A Must-Read Lamington National Park Guide

Discover part of the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the world.

Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, Lamington National Park (Woonoongoora in the Yugambeh language) is known for its extensive walking tracks, spectacular views, and exceptional ecological importance, meaning a visit here absolutely needs to go on your to-do list.

Looking for your next outdoor escape? Here’s the ultimate guide to exploring this natural wonderland.

Where is Lamington National Park?

Located in South East Queensland, deep in the Gold Coast Hinterland and bordered by two country towns Canungra and Beechmont, Lamington National Park covers 21,176 hectares.

From the Green Mountains on the western side to the Binna Burra section on the east, the park is filled with subtropical and temperate rainforests, ancient trees, dramatic lookouts, and spellbinding waterfalls to explore.

Lamington National Park accommodation

Maximise your time in Lamington National Park with a stay at multi-award-winning O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the Green Mountains section. Proudly operated by passionate third-generation O’Reilly family members (it’s been open for almost 100 years!), guests can choose between serviced accommodation at the retreat, or one of the 48 self-contained villas perched on the sloping hillside. On-site facilities include the 25-metre infinity lap pool, the Rainforest Bar, and the Lost World Day Spa.

O'Reileys Rainforest Retreat Pool — Get lost in the breathtaking scenery while doing some laps at O’Reileys. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Alternatively, head to the hinterland haven of Binna Burra Lodge in the Binna Burra section positioned 800 metres above sea level amongst the trees. For a secluded experience, check out the Rainforest Campsite and Safari Tents, or for a taste of luxury with breathtaking views, head over to the Sky Lodges which come with a cosy fireplace and spa bath overlooking the mountains.

the view from binna burra lodge room — Check into Binna Burra Lodge. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Things to do in Lamington National Park

On a visit to Lamington National Park, there are many ways to deepen your connection to the rainforest.

1. Lamington National Park waterfalls

If you’re looking for that waterfall photo opportunity, you’re in luck as this national park has over 500 with many of them accessible by marked bushwalking tracks. The Morans Falls track through the subtropical rainforest leads you to the stunning Morans Falls tumbling 80 metres into Morans Creek gorge.

Elabana Falls is another iconic waterfall in Lamington National Park, and if you’re up for a challenge, Chalahn Falls along the Toolona Creek Circuit is worth the muddy trek.

Walk to Elabana Falls for stunning scenery. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

2. Lamington National Park Tree Top Walk

Or, bringing you back to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat — thirty years ago, owner Peter O’Reilly realised his dream of creating Australia’s first tree top walk, where visitors could venture 15 metres above the forest floor to observe rainforest flowers, fruits, and birdlife.

Today, you can still explore the rainforest canopy from this free, 180-metre-long Tree Top Walk which is part of an easy 800-metre return walk from O’Reilly’s. And, if you really want to test your nerve, climb an additional 15 metres from the elevated walkway to an observatory platform, where the views are even more sublime.

These activities are just the tip of the iceberg though. Keep reading for recommended bushwalks, guided tours, and wildlife experiences.

a woman passing through O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk, Lamington National Park

Navigate the elevated forest walkway at O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lamington National Park walks and hikes

If you’re itching to stretch your legs in the wild, Lamington National Park has over 160 kilometres of walking trails to discover, ranging from grade 1-5 depending on your fitness level.

To keep it simple, the 1.8-kilometre Centenary Track return leaves from the Green Mountains car park and connects with the Python Rock Track — or if you want to keep going, follow onto the Morans Falls Track. Or there’s the five-kilometre return Tullawallal Circuit, which departs from Binna Burra and leads to a 2000 – 5000-year-old patch of beech forest. Surrounded and cradled by ancient natural energy, you may find this a profoundly peaceful place to rest and reflect.

O'Reileys Rainforest Retreat View of Lamington National Park — There’s a whole lot of nature to explore in Lamington National Park. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

For a half-day hike, take on the 10.9 kilometre Box Forest Circuit , or if you’re ready to commit an entire day, the 21.4 kilometre Border Track (which connects the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections of the park) is the hike for you. O’Reilly’s operates a Saturday shuttle to Binna Burra; from here, you can walk the entire Border Track back to your accommodation, climbing towards the McPherson Range’s misty, temperate rainforests and passing multiple overlooks en route.

