamington National Park: It is the perfect time to experience World Heritage Under Your Feet. The Silver team went to O’Reilly’s at Canungra, just on our doorstep. It’s hard to believe that this nature paradise is so close. Here are our favourite walks!
We have had numerous requests here at Silver to suggest the best bushwalks for the over 50s. So we went to investigate the utterly stunning O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. It’s a tough job but we fell on the sword for you. You are welcome!
The Scenic Rim was just named in the top 10 regions to visit in 2022 for Lonely Planet. And with good reason, it’s achingly beautiful. So here we are!
Image by Katie Purling
Lamington National Park Location
For those of you who are new to the Gold Coast, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is only around 90 minutes from the Gold Coast, and it is just so beautiful it’s hard to put into words how lucky we are to have this just so close to us. You can stay in a lot of different types of accommodation at O’Reilly’s. You can also camp at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. The campground just took out bronze in the Queensland Tourism Awards.
And, the Vineyard (which is a whole other 6-page story in itself) just took out the silver medal!
Located in the Lamington National Park, it is the most drop-dead gorgeous bushwalking destination in Queensland. It contains over 320 kms of walking tracks that lead to spectacular lookouts, waterfalls and some of Queensland’s most significant wilderness areas.
Lamington National Park is nearly 1000 metres above sea level which means that the temperature is 5-8 degrees cooler than Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Lamington National Park is made up of two sections: Green Mountains and Binna Burra. Green Mountains section is located on the western side of the Lamington Plateau, and wraps around O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
Below are self-guided walks, but there are more. Plus, you can actually book yourself or your group on a private guided walk. These are utterly fascinating, and the O’Reilly’s guides really know their stuff.
Lamington National Park: SHORT WALKS
The Tree Top Walk – Return Distance 800 metres The Booyong Walk is clearly signposted. It starts opposite the entrance to the O’Reilly’s Reception. This walk is an iconic part of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. It’s great for a daytrip for the active over 50s – it has 9 suspension bridges up to 16 metres above ground. You get a bird’s eye view from a deck in a fig tree over the walkway. The best time to see birdlife is early morning or late afternoon. The Tree Top Walk is free to experience at your own leisure, and it is open all day every day.
Mick’s Tower – Return Distance 1 km
This walk shares the same entrance as the Wishing Tree Track, except you turn right at the 330m mark. This rainforest observation tower is 18 metres high. Information signs on the various decks refer to the surrounding rainforest and in particular to a large Red Carabeen growing close by. This is an ideal spot to enjoy the tranquillity of a rainforest canopy with the birds for company.
Centenary Track – 1.8 km return
This universal access track leaves from the northern end of the Green Mountains carpark, 150 m from the national park information centre. The track passes by a tall hoop pine at the entrance and slowly descends through subtropical rainforest for 900m. It then joins the Python Rock and Morans Falls tracks. Bench seating spaced along the track offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. Watch for regent and satin bowerbirds darting through the branches, logrunners foraging on fallen tree trunks and Albert’s lyrebirds scratching in the leaf litter.
Image by Tourism & Events Queensland
Lamington National Park: HALF DAY WALKS
Moonlight Crag – Return Distance 7km
For the more fit and feisty over 50s who would prefer to stay at O’Reilly’s rather than do a day trip (do it, it’s gorgeous) these are most vigorous walks and involve some hill climbing. On this walk, you can swing by Moran’s Falls and see Balancing Rock.
Elabana Falls – Return Distance 7.6 km
The Elabana Falls Track descends through a stand of Antarctic Beech and then past the largest Brush Box trees in the National Park. Turn right at the Box Forest turn-off for Picnic Rock, a favourite lunch spot, but be sure to continue to Elabana Falls 400 metres further on.
Pat’s Bluff – Return Distance 5.4km
Pat’s Bluff affords a view over the Albert and Logan River valleys to the Great Dividing Range. Pat O’Reilly’s log cabin is 70 metres in from this spot. Peregrine Falcons nest in caves in these cliffs and often rest in the dead trees above the cliff line.
