How to do Lamington National Park on the Gold Coast

Wander here and you'll be exploring a landscape with geology dating back more than 225 million years. In fact, its age, beauty and flora and fauna landed Lamington National Park and its siblings (Springbrook, Mount Barney and Main Range) a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list as the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

But it’s not just really old trees - thriving here before even dinosaurs walked the earth - that make this national park stand out. It’s the views, the wildlife you'll find nowhere else, and the opportunities to explore, from densely forested mountains, raging waterfalls and walking tracks linking them all up.

The trails of Lamington National Park

If you’re a new-to-hiking traveller, consider Lamington National Park your crèche. Its rap sheet is impressive, but walking through the forest is where you'll really feel the magic of this place. The small moments spent here will make you appreciate its magnitude. 

But before you choose your trails, it's important to know that Lamington National Park is comprised of two main sections: Green Mountain and Binna Burra. Both are spectacular and offer a range of hikes of all distances, however there's about 60km - or 1 hour 20 minutes - of winding drive time between the sections, so keep this in mind for planning. 

Lamington National Park is home to over 160km of tracks, ranging from class 1-5 depending on your appetite for adventure.

For something fully paved, but not so short you’ll wonder why you bothered putting your walking shoes on, try the Centenary Track, which takes 30 minutes to complete. It leaves from the Green Mountains car park and connects with the Python Rock and the epic views at Morans Falls if you’re on a roll and want to go a little further.

To dial up the action, take the Box Forest Circuit, which starts from the Green Mountains day-use area, returning 10.9km later. Winding through the rainforest and passing several waterfalls, including famous Elabana Falls, you’ll need four hours up your sleeve for this.

More experienced hikers should tackle the Border Track which connects the two sections of the park, Binna Burra and Green Mountains, with trailheads in the respective day-use areas. It’s 21.4km one way, so you’ll want to have arranged someone to collect you at the other end.

If you want a backpacking adventure, the 54km Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk goes right through here. 

The flora and fauna of Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park is full of surprises when it comes to flora and fauna.

Did you know Lamington holds Australia’s largest remaining forests of ancient hoop pines? Head to the Araucaria Lookout to spot them in a cluster.

In terms of animals, it’s all about the birdlife up here, although you’re likely to hear the birds of this forest before you see them – animals up here have adapted to protect themselves. You might see a bowerbird with their dark, satiny feathers, but you’re likely to hear the calls of the whipbird who squark to one another (the male makes the ‘whip’ to the female’s ‘crack’).

Arguably the most famous face in the park is the Albert’s Lyrebird, who you’ll find dwelling on the ground of these subtropical rainforests. Consider yourself very lucky if you catch a rare glimpse. Even rarer, a sighting of a brush-tailed rock wallaby, now listed as a vulnerable species in Queensland and nationally. 

Best photo spots in Lamington National Park

No need to holster your point-and-shoot for a trip to Lamington National Park. This place is as photogenic as they come.

Looking for a path to a photo opportunity? Climb into the canopy at O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk for a whole new perspective, or take the 4.6km return walk from the trailhead on Lamington National Park Road to Morans Falls, a waterfall with the kind of framing photographers hike in the wee hours of the morning to capture at its best. Think cascading waterfall at the front, mountain ranges out the back.

If you’re into waterfalls, you’re in luck: Lamington National Park is flowing with 500 of them. For the main event, Chalahn Falls, prep your hiking boots and mental stamina. It’s a 17.4km muddy trek along the Toolona Creek Circuit. You won’t just get one waterfall but eight along the way, so leave ample time for photo opportunities.

The many lookouts dotted throughout the park are worth a visit: but once you get your snap, put your phone away and take a moment to breathe in the beauty.

Lamington National Park accommodation: where to stay

Ready for an adventure? You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to Lamington National Park accommodation. If you're keen to try camping, the Green Mountains campsite happens to be great for new-to-camping travellers with amenities and cafes close by. Binna Burra also offers a small campground - be sure to book well in advance. 

If your idea of a good time isn’t assembled on arrival, there are more luxurious accommodation in both sections of the park.

It’s hard to look past O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, with nearly 100 years of experience in dishing up eco-experiences for travellers. You can pitch a tent here, but you can also check into lodge rooms and sprawling tree-top villas - complete with your own private spa overlooking the mountain range. Equally, the peace and tranquillity found in one of Nightfall's luxury safari tents is something extra special. Nestled among 257 acres near the headwaters of Christmas Creek, roll up the side of your tent to reveal soaring cliffs and dense forest as you soak in your in-tent rolltop bath.

On the eastern side of the park you'll find Binna Burra Sky Lodges, perched in the subtropical rainforest 800m above sea level, self-contained Tiny Wild Houses perfect for a cosy couples escape, along with camping and safari tents nearby.

For absolute luxury less than 10-minutes drive from Binna Burra, check into Beechmont Estate to bookend your national park adventure with day spa indulgence and chef-hatted cuisine. 

From family-friendly lodging to romantic glamping escapes and wellness retreats, there's so many accommodation options throughout the Gold Coast Hinterland. 

Local tours to show you the way

Make the most of your time in Lamington National Park and have the locals show you around.

Southern Cross Tours will pick you up from your beachside Gold Coast accommodation for a day exploring the most stunning spots around the national park, including the treetop walk and a glass of sparkling. 

O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat offers a range of tours from their accommodation, including wildlife encounters, glow worm cave tours, segway safaris, nocturnal wildlife tours, and eco-ranger programs for the kids. 

For something more intrepid, set out on a group-guided six-day trek through the Gold Coast Hinterland with Auswalk Holidays. They do all the hard work for you - no need to carry a pack - so you can soak up the scenery, and end each day with three-course dinners and lodging. 

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