Itinerary
By Jarrod Meakins
When you need a reset and nature's calling, there's nothing quite like a camping trip. A few days off the grid, where kangaroos are your neighbours and evenings are spent around a fire, drinking under the stars and telling stories that range through levels of truthfulness.
If you’re looking for a short nature escape that blends the best of the outdoors with a little bit of convenience, this is the long-weekend itinerary for you.
From hiking to waterfalls and swimming holes, climbing one of Queensland’s highest mountains, or maybe pivoting from it all to cosy up in a rustic homestead by the fire with a bottle of red, this is the camping trip that you can scale to suit your needs.
Warrie Circuit, Springbrook National Park
The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area is 180 million years in the making, contains more frog, snake, bird and marsupial species than anywhere else in Australia, and covers four national parks in Queensland. On this itinerary you’re going to explore three of these parks, the first being Springbrook National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
For a walk with flora diversity and waterfalls upon waterfalls, head to the Canyon Lookout carpark to embark on the Warrie Circuit (17km return, 5 hours).
Best completed after a bit of rainfall, the track (named with the Aboriginal word 'Warrie', meaning 'rushing water') crosses several creeks, gullies, and waterfalls before hitting a half-way mark of the Meeting of the Waters. From here it’s a relatively steep climb back to the top of the canyon.
For a shorter walk, follow the signs for the Twin Falls Circuit (4km return, 2 hours) that departs from the same starting point as the Warrie Circuit.
There are two other great walks to add to your itinerary in Springbrook National Park. If you have time, try to do both. First, head slightly up the road to the Best of All Lookout. This short walk has a collection of Antarctic Beech Trees that are one of the last remaining links to the ancient forests of Gondwana.
The second is Purling Brook Falls, about 5 minutes’ drive back down the road. This 4km, 2-hour return walk heads down to the base of the stunning, 106 metre-drop waterfall. Read all about it here.
O'Reilly's campground
After a long day hiking, it’s time to head to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park to set up camp. Here, the Green Mountains camping area blends the best of camping and convenience - and puts you in the heart of the action for day two.
The tent sites start from $27 a night, have views across the Scenic Rim and Mount Barney National Park, a communal fire pit to share stories around and full use of the camp kitchen. If you’re after a tent-free option, the safari tents have the same great views with no assembly required, and if you don't feel like cooking you can have pizzas from the dining room (about 500 metres away) delivered to the camp kitchen.
Thanks to its position high on the plateau, O’Reilly’s is on average five to eight degrees cooler than the Gold Coast year round, making camping in summer very comfortable.
Morans Falls, Lamington National Park
Waking on the edge of Lamington National Park to the song of native birds and sun slowly lighting up the valley below, start your day tackling any one of the many walks that depart from O’Reilly’s.
For a nice mid-range walk, the Box Forest track (10.6km, five hours return) winds through Brush Box and Piccabeen Palms, crosses above Wajinya Falls, continues to Darragumai Falls and Picnic Rock (as the name suggests, this is a great lunch spot), before passing Box Log and Elabana Falls on the way home.
For a shorter walk, Morans Falls is a beautiful little hike, ideal for sunset, while the short but scenic Tree Top Walk at O’Reilly’s is a must-do for all visitors.
Mount Barney Lodge
Departing O’Reilly’s, your final destination, Mount Barney Lodge, is just under two hour’s drive away. On your way down the plateau, stop in the O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard to pick up a bottle or two of local wine.
Arriving at the lodge, it’s impossible to not feel the imposing force of Mount Barney looming overheard and the complete serenity the region offers.
The campground at Mount Barney Lodge has full creek frontage, a swimming hole, open campfires (please use the rings provided and obey signs) and a modern amenities block. Sites start from $20 per person, per night
For the non-campers, you can relax in the rustic cabins (from $180 per night) or stay in the grand Queenslander homesteads (from $390 per night). Wrapping verandas, antiques throughout the house, room for up to 15 people, and a fireplace to enjoy a glass that local wine you picked up earlier in the day – the homesteads are dripping in country charm.
Lower Portals, Mount Barney National Park
The best way to see, and truly understand every ridge line, peak, and hidden wonder of the Park is to join a guided tour with the Mount Barney Lodge crew.
Summitting Mount Barney is a challenge; at 1351m it is one of the most difficult and most rewarding climbs in south-east Queensland. There’s no better way to tackle it for the first time than having a guide to help lead the way, while interpreting the flora and fauna as you go.
Slightly easier walks (all can be guided too) include the Yellow Pinch Circuit, and Mt Maroon. Or embark on something completely different like rock climbing or abseiling. There is an adventure to be uncovered here for all travellers, including families.
The final stop for the weekend is a walk to Lower Portals (7.4km return, 2 hours), a refreshing swimming hole where you can simply relax those legs and soak up the best nature has to offer.
Please note the summit of Mount Barney should not be tackled in summer, and if you are going un-guided, ensure you’re completely prepared with plenty of water, food, and first aid. If it's too hot for the summit climb, simply spend your day relaxing at Lower Portals or around the Lodge.
Now that you have a taste for adventure, start planning more hikes through our ancient Gondwana landscapes.