Image by O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Lamington National Park: FULL DAY WALKS
Box Forest – Return Distance 10.9km
This circuit leads directly to Picnic Rock and Elabana Falls. It leads you through rainforest, 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 giants the oldest ever carbon-dated trees on Australia’s mainland. If you intend walking this entire circuit, walk in a clockwise direction and exit via Elabana Falls and Picnic Rock.
Yerralahla (Blue Pool) – Return Distance 10km This is for the feistiest over 50s. There is a 400m drop in elevation from O’Reilly’s to Blue Pool. The track winds down through outstanding sub- tropical rainforest. The track passes through stands of Red Cedar, booyong, Giant Stinging Trees and Hoop Pine, often supporting large staghorns. This walk lets you soak up the waterfalls and rainforest, and to negotiate the numerous creek crossings.
Border Track – 21.4km one way only
This is a really fun walk if you are fit and well. This track connects Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s, and there is a shuttle that takes you from O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra in the morning (check O’Reilly’s Discovery Program for days and times or speak to Reservations to book – cost is $33 per person), so you can walk back to O’Reilly’s and look forward to your swim and a wine at the end! The track passes through stunning rainforest and you’ll enjoy every step. The Border track is the backbone of this World Heritage-listed area and part of the longer Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. On a clear day, lookouts provide spectacular views.
Image by O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
DOWNLOAD YOUR OWN TRACK MAP
Lamington National Park walking track maps are available from O’Reilly’s gift shop or O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. You can also download a map from the website www.oreillys.com.au
GUIDED FULL DAY WALK – STINSON WALK
Looking for a challenge? Recount Australian history and celebrate the life of Bernard O’Reilly, who heroically saved the lives of two plane crash survivors over 80 years ago. This all happened in World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park. Following in Bernard’s footsteps, you’ll traverse 37 kms in one day from O’Reilly’s to the historic Stinson crash site. The walk goes through stunning landscape surrounded by the incredibly diverse and wonderful flora and fauna of Lamington National Park. Register your interest for the next Stinson Walk on the website!
Python Rock – 3.4 km
The sealed track to Python Rock has even grades, suitable for older people and those confined to wheelchairs. The booyongs and figs near the West Cliff turn off are impressive. So are the large New England Blackbutt as you enter the open forest for the first time. The view from Python Rock overlooks Castle Crag to the Lost World with Mount Throakban on the left and Moran’s Falls. You can proceed up the hill from the lookout on a tough track and turn left for West Cliff.
To stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Call: 1800 688 722 or log on to www.oreillys.com.au
Border Ranges National Park: Jan and Peter (both 74) took to their caravan to explore.
BORDER RANGES NATIONAL PARK
The World Heritage-listed Border Ranges National Park has scenic walks and breathtaking views surrounded by ancient landscapes. We took off in our caravan for a break inside the Gondwana rainforest.
Mt Warning is a dominant feature of the Tweed Valley in Northern New South Wales. It sits in Wollumbin National Park. This remnant core of a volcano was active 23 million years ago. Today, the core is less than half its original size. The surrounding caldera once covered an area of 80 x 100 kilometres. The erosion activity over the past 20 million years created a large cauldron- like landscape. It has one of the highest levels of biological diversity in Australia.
Mebbin National Park sits inside the caldera rim. We spent our first evening camped in this National Park. We travelled there along the Tweed Valley Way then via Murwillumbah, through the quaint village of Tyalgum, Brays Creek and pot- holed Byrrill Creek Roads to Cutters Camp. The campground, in a cleared forest setting, has recently been refurbished. New barbeques, picnic tables, toilet facilities and fireplaces have been installed to a very good standard. We enjoyed having the whole area to ourselves, (perhaps because it was cold.)
An upgraded walking track winds around a two-kilometre loop to Sweetmans Creek and back along the edge of Byrill Creek. It passes through subtropical rainforest between giant, ancient fig trees. In the late afternoon red-necked pademelons grazed happily on the grass close by.
LOCAL LEGENDS
An elderly farmer in the area caught our interest in an area further to the west near Wadeville. He shared legends and stories from the turn of the century when timber getters wandered the lands. They worked in the forests, winding their way with bullock teams to harvest the giant forest logs. There were stories of blood-stained floors and family feuds. It was late in the day when we ventured along the track that is the Old Tweed Road. It was here that a bullocky was murdered with a blow from a bullock yoke. And that wasn’t the only ghost that haunts the area.
