Lush rainforests, ancient trees, spectacular views, extensive walking tracks, exceptional ecological importance and natural beauty make this World Heritage-listed park an outstanding place to visit.
Binna Burra, Lamington National Park, with beautiful waterfalls and more than 160 kilometres of walking trails, is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the world. Declared in 1915, Lamington was saved from the logging and farming that changed much of the McPherson Range. It protects Antarctic Beech, wildflowers and rare wildlife, such as the spotted-tailed quoll and Albert's lyrebird. There are two sections to Lamington: Binna Burra and Green Mountains. Both offer great bushwalking, birdwatching and camping opportunities. Stay at the Binna Burra resort or in the privately-run campground. Explore the 21.4 kilometre Border track, built in the late 1930s. From Bellbird lookout, see Turtle Rock, Egg Rock and Numinbah Valley, examples of natural erosion. Walk the Caves circuit for views of Coomera Valley. In the picnic area (wheelchair-accessible toilets), look for Richmond birdwing butterflies, orchids and king parrots.
Lamington National Park boasts extensive walking tracks along the McPherson Range, which allow visitors to explore the area's forests, creeks and waterfalls. Dramatic lookouts afford views over the Gold Coast, south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. Lamington is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which includes the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world. As the Border Track to Mount Bithongabel climbs 240 metres, observe the change from subtropical to temperate forest. Good examples of Antarctic Beech, a cool temperate species, are growing in the area around Mount Bithongabel. The view from Bithongabel Lookout allows one to trace Bernard O'Reilly's journey when searching for the lost Stinson in 1937, along the McPherson Range to the West as far as Mount Throakban. Continue past some large tree ferns on the left to Toolona Lookout where a view can be obtained of Mount Warning and Murwillumbah.
Green Mountains, in the hinterland of the Gold Coast and part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, features lush rainforests, ancient trees and spectacular views. This section of Lamington National Park is located on the western side of the Lamington Plateau. Densely-forested ranges and valleys conceal the area's ancient volcanic origins and dramatic lookouts afford views over the southern edge of the Scenic Rim, a chain of mountains stretching from the Gold Coast hinterland to Mount Mistake. Get away and be at one with nature as you camp at the park's Green Mountain camping area. Choose from the many half-day or full-day walks that explore the park's best attractions. In the picnic area, take photos of crimson rosellas. On the Python Rock track, listen for the masked mountain frog's popping call. Enjoy excellent views of Morans Falls and Morans Creek gorge on the Morans falls track. Spot leaf-tailed geckos on the West Canungra Creek track. Set out on a full day walk along the Border track or Mount Merino track for outstanding views. Look for the regent bowerbird, rufous scrub-bird and Antarctic beech tree, ancient species that have survived since prehistoric times.
Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves are located at Cedar Creek Estate. Come underground on a journey through the spectacular purpose built cave! The cave consist of two large chambers interlinked by tunnels. The first chamber is the 'presentation cave', where you will be shown an audiovisual display on glow-worms and the construction of the cave. This chamber is complete with very realistic formations (speleothems), such as stalagmites and stalactites, water features and flow stone. From this stunning cave, you will be guided through the magical 'glow-worm cave', filled with thousands of glowing glow-worms! The experience is one you have to see to believe! The Glow Worm Caves are open daily from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. and bookings are recommended for group tours.
This track in the Green Mountains section of World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park passes through a closed rainforest community into an open eucalypt forest to the lookout over Morans Falls, Castle Crag, Mount Throakban and the Lost World. The booyongs and figs near the West Cliff turn-off and the large New England Blackbutt are impressive.
O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk allows you to walk through a canopy of flowering and fruiting trees covered by vines whilst you explore the epiphytic orchids and ferns surrounded by the many birds and animals that inhabit the tree tops. The Tree Top Walk, was the first of its kind in Australia, is 180 metres in length and is made up of nine suspension bridges, with much of the walkway being 15 metres above the ground. Profiles depicting the rainforest flora close by have been placed along the walkway to assist visitors in identifying the plants in the immediate vicinity. Two observation decks have been constructed in a Strangler Fig above the walk way, the highest one being 30 metres (approximately 110 feet) above the ground. The Tree Top Walk is a unique and innovative structure that gives visitors what can only be described as an exhilarating experience - a chance to observe life in the rainforest canopy at close range for the first time in their lives. Free of charge and there is no age or height restrictions for this activity. However, parental guidance of young children during the climbing aspect of the activity is recommended.
The Tooloona Creek circuit combines the very best that Lamington National Park has to offer - scenic waterfalls, boulder-strewn creeks, tall rainforests, gnarled Antarctic beech trees and views over Byron Bay and the World-Heritage listed rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales. The track branches from the Box Forest circuit near Elabana Falls. From here, walk up beside Toolona Creek to a gorge and past its headwaters to emerge on the Border Track near Wanungara Lookout. See Chalahn and Tooloona Falls and a myriad of cascades along the way. Enjoy cameo views through the trees over the coast and border ranges before returning along the Border Track to Green Mountains.
Lamington National Park boasts extensive walking tracks along the McPherson Range, which allow visitors to explore the area's forests, creeks and waterfalls. Dramatic lookouts afford views over the Gold Coast, south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. Lamington is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which includes the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world. The West Canungra Creek Circuit track descends to "Yerralahla" (blue pool), passing by some large rainforest trees including red cedar, (Toona ciliata), and then follows the creek for most of its length, crossing it several times. The track exits via the Box Forest circuit. Fossilised ancestors of this species from over 20 million years ago have been found in the World Heritage listed Australian Fossil Mammal Sites in Riversleigh.
Situated on the banks of the Canungra Creek in the Gold Coast Hinterland, O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards is a boutique vineyard dedicated to the enjoyment of fine food and wine. Enjoy a glass of award-winning wine, a delicious meal or High Tea on the verandah of the historic Queenslander homestead or picnic by the creek under the shade of the Silky Oaks. Owned and operated by the O'Reilly family, the property features a grand ballroom, intimate dining rooms, sweeping verandahs and a cedar cellar door bar. O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards produce three wine ranges: Picnic, Platypus Play and O'Reilly's Generations Reserve Series. They have named their premium range after members of the O'Reilly family, which as pioneers of O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat in nearby Lamington National Park, are an icon in the area. Open seven days a week, guests are free to explore the property and creek, which is home to a family of platypus. The vineyard provides the perfect venue for casual picnic basket, social group outing, off-site function venue or a unique wedding venue.
Sarabah Estate Vineyard is a beautiful family-run winery nestled at the base of the famous Lamington National Park. Just 10 minutes from the township of Canungra it is an ideal location for weddings, corporate functions and social gatherings.
Picturesque and private, the Estate is the perfect setting for a country vineyard wedding, letting brides' imaginations run free with exceptional ceremony and reception locations. Offering a superb quality of service, the staff at Sarabah pride themselves in their flexibility and ability to cater specifically for the needs of those hosting an event on their grounds.
The Vineyard also welcomes visitors to join them on weekends for wine tastings, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea, all within the gorgeous setting of the Scenic Rim.
Tastings of the Estate wines can be accompanied by a choice of cheeses specifically selected for the perfect wine and cheese pairing. Alongside this the Bistro kitchen offers homemade light bites and tasty meals using fresh ingredients direct from their very own market garden. These can be enjoyed either inside the Chalet or outside in the Secret Garden, weather permitting.