Where Ancient Rainforest Meets Vineyard Bliss
Looking for a day that blends lush rainforest walks, tree-top views, king parrots landing on your hands, and a little wine by the creek? The Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s & Vineyard Tour is one of those rare gems where nature and indulgence come together in perfect balance — and it sits just 90 minutes from the Gold Coast.
Lamington National Park is Queensland’s most significant national park — awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994 as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, covering 22,000 hectares of subtropical rainforest, ancient Antarctic Beech forest, and eucalypt country. From the breathtaking beauty of the Gold Coast hinterland to sipping award-winning wine at the vineyard that sits in the shadow of the park, this day trip delivers relaxation, adventure, and genuine connection with Country.
📍 Location
Lamington National Park, Gold Coast Hinterland, SE Queensland. O’Reilly’s Retreat at 3582 Lamington National Park Road, Canungra QLD 4275.
🕐 Duration
Full day tour. Pickup ~7:30–8:00am, return ~5:30–6:00pm. Self-drive: approximately 2hrs from Brisbane, 1.5hrs from Gold Coast.
🌿 Must-Do
Tree Top Walk · Bird feeding (king parrots + rosellas) · Guided rainforest walk · Wine tasting at Canungra Valley Vineyards · Kamarun Lookout views
🚌 Getting There
Via Canungra — type “Kidston Street, Canungra” in GPS, not “O’Reilly’s” — some apps direct to Binna Burra incorrectly. Then follow mountain signs to the Retreat.
🏠 The Story Behind O’Reilly’s — A Century of Family and Rainforest
In 1911, eight men of the O’Reilly family began farming in the McPherson Range, milking cattle and collecting timber. Four years later, in 1915, Lamington National Park was declared around their land — effectively isolating them. In 1926, making a virtue of their extraordinary position, the O’Reilly brothers opened their mountain home to tourists. The journey in those early years involved a train to Beaudesert, a horse-drawn coach to Kerry, and then packhorses up a precipitous mountain track cut by the O’Reillys themselves.
Three generations of O’Reilly family members have welcomed visitors ever since. The retreat gained its greatest fame on 19 February 1937, when a Stinson airliner crashed into the Lamington Ranges killing four of its seven passengers. It was Bernard O’Reilly who went looking for the aircraft, tracked it down through the wilderness, and personally rescued the survivors — one of the great stories of Australian courage and bushcraft. Today O’Reilly’s is a multi award-winning eco-retreat and the starting point for over 320km of walking tracks in the national park.
9 Reasons You’ll Love This Tour
Australia’s Most Iconic Rainforest
Lamington National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia — a UNESCO World Heritage Area recognised for its extraordinary biodiversity and its role as a living museum of evolutionary history. The park covers 22,000 hectares of subtropical rainforest, temperate Antarctic Beech forest, and dry eucalypt country. Ancient Brush Box trees in the park have been radiocarbon-dated at 1,500 years. Standing beneath them in the green cathedral of the forest is a genuinely humbling experience.
Discover O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Founded in 1926 by the O’Reilly family and now in its third generation, this historic mountain retreat offers one of Queensland’s most distinctive visitor experiences. No televisions in the rooms — bird calls replace phone calls and rainforest views replace screens. Join guided bird walks, wildlife encounters, Segway tours to Morans Falls, and unwind at the Lost World Day Spa with its 25-metre wet-edge infinity pool overlooking the western McPherson Ranges.
The Tree Top Walk is Next-Level
The first Tree Top Walk of its kind in Australia — 180 metres of suspended bridges up to 15 metres above the rainforest floor, with two observation platforms inside a Strangler Fig tree climbing to 24 and 30 metres above ground. From the top deck, the views across the surrounding mountain ranges are extraordinary. The walk crosses nine suspension bridges through the canopy, revealing 60 species of trees and 14 species of vines, as well as the birds, ferns, and orchids that inhabit the treetops. Admission is completely free.
Bird Encounters Like Nowhere Else
O’Reilly’s is justifiably famous for its wild bird feeding experiences. Australian king parrots, crimson rosellas, satin bowerbirds, and Wonga pigeons have become so comfortable with visitors that they will land directly on your hand or shoulder. The regent bowerbird — one of Australia’s most visually spectacular birds — is regularly spotted in the grounds, with males building elaborate display nests decorated entirely with blue objects. Lamington National Park has over 160 recorded bird species in total, including the rare Albert’s lyrebird.
Breathtaking Mountain Views & Rolling Valleys
The drive through the Gold Coast hinterland to Lamington — winding up through Canungra and the Sarabah Range — is itself part of the experience. Sweeping views of the Scenic Rim open up around every corner. At the Kamarun Lookout near O’Reilly’s, on a clear day you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean, with the Gold Coast skyline visible on the horizon beyond 50 kilometres of rainforest. It is a view that stops conversations.
Taste Award-Winning Wines at Canungra Valley
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards sits at the base of the mountain — a 15-acre multi award-winning vineyard in front of the historic Killowen homestead, built in 1858 and relocated to this site in 1989. The vines were planted in 1998 by over 150 locals, with the first harvest in March 2000. Creekside tastings, boutique wines, and the chance to encounter Mountview Alpaca Farm’s 50 resident alpacas make this the perfect, unhurried afternoon end to a day in the forest.
Gourmet Picnic or Café Lunch
Whether you choose to dine al fresco with a picnic hamper by the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards, or take a seat at O’Reilly’s Mountain Cafe with rainforest views from the verandah, the lunch options on this tour are genuinely excellent. The vineyard’s cellar door restaurant also serves light meals and platters designed to complement the wine. Dining surrounded by rainforest and mountains with a glass of Canungra Valley Verdelho is one of those moments that stays with you.