A German settler, spurned by the one he loved, shot himself. Halfway along the track, the crumbling wooden Cranes Bridge carries a legend of an apparition that appears on the bridge. The late afternoon breeze created moving shadows across the rough track, creating an eerie feeling. We hoped a ghost of the past would linger but alas, none visited us.
A short distance away at Hanging Rock Bridge on Barkers Vale Road, incidents from the past have also added to local folklore. Apparently, a local businessman from the past abandoned his journey along this road when an apparition appeared on that bridge. A Nimbin village resident reported that his reliable horse refused to set a hoof anywhere near the bridge. We were disappointed to see that the old bridge had been replaced with a new model. But we were able to view the original crossing of the river. The mournful hoot of an owl and the approaching evening caused us to move on.
NIMBIN
The showground at Nimbin was a convenient next campsite with plenty of space and clean facilities. The village, overlooked by impressive rock formations, is a central base for exploring the natural wonders nearby. Forests of red cedar first attracted timber getters to the area in the 1840s. The 1973 the Aquarius Festival brought alternative lifestylers and communes sprouted up in the surrounding hills. The streets of the village are predominately named after the early farmers, mostly in the dairying industry.
A nearby excursion was via the village of The Channon and along a fifteen-kilometre (part gravel) diversion leading to Protesters Falls. In 1975 local residents Nan and Hugh Nicholson raised the alarm when they discovered the logging plans for the area. The Terania Creek Protest was organised in 1979 against logging old growth forest. While the original protesters’ intentions were non- violent and peaceful, not everybody supported that ideal. However, this was the first-time people physically defended a natural resource. The mill was closed down as a result. The New South Wales Premier at the time, Neville Wran, made the historic ‘Rainforest Decision’ in October 1982. It saved approximately 100,000 hectares of forest from harvesting.
The picnic ground offered a pleasant venue in the rainforest for our lunch before a one- and-a-half-kilometre walk. It followed along the pretty Terania Creek through Bangalow palms to eventually emerge at the base of the impressive long drop of the falls and pool. This is the home of the endangered Fleay ’s Barred Frog. No swimming is allowed.
MT NARDI
Our original plan was to hike the Pholis Gap and Mt Matheson Loop starting from Mt Nardi in the west Nightcap National Park. This is the starting point for several walking tracks including the Historic Nightcap track. This was once the principal route taken by travellers and postal workers in the 1870s between Lismore and Murwillumbah. The journey required an overnight camp hence the name “Nightcap.” With pack horses, the mailman took three days to travel the muddy track. Today, the mountain can easily be identified by the television transmitting tower on its summit.
Mt Nardi was named in memory of Terania Shire Councillor Angelo Nardi (born in 1899) for his services to the community of Nimbin. He was a descendant of the pioneer farming settlers of New Italy – now a historic rest stop on the Pacific Highway. Pholis Gap received its name in memory of Athol Pholis, a timber worker, who was killed on the track by a falling tree.
We were disappointed to find the access road leading to the commencement of the Nightcap track at Mt Nardi closed for repair. However, we made a booking at Rummary Park campground where we could access part of this historic track from the south-east end. We were delighted to find another upgraded National Park camping ground. And, once again we had the camping area to ourselves. We expect the low temperatures kept away all except us hardy campers.
CECIL C.JONES CABIN
A cabin in the campground commemorates Cecil C. Jones who was a forest foreman in the Whian Whian Conservation Area. He lived there in the red mahogany cabin with his wife and four young children. It is the last remaining cabin of the ones constructed during late 1940 and early 1941 by the Forestry Commission in this forest setting, then named Boggy Creek camp. A cottage was also constructed for visiting for VIPs, especially the Forester in Charge of the Whian Whian area – Tom Rummery. The campground is named after him. Tom and Cecil planted a big kauri pine which can still be seen there today. When Cecil died in 1993, the Forestry Commission installed a memorial plaque with the words, “the bush has friends to meet him and their kindly voices greet him.”
