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)

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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)

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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.

From poolside bites and tasting flights to seafood plates and dry-aged steaks, a foodie adventure on Hamilton Island is worth every bite.

Hamilton Island’s sun-lacquered shores have long magnetised travellers craving an escape from reality. But what’s less expected – and more interesting – is just how assuredly this Whitsundays idyll delivers on the culinary front. Dialling up the flavour as much as the barefoot allure, the Hamilton Island food scene offers world-class dining and drinking options, spanning slick fine-dining moments to just-caught seafood served within sight of the sea. Let’s dig in.

Catseye Pool Club

Framing the electric blues of Catseye Beach from The Sundays hotel, Catseye Pool Club is Hamilton Island’s latest culinary prodigy. Shown to our table, we thread through rattan chairs, Zellige tiles and tumbling greenery that opens up to Coral Sea shimmer.

The poolside restaurant is the brainchild of Sydney-based chef duo Josh and Julie Niland, who have brought their relaxed yet elevated dining ethos north. The menu – designed to bring people together – is made for sharing, each hero ingredient orbited by a palette of sides to mix, match and layer as you please.

My thyme cocktail – woody with scotch, lifted by lime leaf – pairs perfectly with the charcoal grilled prawns entree, which is served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Each forkful lands differently, but all are a delight. Then comes the coral trout. True to Josh Niland’s ‘scale-to-tail’ philosophy, the fish is presented whole in a theatrical crescent, a tiny fork stuck into its cheek in a nod to Niland’s declared prize cut. Ribbons of zucchini resembling gauzy curtains bring brightness and snap, while kasundi lends depth and warmth. It’s tongue-tantalising, special occasion dining with humanity.

Sails Restaurant

A more casual poolside dining scene awaits at nearby Sails Restaurant, where Eastern Mediterranean flavours are dished up with an island twist. Chermoula chicken skewers and barramundi souvlaki lie on the more filling side of the menu, while the sumac squid and stone-bread flatbread with za’atar – arriving alongside pomegranate molasses, beetroot hummus and crushed macadamias – are perfect light bites after a dip in the pool. And don’t miss the garlic lemon scallops.

The setting is equally part of the draw. Sunlight floods the high-ceilinged dining room, while outdoor tables look out across the glittering expanse of Catseye Beach. Holidaymakers in oversized sunglasses sip spritzes beneath umbrellas, the gentle clink of plates mixing with splashes from the adjacent pool. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger long after lunch.

Bommie

Tucked into a sleek curved wing of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie delivers experiential fine dining with a sense of occasion. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Ryan Locke, the seasonal menu champions local and native Australian ingredients whipped up into a modern display of creative precision.

Inside the dim-lit dining room, guests can choose between the Tasting Menu or Chef’s Signature Degustation. Sourdough with pine oil sets the tone for the six-course tasting menu, beautifully presented in a bed of pine needles alongside smoked paperbark butter. I love how the squid ink choux pastry is served with flavour-popping native finger lime, which our waiter encourages us to eat caviar-style. Standout moments continue with the wattle-seed-crusted venison elevated by red fruit and pickled beetroot swirls; the meat is perfectly pink in the middle and an homage to the island’s history as a deer farm.

Pebble Beach

Exclusive to qualia Resort guests for lunch and dinner, Pebble Beach is Hamilton Island’s most serene expression of seasonal island dining. Ocean-facing chairs dot a timber deck that spills straight onto the resort’s private beach, while crystalline turquoise waters stretch to meet distant islands – a scene far prettier than any postcard could capture.

The recently refreshed menu doubles down on seasonality and bright, layered flavours. While the more substantial T-bone steak with hazelnut honey carrots tempts, we go lighter: Coffin Bay oysters with Champagne foam and keffir lime dust kick us off splendidly, followed by Byron Bay burrata served with balsamic and caramelised figs. The fennel and orange salad topped with succulent grilled chicken is utterly delectable, but it’s the zingy, oh-so-fresh soft shell fish tacos that I can’t stop thinking about. It all goes down a treat with a glass of delicate Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne.

Beach Club Restaurant

A lunch or dinner table at Beach Club Restaurant is best booked in advance – and it’s easy to see why. Looking out over the hotel’s palm-fringed infinity pool, the restaurant spotlights elegant contemporary Australian cuisine with a stellar (also Aussie-leaning) wine list to match.

I am completely enamoured by the grilled Queensland prawns, which are brought to life with a smoked compound, local fried curry leaves and lime. Digging into the butter-soft lamb rump served atop pea ragout and parsley Paris mash feels like a warm, nostalgic hug. And dessert – vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with hot salted honey and apple gel – ends the night on a high note.

Expect warm and discreet service; our waiter Marco tells us that the tiny decorative starfish on our table are there to help the staff remember whether we prefer sparkling or still water, so they don’t need to bother us by asking multiple times.

Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher

There’s more to Hamilton Island’s foodie scene than restaurant reservations alone. For wine-curious travellers seeking something a little more immersive, Beach Club has recently introduced Talk & Taste – a tutored tasting hosted by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher. Held twice weekly for a maximum of eight guests, the experience explores Australian wine culture through four thoughtfully selected drops paired with native-inspired bites.

We opt for the white wine and seafood option. Alongside pours from Eden Valley and Launceston, a nibbling platter arrives featuring sashimi, salmon roe, Mooloolaba prawn ceviche and palate-cleansing ginger. The seafood is pristine and pared back, allowing the wines to take centre stage.

The real highlight, however, is discovering just how nuanced winemaking can be. Courtenay speaks of viticulture as both art and science: harvest grapes a week too late and ripeness tips into ruin; plant the same varietal on different elevations and the sun, slope and water flow will shape entirely different expressions. Pinot noir, she explains, with its delicate skin and high water content, yields lighter fruit-forward wines, while thicker-skinned shiraz delivers depth and structure. I leave feeling fascinated and inspired by Courtenay’s evident passion.

coca chu

Sweet and hot. Sour and salty. Dining at ever-popular coca chu is a sensation-swirling experience that’s not to be missed if you’re a sucker for punchy Southeast Asian flavours. Located at the Main Pool end of Catseye Beach, this lively hangout is all swaying lanterns, driftwood, high beamed ceilings and giant open windows that let in the balmy ocean breeze.

Drawing from hawker traditions, the grilled betel leaf is a neat, vibrant mouthful of chilli fried cashews and spiced beef. The tofu surprises – soft beneath a tumble of dill, mint and coriander, and glossed in moreish peanut sauce. The massaman curry is pure comfort: creamy, fragrant, fall-apart meat. It’s generous and expressive cooking that I, for one, cannot get enough of.

Marina Cafe

Sometimes, all you crave on holidays is a bacon and egg roll done properly and a creamy fruit smoothie. Boasting harbour views, an easygoing atmosphere and clean modern interiors, Marina Cafe is a popular local haunt for a reason. The casual menu lures families and couples alike with its all-day brekky, seasonal salads and sandwiches – from a roasted pumpkin bowl to prosciutto and rocket on herby focaccia.

The acai bowl, topped with toasted nuts and berries, is a refreshing start to my day. Whether you sit in or takeaway, it’s a good-vibes-guaranteed place to refuel before or after your Whitsundays adventures.

Discover your foodie getaway now at hamiltonisland.com.au.

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

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

Where is Lamington National Park?

Lamington National Park accommodation