Want to take on the ultimate backpacking adventure? The 54-kilometre Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk takes three days to complete and links Lamington National Park to Springbrook National Park via the scenic Numinbah Valley where you can walk through the ancient volcanic landscape of the Tweed Volcano.

a guy riding an electric scooter at Lamington National Park — Explore the park on an electric scooter. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Birdwatching and wildlife in Lamington National Park

As you wander the park’s trails, listen for the 230 species of birds that live there: for example, kookaburras, eastern whip birds, catbirds, and the seldom-seen, ground-dwelling Albert’s lyrebird, which mimics several calls, including whip birds, bowerbirds, and rosellas.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a particularly enticing place for birdwatching. Join the retreat’s daily, early morning birdwatching walk (free for guests) and spot regent and satin bowerbirds, eastern yellow robins, blue fairy wrens, Wonga pigeons, and more. Later, purchase birdseed, which will probably inspire crimson rosellas and king parrots to perch on your head and shoulders as they await a snack. O’Reilly’s also hosts an annual bird week, where bird enthusiasts attend presentations and workshops and scout for as many species as possible.

Albert's lyrebird in queensland — Keep eyes and ears peeled for the iconic Albert’s lyrebird. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

At dusk, red-necked pademelons – small marsupials with a reddish neck and shoulders – forage in front of Grooms Cottage at Binna Burra Lodge , as well as in the grassy area behind O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat . Observing this adorable nocturnal species is a wonderful excuse for spending the night, and you’ll also likely spot them if you go for a short bushwalk in the late afternoon or early morning.

You may also be lucky enough to spot a platypus in Lamington National Park. These notoriously shy creatures try to keep a low profile as they weave their way through the waterway, so spotting them can be difficult but oh-so glorious if you do! One of the most popular locations to spot them is among a cluster of swimming holes dubbed Platypus Pools and Stairway Falls which forms part of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

pademelons in tasmania — Spot adorable pademelons. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Join a local tour of Lamington National Park

Explore the majestic beauty of Lamington National Park on a private tour with knowledgeable and experienced guides. Go back in time and get to know the area’s history, learn about the local flora and fauna, discover unique and ancient rock formations, or soak up the views of rainforest, waterfalls, and mountain lookouts.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Binna Burra Lodge (via Park Tours ) both run a variety of guided walks and tours throughout the week. There are so many to love but here are a few of our favourites:

1. Stinson Hike

In 1937, Stinson airliner VH-UHH crashed in the McPherson Ranges with two pilots and five passengers aboard. Although initial rescue efforts were focused elsewhere, 33-year-old Bernard O’Reilly, a dairy farmer who also worked at his family’s Green Mountains guesthouse, heeded local reports and set out on a solo search nine days after the crash. After a 30-kilometre journey on foot, he found the wreck and its two suffering survivors and quickly raced off to organise a rescue party.

Today, you can walk in this hero’s footsteps by signing up for one of O’Reilly’s guided Stinson walks . Both options are challenging: the 37-kilometre Bernard’s Footsteps route travels much of Bernard’s arduous course and requires a swift pace, while the 14-kilometre return Rescue Route, which begins and ends at Christmas Creek, entails a steep, 700-metre climb to the wreck.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Bernard’s journey and the rainforest’s unforgiving terrain. Keep in mind, though, that extensive bushwalking experience and a high level of fitness are essential – make sure to review the fitness requirements before signing up. View O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat events page to sign up for the next hike.

Sunset over McPherson Ranges — Hike through the McPherson Ranges. (Image: TETQ)

2. Billy Tea History Tour

Join a legendary O’Reilly’s guide for a relaxing 4WD tour to an incredible lookout point where they’ll prepare Billy Tea and Damper over the fire, sharing their enthusiasm and stories from the early years on the mountain. This unique adventure is fun for the whole family.