Our hike the next morning was a grade three, six-kilometre return hike to Peates Mountain. It went through forest which is regenerating after recent bushfires. It was a steep climb towards the summit. Disappointedly the tall eucalypts at the top blocked what could be a spectacular view to the coast. We enjoyed a packed lunch before hiking back to camp along the historic Nightcap track. Unfortunately, the Boggy Creek walk from Rummery Park to Minyon Falls was also closed for maintenance. However, before moving on the next morning, we explored the Blue Fig Track for a couple of kilometres. We relaxed by a pretty cascade and watched a pair of Rufous Scrub-Birds fossicking in the dense eucalypt forest.
BORDER RANGES NATIONAL PARK
Our journey continued via Kyogle and Wiangaree (the eastern access road was closed) to the Border Ranges National Park. The 44-kilometre gravel Tweed Range Scenic Drive travels along the elevated edge of the caldera of the Mount Warning volcano, affording stunning views from the lookouts. This dramatic escarpment is the rim of one of the largest calderas in the world. Sheep Station Creek campground, a large area also recently refurbished, was our campsite for a few days. It is well set up with large campsites for vans and tents. We enjoyed the numerous hikes in the area.
From the campground, we hiked through eucalypt and rainforest for 2 kilometres to lovely Brushbox Falls and Palm Forest. Following the line of an old logging and bullock trail across the creek, we came across a sandstone rockface where early loggers carved their names. Beginning in 1886 the Red Cedar was harvested from the plateau with bullock teams. The bullock wagons were unloaded on the hill and taken empty around the steep descent to Sheep Station Creek. The sandstone rockface was used as a reloading ramp. Logs were hauled to the Richmond River where they were floated downstream for shipment. We continued on for 4 kilometres, connecting up to The Rosewood Loop circuit in old-growth Rosewood and Flooded Gum trees.
BRINDLE CREEK WALK
Because the Brindle Creek Walk is 6km one way and not a loop, we decided to hike it in two sessions. We parked the car at the Brindle Creek picnic area. We followed the line of Brindle Creek through lush rainforest for a five-kilometre return hike to Evan’s Falls and pool. Swimming is not recommended in the creek as it is also a habitat for endangered frogs. It was a pleasant spot to enjoy our lunch. Before returning to Sheep Station Creek campground, we drove further on to The Pinnacle Lookout. The short walk to the viewing platform revealed a view 1000 meters below into the Tweed Valley and across to the rugged volcanic core of Mt. Warning. It is stunning!
On our final morning, after morning tea in the Antarctic Beech picnic ground where we left our vehicle, we hiked 6 kilometres return. It was through huge hoop pines and large Antarctic beech trees to Selva Falls, again on the Brindle Creek walk. It was an uphill climb back to the picnic ground.
Back at Sheep Station Creek we hitched up the van to commence our homeward journey. We were reluctant to leave after spending a very enjoyable week of staying and hiking in these ranges. We decided this area has some of the best views and walks in New South Wales. But, the Gold Coast was calling us back!
The View Cafe: As Silver writers were exploring Hinze Dam, we came across the View Café. It’s tough work finding these hidden gems and eating a luxurious breakfast, but someone has to do it!
As we approached Hinze Dam, we saw the fabulous The Hinze Dam Visitor Centre. It is owned by Seqwater, and has educational displays and informative talks. These talks will resume once Covid goes back to the hell from whence it came. But as we discovered, this building also has a café and function centre in it! So off we went inside for a good reconnaissance mission.
The first thing you notice is the stunning view and exceptional architecture of the place. The vistas from the View Café across Hinze Dam make this destination one of the Hinterland’s most rewarding visits. This is the kind of place where bushwalker-types do proposals.
The food looks fit for an Instagram extravaganza. There’s muffins, coffee, omelettes, pancakes. There’s a kid-friendly menu, and a group buffet menu which looks absolutely delicious. The salads range from salt and pepper calamari through to Caesar salad and warm Thai chicken salad, with beer battered chips or sweet potato fries on the side. You can have all that with a chilled glass of wine or beer.
You have the choice to relax inside in aircon to the gorgeous dining room that juts out over the water (still with those views!). Or you can sit outside on the terrace overlooking the stunning scenery of the Nerang River. The captivating views stretch from the Numinbah Valley to the Pindari Hills.
