The Gold Coast hinterland’s great wilderness — the World Heritage Gondwana rainforest of the McPherson Range, reached via O’Reilly’s Green Mountains and Binna Burra, with the Tree Top Walk, the bird life, the Border Track and ancient Antarctic Beech forest.
Lamington National Park blankets the McPherson Range along the Queensland–New South Wales border in the Gold Coast hinterland — a vast, ancient rainforest that forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. It is the hinterland’s great wilderness: misty ridgelines, more than 500 waterfalls, and over 160 km of graded walking tracks through some of the most significant subtropical rainforest on earth.
There are two main gateways, each on its own winding mountain road. O’Reilly’s Green Mountains, reached via Canungra, is home to the famous Tree Top Walk (a series of rainforest canopy suspension bridges), the bird-feeding terrace where king parrots and crimson rosellas land on your hand, and the O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Binna Burra, reached via Beechmont, offers historic lodge accommodation and a clutch of superb shorter circuits.
Between them runs the legendary Border Track — about 21 km of ridgeline rainforest linking the two sections. Add the Box Forest Circuit to Elabana Falls, Morans Falls, the high Antarctic Beech forest and after-dark glow worms, and Lamington rewards everything from a gentle half-day to a serious multi-day hike. It is reached via Canungra in the Scenic Rim — allow 1.5 to 2 hours from the coast on slow, scenic roads. Cooee Tours runs hinterland day tours to O’Reilly’s.
From a canopy walk and hand-fed parrots to waterfall circuits and a ridgeline traverse — here’s what the park does best.
The park’s signature short experience at Green Mountains — a series of suspension bridges through the rainforest canopy, up to around 15 metres above the forest floor, with a tower climb for those who want to go higher. Easy, family-friendly and free, it’s the perfect introduction to the World Heritage forest.
One of the most-loved wildlife encounters in the hinterland. On the O’Reilly’s terrace, brilliantly coloured king parrots and crimson rosellas land on outstretched hands for seed (available on site). Lamington is a birdwatching mecca more broadly — look for the elusive Albert’s lyrebird and the regent bowerbird in the surrounding forest.
From Green Mountains, the Box Forest Circuit (around 11 km return) winds past a string of cascades to the postcard-perfect Elabana Falls, through giant strangler figs and crystal creeks. It’s the classic Lamington day walk — not difficult, but allow most of the day to savour it.
The park’s eastern gateway, reached via Beechmont. Binna Burra pairs historic lodge and tented accommodation with a set of outstanding shorter walks — the Senses Trail, the Lower Bellbird Circuit and the cliff-edge sections with views across the Coomera and Numinbah valleys. A quieter, more rugged counterpoint to O’Reilly’s.
The park’s legendary traverse — about 21 km of ridgeline rainforest linking Green Mountains and Binna Burra along the McPherson Range. It passes through magnificent forest and connects to most of the park’s side trails and waterfalls. Walk a section as a day trip, or the full track with a car shuffle or guided support.
High on the range, ancient Antarctic Beech trees (Nothofagus) — Gondwanan relicts that survive only in a few cool, misty refuges — cloak the upper trails near the border. After dark, glow worms light sheltered banks along several creeks. The cool, cloud-forest top of Lamington feels a world away from the coast below.
The park is a year-round wilderness, but the rainforest changes with the seasons — waterfalls roar after summer rain, and the high country is crisp and clear in winter.
Lamington is one of Australia’s premier birdwatching destinations all year — king parrots and rosellas at O’Reilly’s, plus the rare Albert’s lyrebird, regent and satin bowerbirds, and paradise riflebirds in the forest. Pademelons, brush turkeys and (after dark) gliders and pythons round out the cast. Dawn is the richest time.
Birdwatching meccaThe park’s 500-plus waterfalls — Elabana, Morans, Box Forest cascades — are at their thundering best after the summer and early-autumn rains, when the creeks run hard and the forest steams. The same wet brings leeches on the trails, so wear gaiters or long socks on damp walks.
Best Jan-AprWinter and spring bring cool, clear, stable weather that’s ideal for the longer tracks and the Border Track traverse, with the high Antarctic Beech country at its most atmospheric. Nights are genuinely cold on the range — pack warm layers, especially if you’re staying at O’Reilly’s or Binna Burra.