3. Coomera Falls Lookout

Rated as one of Australia’s best hikes by Australian Geographic, the Coomera Falls Lookout walk takes you through dense forests, and spectacular lookouts over waterfalls and gorges to name just a few stunning features.

an overhead shot of Coomera Falls Lookout — Witness Coomera Falls from above.

4. Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s & Vineyard Tour

This popular guided tour with Southern Cross Tours provides you with all the best highlights packed beautifully into one fantastic day.

Visiting the Gondwana Rainforest, as well as O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Canungra Valley Vineyard, it’s a Lamington crash course including a canopy treetop walk, wild bird feeding, and more.

aerial view of Purling Brook Falls — See the Purling Brook Falls with Southern Cross Tours. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

How to get to Lamington National Park

Ready to make your way? From the Gold Coast town of Broadbeach, allow 50 minutes to drive to the Green Mountains section, and 70 minutes to get to the Binna Burra section. Along the way, you’ll navigate a winding and sometimes narrow road which is suitable for 2WD vehicles.

There is no public transport to the park but you can jump aboard a shuttle bus taking you between the two sections. Alternatively, there are many commercial tour operators that conduct tours to Lamington National Park too such as Southern Cross Tours.

the fertile vineyards at Canungra Valley — Drive along the vineyards at Canungra Valley. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Feeling inspired? Here are more stunning hikes on the Gold Coast for all fitness levels.

The unique tranquillity of Japanese bathing culture can now be experienced in a Queensland rainforest.

I’m the first official guest at SOL Elements , an elemental bathhouse located in Mt Tamborine, roughly 50 minutes inland from the Gold Coast beaches. The town is already a calm-inducing hinterland heaven as birdsong echoes over rolling hills and roadside avocado shacks pop up around many corners. But with the arrival of SOL Elements, Mt Tamborine evolves into a wellness destination. Let me take you through the experience.

The new bathhouse is set in the calming hinterland. (Image: Timothy Birch)

First impressions

The exterior of the new SOL Elements Bathhouse in the Gold Coast hinterland — The setting delivers maximum serenity. (Image: Timothy Birch)

Given the jaw-dropping rendered photography released by the team in January 2025, I wondered if SOL Elements could meet the hype. Additionally, the location is at the end of a large car park at Tamborine Mountain Glades’ Thunderbird Park, an iconic kid-friendly hinterland attraction, so I was curious as to how they’d bring the Zen.

Surprisingly, no shrieking children are heard as I approach one architecturally magnificent facade. Positioned off a small lake dubbed Lotus Lake, swimming with turtles and ducks, it features thin timber boards that gradually fan out via meticulous three-millimetre increments. More than 2000 metres of hand-charred wood, burnt personally by Russ Raven, who founded SOL Elements with his wife Shae Raven, make up the entrance and much of the interior walls, channelling the ancient Japanese art of wood preservation, Yakisugi. It’s an aesthetic that pops amid bushland without ever jarring. It’s dramatic yet graceful, bold yet grounded – a lot like what’s going on inside, really…

Communal bathhouse

Positioned to take in the entire breadth of that fairytale lake, three small outdoor thermal mineral pools are the cornerstone of SOL Elements’ communal bathhouse, which caters to just 30 people at a time. While the warm pools bubble at a toasty 38 degrees, the cold plunge drops to an icy 12 degrees.

There are two ways to soak up some hot and cold therapy. The first starts inside SOL’s Cedar Wood Sauna, fitted with bench seating and extensive windows that let in more Lotus Lake views, before I go 90 full seconds in the cold (I’m aiming for two minutes, but it’s still winter). The sauna is small, and I’m grateful to be in there alone, but six or so people could fit in here comfortably.

Sit around the sunken fire pit at SOL Elements Bathhouse — Sit around the sunken fire pit. (Image: Timothy Birch)

The second way to hop between hot and cold is via the showstopping submerged outdoor fire pit. I take a seat on its curved bench seating and watch the flames flicker against my serene view. Sitting in wet cozzies, I feel reinvigorated, ready to dip in and out all over again.