THE VIEW CAFE: HISTORY
Twenty-three million years ago the area in front of the View Café was part of a massive volcano. In its prime, the crater rim stood two kilometres tall with lava flows sprawled across more than 7000 square kilometres. The ridge of rock is viewable from The View Café – a constant reminder of the region’s volcanic past. In the more distant view from the cafe lies the Lamington Plateau and Pages Pinnacle. Waterside Park is built on part of the quarry at Pelican Point which supplied the greywacke rock for the Hinze Dam wall. You can view the quarry to the right of the cafe.
From the cafe you can explore on wide safe paths. They are very accessible for people with disabilities, wheelchairs, walkers, plus they are a dream for parents with prams. These paths wind to the dam’s edge along manicured gardens. From the café, you can also take a scenic stroll along the peak of the dam wall. All this is a very easy walk, with amazing views.
TONY’S STORY
We cornered Tony, the owner of the café, who is 75, to get the info. He adores the spot. “We took control of the business in 2014 we thought it was the most beautiful location and that is something that would never change. It will always be beautiful. We did change one thing – the menu. We made it Australian and better suited to the area.
“My 56-year-old wife manages the front-of- house – she’s been doing that for many years and she’s very good at it! She Austrian, so she speaks four languages – French, German, Spanish and English! I look after the administration side of things. We love it and have no plans to retire! We have a wide range of customers, they come from everywhere, including the local area, of course. But they also come from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and from the Tweed area. People come from all around because it’s such a beautiful day trip. The weekends are super busy! During the week we get a lot of people who are in the stage of their life where they’re semi-retired or retired. They have a lot of time for fun! They come here to enjoy a beautiful day out and do the walk around the dam.
Car Clubs
We also have car clubs and motorcycle clubs, which make this their stop of the day. And we get older groups who are coming for a day trip, and we can cater for them in our function room. It’s the perfect place for them because of the wonderful access the flat pathways afford them. It’s really easy to get around here at the cafe, and in the visitor centre grounds and around the dam. There are no steps, and you can park right adjacent to the building. We have disabled toilets, so it is accessible for everyone. A lot of older people are very active however, and stop here for breakfast on the way to the wonderful walks in the Springbrook area, like Twin falls, Natural Bridge and Purling Brook Falls. They stop for breakfast, or they can grab some picnic items from here on their way.”
THE VIEW CAFE: MAKE A DAY OF IT
The View Cafe has a 4-star Trip Advisor rating and was awarded the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2020. They are rated #1 for Quick Bite in Advance Town. So grab your friends, or tell your events organiser to hire the bus! This day out is not to be missed.
There are bushwalks all around the Gold Coast. But, if you want something a little different, then head on up to the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, and make peace with your fear of heights! Nicole Buckler reports.
We lowlanders on the Gold Coast don’t get up to the Hinterlands enough. But we should, because it’s rainforesty and naturish and gorgeous. There are lovely locals who are all relaxed and talk about giant staghorns and ferns that are as big as an Arundel townhouse. And all that fresh air. We all need more of it, to cleanse away all of the sins our brain has gathered from watching too much Netflix.
For something different, try the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. The circuit is a 1.5km walk in total and takes it about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. It was built by the Moore family, after they spent four years researching and planning the tourist attraction. Also, as soon as you step onto the steel skywalk, you can feel just how much money was invested in the site.
The skywalk itself hovers at the tops of absolutely huge palm trees. I challenge you to show me taller palm trees than those that exist in this oasis. Colourful birds swoop past your head, so close they threaten to take your eyebrows with them.
viewing platform
This is a place to walk slowly, and take it all in. You have to spend a lot of time just being still, listening to the birds and waiting for nature to appear. This isn’t somewhere to powerwalk at full speed in your designer lycra, Karen. Just calm the hell down or you will miss the point of the exercise.
This walk is very easy and very accessible. Part of it is wheelchair friendly. All of it is unchallenging. With that, people of all abilities can crack on and do the circuit.
The pièce de résistance is the cantilever. This is a place that Instagram dreams are made of.
Of course, it is the journey that counts here. At every turn there is a giant strangler fig, a rare orchid, or a finger lime tree, with fruit waiting to be snatched. Or, there is a seat, positioned perfectly to take in butterflies, birds, platypus or whatever creature is trying to make their living in the beautiful rainforest surrounds.