Best for hiking
Lamington is the Gold Coast hinterland’s wilderness heart — a World Heritage rainforest big enough to lose a week in, yet close enough for a day trip. The two gateways give you a choice of mood: O’Reilly’s for the Tree Top Walk and the parrots, Binna Burra for rugged cliff-edge circuits and quiet.
Canopy bridges, hand-fed parrots, waterfalls and misty ridgelines — the hinterland’s great forest in five frames.
The range runs much cooler than the coast and can be wet and misty any time. Waterfalls peak after summer rain; winter and spring give the clearest hiking weather.
Warm, green and humid, with afternoon storms and the waterfalls at full roar. Cooler than the coast but still warm. Leeches are out on wet trails — wear long socks or gaiters — and tracks can be slippery. The rainforest is at its lushest.
An excellent window — mild days, waterfalls still flowing from the summer rains, and comfortable walking on the longer circuits. Crowds thin after the school holidays. One of the best times to visit.
Crisp, clear and cold on the range, especially at night — pack warm layers and a beanie. The most reliable weather for the Border Track and the longer walks, and the high Antarctic Beech country is at its most atmospheric.
Mild, settled and quieter than the holiday peaks — superb for hiking, birdlife and the canopy walk. Wildflowers and active birds make spring a favourite for naturalists. Weekends remain the busiest time at both gateways.
Lamington National Park covers the McPherson Range along the Queensland-New South Wales border in the Gold Coast hinterland, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. It has two main access points: O'Reilly's Green Mountains, reached via Canungra, and Binna Burra, reached via Beechmont. Both are about 1.5 to 2 hours from the Gold Coast on winding mountain roads.
The Tree Top Walk at O'Reilly's Green Mountains is a series of suspension bridges that take you through the rainforest canopy, up to around 15 metres above the forest floor, with an optional observation tower for a higher view. It is short, easy, family-friendly and free, and is the most popular single experience in the park.
They are the park's two gateways, on separate roads. O'Reilly's Green Mountains (via Canungra) has the Tree Top Walk, the famous bird-feeding terrace and the O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, making it the easier, more family-oriented base. Binna Burra (via Beechmont) is quieter and more rugged, with historic lodge accommodation and excellent cliff-edge walking circuits. The Border Track links the two.
For a short walk, the Tree Top Walk at O'Reilly's; for a classic day walk, the Box Forest Circuit to Elabana Falls (around 11 km); at Binna Burra, the Senses Trail and Lower Bellbird Circuit. The Border Track, about 21 km of ridgeline rainforest, links the two sections for experienced hikers. The park has over 160 km of graded tracks in total.
Yes. Glow worms light sheltered creek banks in several parts of the park after dark, and both O'Reilly's and Binna Burra run or can advise on evening glow-worm and spotlighting walks. Lamington is also superb for nocturnal wildlife such as gliders and pademelons. Always join or follow guidance for night walks, as the rainforest tracks are dark and slippery.
A car is essential, as there is no public transport into the park. For O'Reilly's Green Mountains, drive via Canungra; for Binna Burra, via Beechmont - each about 1.5 to 2 hours from the Gold Coast on narrow, winding mountain roads. Drive carefully, especially in mist or rain. Cooee Tours runs hinterland day tours to O'Reilly's that handle the drive for you.
Very much so - it is the Gold Coast hinterland's most significant wilderness and a World Heritage Gondwana rainforest. Even a single day at O'Reilly's, combining the Tree Top Walk, the bird feeding and a waterfall walk, is one of the best nature experiences within reach of the Coast. Keen walkers and birdwatchers can easily fill several days across the two gateways.
Lamington sits at the southern edge of the Gold Coast hinterland, sharing the range with Springbrook and Tamborine Mountain, with the beaches of the southern coast a winding drive away.
The park is a winding mountain drive from the coast — or an easy guided day tour if you’d rather leave the roads to us.
For O’Reilly’s Green Mountains, drive via Canungra; for Binna Burra, via Beechmont. Each is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from the Gold Coast beaches on narrow, winding, sealed mountain roads. Drive slowly and carefully, particularly in mist, rain or after dark, and fuel up before you head up the range.
The easiest way to experience the park — Cooee Tours runs Gold Coast hinterland day tours to O’Reilly’s, taking in the Tree Top Walk, the bird feeding and a waterfall walk, with the long mountain drive handled for you.
There is no public transport into Lamington, so a car or an organised tour is essential. The gateway towns of Canungra and Beechmont have limited services; from the coast or Brisbane it is a hire car, a rideshare to the gateway, or a guided tour up the range.