The Whole Day is Easy & Stress-Free
No need to plan, drive the winding mountain roads, navigate GPS errors, research opening times, or worry about the return journey. Cooee Tours picks you up, guides the entire experience with local knowledge, and handles every detail — so you can simply enjoy the views, the walks, the birds, the wine, and the company. A guided tour also means you hear the stories — about Bernard O’Reilly’s legendary 1937 rescue, the ecology of the Gondwana rainforest, and the 1,500-year-old Brush Box trees you’d otherwise walk past without realising.
The Perfect Mix of Adventure & Indulgence
Few day tours offer this kind of balance. Rainforest walking and Tree Top Walk in the morning. Bird feeding, lookout views, and the O’Reilly’s experience through midday. Creekside wine tasting and alpaca encounters in the afternoon. Whether you are craving fresh mountain air or a refined glass of Chambourcin, this tour delivers both in one smooth, scenic day — and it is accessible to all fitness levels, with the canopy walk and most activities requiring no special preparation or gear.
📅 Sample Day Itinerary
Pickup from Gold Coast or Brisbane hotel. Guided commentary begins en route — history of O’Reilly’s, Gondwana Rainforest ecology, and the Stinson rescue story.
Arrive O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Morning wildlife encounters — bird feeding with king parrots and crimson rosellas. Guided rainforest walk through the Booyong Walk to the Tree Top Walk entrance.
Tree Top Walk — 180m of suspension bridges, 15m above the forest floor. Two observation platforms in a Strangler Fig at 24m and 30m elevation. Allow 45–60 minutes. The walk is free of charge.
Kamarun Lookout — 300-degree views across the Scenic Rim and, on clear days, all the way to the Gold Coast skyline and Pacific Ocean. A short drive or guided walk from O’Reilly’s.
Lunch at O’Reilly’s Mountain Café (bookings advisable on weekends) or a vineyard-prepared picnic hamper by the creek at Canungra. Allow 1 hour.
Descend to O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards — guided cellar door tasting across the Verdelho, Chambourcin, and red wine range. Visit to the adjacent Mountview Alpaca Farm (50 alpacas). Allow 1.5 hours.
Optional stop in the township of Canungra — charming hinterland village with the historic Canungra Hotel and artisan shops. Depart for Gold Coast or Brisbane.
Return to Gold Coast or Brisbane. Arrive approximately 5:30–6:00pm depending on pickup location.
📌 Practical Tips
- GPS NavigationDo not type “O’Reilly’s” or “Lamington National Park” into most GPS apps — many route you towards Binna Burra instead. Enter “Kidston Street, Canungra” as your destination, then follow the road signs up the mountain to O’Reilly’s Retreat.
- FootwearComfortable closed-toe shoes with grip are essential for the rainforest walks. The suspension bridges and forest paths require stable footing. Open sandals are not recommended.
- What to BringWater, sunscreen, a light rain jacket (the mountain creates its own weather — morning mist and afternoon showers are common), camera, and a sense of wonder. The park provides an extraordinary natural experience even on overcast days.
- Bird FeedingThe guided bird feeding experience at O’Reilly’s is one of the most extraordinary wildlife interactions in Australia. Arrive early morning for the best activity — king parrots are most active between 7–10am.
- Booking AheadThe guided O’Reilly’s and Vineyard Tour can fill several weeks in advance during school holidays and long weekends. Book early — particularly for October and school holiday periods.
Book the Lamington NP, O’Reilly’s & Vineyard Tour
World Heritage rainforest, the Tree Top Walk, king parrots in your hands, and wine by the creek — one of Queensland’s most complete and beloved day experiences.
See Nature Tours Talk to Our Team →Frequently Asked Questions
Lamington National Park is approximately 2 hours from Brisbane and 1.5 hours from the Gold Coast by car. The route goes via Canungra — enter “Kidston Street, Canungra” as your GPS destination, as many apps incorrectly direct towards Binna Burra. Then follow the signs up the mountain road to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk is a free 180-metre walkway comprising 9 suspension bridges up to 15 metres above the forest floor, with two observation platforms inside a Strangler Fig tree reaching 24 and 30 metres. It was the first Tree Top Walk of its kind in Australia, now celebrating over 30 years. The walk begins via the Booyong Walk boardwalk, 300 metres from the O’Reilly’s Guesthouse, and is open daily at no charge.
O’Reilly’s is famous for its bird encounters. Australian king parrots, crimson rosellas, and satin bowerbirds come directly to visitors’ hands. The spectacular regent bowerbird — the male collects blue objects to decorate his elaborate display nest — is regularly spotted in the grounds. Wonga pigeons, Australian brush turkeys, and the rare Albert’s lyrebird are also frequently seen. Lamington National Park has over 160 recorded bird species.
The full-day guided tour includes transport from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, a guided rainforest walk in Lamington National Park, the Tree Top Walk (free admission), bird feeding at O’Reilly’s, Kamarun Lookout views, and wine tasting at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards with an optional alpaca farm visit. Lunch is available at O’Reilly’s Mountain Café or as a vineyard hamper — speak with Cooee Tours about inclusions for your booking.
Lamington National Park was first declared a national park in 1915, four years after the O’Reilly family began farming the McPherson Range. UNESCO World Heritage status was awarded in 1994 as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia listing, recognising the park’s extraordinary biodiversity and its role as a living museum of Australia’s evolutionary flora history. The park covers 22,000 hectares and contains over 160 bird species, 500+ waterfalls, and 320km of walking tracks.