The walk starts with an Eco gallery, and ends at Skywalk’s Birdwing Coffee Shop. Just have the cookie and the cappuccino, you know you want to! ■
The Skywalk is open 7 days from 9:30am with final walks at 4pm. The Skywalk closes at 5pm. Adults $19.50, Children $9.50, Family $44.00 (2 adults & 1 child), Extra Child $5.00 and Senior/Student Card Holders $16.50.
The Skywalk is located at 333 Geissmann Drive, North Tamborine
Enjoy one of Australia’s Great Drives from the Gold Coast to Binna Burra! There’s a new $35m road to the Gold Coast’s peak destination with amazing views across the Numinbah Valley to the ocean. The best time to visit is undoubtedly midweek to enjoy Binna Burra’s Teahouse and a selection of guided walks and activities.
Our Gold Coast hearts all collectively sank in September 2019 when bushfires engulfed the historic Binna Burra Lodge and its 42 cabins. But now, the new Binna Burra has risen from the ashes, and is open for business. You should see what they have done with the place! You are going to love it! The news images were heart-breaking. Despite incredibly heroic efforts by firefighters who battled the flames on the ground, alongside helicopters who bombed water down onto the site, the iconic getaway destination could not be saved by roaring flames that consumed a large part of the site. People around the world who had their fondest holiday memories from here all clutched at their hearts in shock. Nature can be a cruel and savage mistress.
Binna Burra Rainforest
But, nature is also endlessly beautiful, inspiring, and life-giving. Of course, Binna Burra would be rebuilt, because this secluded rainforest escape would not go down in history just because it lost a fight with a fire.
Now, we bring the happy news that the buildings that were damaged have been rebuilt, and they have thrown their doors open once again for the public. So, we urge our readers to go and take a look at the new Binna Burra, and support this special place. But also, we want you to go because you will have a totally awesome time.
Grooms Cottage
About Binna Burra
Binna Burra is famous for where it is in the world. It is special in the true sense of the word, and sits at 800 metres above sea level amidst the sub‑tropical rainforest of Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland. It is surrounded by ancient Antarctic Beech forest, along exposed escarpments and into heathland. There are fascinating birds and unique wildlife surrounding it, in a complex and diverse ecosystem. This is the stuff of life.
Lamington National Park’s earliest human inhabitants were the Yugambeh. The mountain that Binna Burra sits upon was known as ‘Woonoongoora.’ These peaks are sacred and spiritual, places to be nurtured and respected. And Binna Burra are doing a fine job of this. The Lodge at Binna Burra was the first Australian property to attain the internationally recognised Green Globe Certification for its best practice environmental performance. It was also listed in the top 10 Eco-Lodges and Green Hotels in the World. These are just two of many green awards it holds, and this is exactly why it is the escape you need… You can lose yourself in the achingly beautiful nature here for days. It is the real deal.
The drive to Binna Burra is better than it has ever been, thanks to road repairs after the bushfire. The reconstruction works of over $30 million were jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. And there is nothing like a new road to make the journey great!
ACCOMMODATION
Binna Burra is open for day guests and visitors. But sometimes, you just need a bit more time in such a beautiful place. There are two ways to stay at Binna Burra. The first is in the crazy-amazing Skylodges. Here, you have your choice of spacious one, two and three-bedroom ecofriendly apartments and studios. All of them feature captivating views across the Coomera and Numinbah Valleys. You can enjoy a bath with those crazy mountain vistas, or curl up in front of the cosy fireplace. Or, simply sit back and sink into the breathtaking panorama. The balconies have seating outside, so you don’t have to leave those vistas. You can just sit there all day, treating your eyes and your soul.
The other way to stay at Binna Burra is at the Rainforest Campsite. It is the perfect base for exploring the many bush walks of Lamington National Park. Campsite accommodation options include 2-man and 4-man man tent sites, unpowered and powered driveon sites and 2-, 4- and 6- bed permanent safari tents.