Then there’s the communal Earth Lab, a mind-blowing alchemy station. Before I hit the showers, I’m invited to spoon out two ingredients from a bar filled with salts, flowers and powders. Utterly delighted to personalise my sensory journey, I go for the ground coffee and hibiscus flower petals before pumping body wash into my palm and creating an exfoliating polish. It’s hard to ignore the likes of raw brown sugar, chamomile flowers, rose petals and spirulina powder (there are 10 options in total), but my blend is straight-up delicious.

the Earth Lab, SOL Elements — The Earth Lab features an alchemy station for guests to create a personalised sensory journey that suits their mood. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

Himalayan Salt Sanctuary

There’s one other communal element at SOL: the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, featuring a gasp-worthy design (and gasps are welcomed, given the respiratory benefits salt therapy is famed for).

Built with illuminated salt bricks that morph between sunrise shades, pale pink and clear white, the room radiates as I breathe in negative ionised air. Bench seating wraps the entire space while three stunning pendant lights glisten, dialling up the drama. It feels as though I’m sitting inside a lantern, all while my lungs are high-fiving me as I attempt further breathwork.

Floatation caves

For the ultimate sensory deprivation experience, two Floatation Caves are calling. Located right next to the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, the rooms open to beautiful all-black stone fit-outs. Magnesium salt water is heated to complement your unique body temperature. Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt are expertly utilised to create the most extensively filtered water in Queensland. This is magnesium magic on steroids.

Once the doors shut, it’s completely dark. I float blissfully unaware of my surroundings; waterproof headphones ensure total immersion.

Secluded Suites

an outdoor mineral plunge at SOL Elements — The onsite accommodation features a heated private mineral plunge. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

I step up my SOL Elements visit by booking one of its two Secluded Suites, and the experience is end-to-end luxurious. Facility-wise, the suite (which caters for groups of up to five) gives me my own infrared sauna, single-person cold plunge, shower, private Earth lab with four ingredients, mini-bar with mocktails, tea station and clay mask, all while floor-to-ceiling glass windows throw up more of those soothing views.

The cherry on top? An outdoor private warm mineral plunge right by the lake. I sip on an organic, caffeine-free lemon myrtle and ginger root tea as the afternoon slips by. But before I go, there’s one more unmissable element to indulge in.

Massages and treatments

Inside the treatment rooms at SOL Elements Bathhouse — Up the ante with a rejuvenating massage at one of the two onsite treatment rooms. (Image: Timothy Birch)

I dress in a plush black waffle robe and stroll a couple of doors down to one of SOL Element’s two treatment rooms. I’m booked in for the Earthing Immersion as I love hot stone massages, and this features stones gathered with permission from Indigenous elders right around Australia. How special is that?

For so many reasons, but mainly the skills flexed by therapist Milena (who specialises in stretching), this is a massage like no other. I’m asked about my mood and lifestyle before Milena tells me she’s reading my energy. I’m not typically partial to energy readings, but I can’t deny that my limbs surrender under the hands of Milena, who uses Synthesis Organics’ essential oils that smell divine.

The stones differ in size and shape, heated and rolled across me like Café de Paris butter. 90 minutes later, I feel weightless as I return to my Secluded Suite to shower again and, begrudgingly, depart. I’m truly transformed into jelly. It took Shae and Russ four long years, but SOL Elements manages to live up to every expectation before soaring far beyond.

Details

Address: Cedar Creek Falls Rd and Tamborine Mountain Rd, Tamborine Mountain (within Tamborine Mountain Glades)

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm, Friday to Sunday, 8 am to 10 pm

Prices:

Communal Bathhouse: $95 for 90 minutes
Floatation Cave: $90 per person for 60 minutes (2 guests maximum)
Secluded Suite: From $360 for two people, for 90 minutes
Earthing Immersion: $300 for 90 minutes
Other massages, facials and treatments: View the spa menu

Accessibility: SOL Elements welcomes guests with access needs. The building features wide pathways, accessible for wheelchairs, throughout. A pool hoist can also be arranged if requested in advance.

Please note: All guests must be over 18.

Here’s how to explore the best of Lamington National Park