Safari tents accommodate from 2 to 6 people and are a comfortable way of camping without the hassle of putting up a tent. Here you are totally submersed in nature with all its soul-filling vibes and amazing sounds. There’s USB charging ports because you would die if you didn’t spend the whole day taking photos of these surroundings. There is a private verandah with rainforest or Numinbah Valley views, and the windows have screens. There’s also access to communal fire pits. You just have to BYO linen, blankets and pillows (or you can hire linen from reception if you don’t feel like washing when you get home!).
Safari Tents
ACTIVITIES
Binna Burra have partnered with locally operated adventure company ParkTours, who are specialists in outdoor activities. You can try to do all of the activities, or none of them. But they all look pretty cool, it would be hard to resist. The guides run activities seven days per week. But hop on to the website and book your place to be sure, as some activities can fill up quickly.
The crazy-amazing Skylodges
Guided Walks
If you feel you would enjoy a guided walk more than just winging it alone, then this is a great way to learn a lot of crazy-interesting things about Lamington National Park. Some of these walks are rated as the best in Australia by Australian Geographic and offer a range of different distances and attractions. Experience the wonders of the complex geology from volcanic activity, or the cool temperate rainforest pockets full of Antarctic Beech. Remember to keep your eyes skywards as you might just see a koala sitting sleepily in the branches. You will also hear the chatter of bowerbirds and catbirds as you walk.
For those that prefer the night, there is a guided nocturnal walk on offer, for when the forest comes alive. You may encounter marsupials like local pademelons, possums and gliders, alongside micro‑bats, owls and maybe even a spider or two.
There’s also a walk that shows you different bush foods and medicines of the forest. The guide will tell you how to find bush tucker of Yugambeh country. And they will fill you in on the medicinal properties of various plants and how you might grow some bush tucker at home.
You can even do a walk around Binna Burra and get the scoop on the history of the location. It ends in the newly-opened Binna Burra Gallery.
Self-Guided Bushwalking And Hiking
This is what Binna Burra is globally famous for. These walks sit at 800m-1100m above sea level, and send you to rainforest-covered mountains, breathtaking lookouts, tumbling waterfalls, caves and fern gullies. Lamington National Park has around 160km of Australia’s most diverse walking trails. Choose from a wide range of walks from easy strolls to challenging full-day hikes.
Archery
Everyone loves to shoot arrows. In fact, archery has been around for almost 15,000 years and was once critical to human survival. The guides will explain how to hold the bow and aim for the target. All you have to do is hit the bullseye!
Wellness
Say goodbye to stress and worry and opt for some wellness activities. Re-align your body, mind and spirit while connecting to the peaceful surrounds of Binna Burra. You can do activities like yoga, or mindful practices in nature on the mindful morning sessions. Be sure to check the website for availability!
Hinterland By Horseback
Horse riding is back at Binna Burra! Experience the wow in this part of the world. The Gorge Ride captures breathtaking views out to Mount Tamborine, Brisbane and beyond. Remember to book online before you set out!
DINING
There are two excellent options for feasting at Binna Burra. The Grooms Cottage ‘Bushwalkers Bar’ was always the heart of Binna Burra Lodge, being the original home of Arthur Groom who established Binna Burra Lodge (along with Romeo Lahey). It is now one of the last Heritage buildings left at Binna Burra. It has been opened up for the public to enjoy. This beautiful old heritage building has excellent sunset views which you can enjoy on the grass lawn. With delicious locally sourced tap beers and share boards for daytime grazing, you’ll love it. The communal campfire at Grooms Cottage is lit each afternoon for the ultimate sundowner experience that guests of Binna Burra have been enjoying for 86 years.
The newly renovated Binna Burra Tea House is now open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. It is just a short walk from the Sky Lodges. This place is famous for its food and wild landscape spectacles. The breathtaking views down the Numinbah Valley from the Tea House will have you amazed. You can enjoy mountain breezes while you get serenaded by cicadas. There is also a well-equipped shop with a small range of groceries, basic supplies, gift items and more.
Binna Burra loves to support local suppliers, and the menu here is no exception. Key ingredients come from sustainable businesses throughout the Scenic Rim. Menus and opening hours can be found on can be found on binnaburralodge.com.au.
Binna Burra are on all the usual social media platforms, so check it out before you book. But beware. Once you look at their pictures, you will get lost there for hours! Be strong, and carry on!
