Walking Tracks in Lamington National Park
Discover the best walking tracks in Lamington National Park at Binna Burra Lodge. This World Heritage-listed region offers breathtaking rainforest trails, panoramic views, and unique ecosystems within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. Whether you prefer short, half-day, or full-day walks, Lamington National Park has something for everyone.
Short Walks in Lamington National Park
Rainforest Circuit
For a quick introduction to the warm subtropical rainforest of Lamington, start at the Binna Burra trailhead and follow the Border Track for 500m. Then, turn right onto the Rainforest Circuit. Wander beneath the thick, green canopy and enjoy the calls of bowerbirds and catbirds. These birds belong to one of the oldest lineages of songbirds.
Tullawallal Circuit
Explore the Tullawallal Circuit to reach a unique patch of Antarctic beech, Nothofagus moorei, at the summit. This is the northernmost occurrence of this species in Australia. It serves as one of our last connections to the ancient forests of Gondwana. Once widespread across Australia, Nothofagus forests provided habitats for many animals that are now extinct.
Caves Track
Begin this walk from the park’s information centre. The trail winds through open forest where koalas are often spotted. It then continues into rainforest before emerging at the Saddle trailhead near the Binna Burra Lodge road entrance. Along the way, look out for White-throated Treecreepers, part of one of the oldest groups of songbirds.
Gwongoorool Track
Start your walk at the Lower Picnic Area trailhead. Descend around 200 steep rock steps to reach the Coomera River, passing volcanic ash cliffs along the way. At the valley floor, follow the Coomera River to reach Gwongoorool Pool. This river, like all waterways in Lamington, provides a habitat for hylid frogs, freshwater crayfish, eels, and eastern water dragons. Return along the same track.
Half Day Walks in Lamington National Park
Lower Bellbird Track
Enjoy spectacular views of Ships Stern, Turtle Rock, and ‘Kurraragin’ (Egg Rock) as you descend into Numinbah Valley. The track leads past Koolanbilba and Yangahla lookouts, showcasing stunning scenery. Follow the trail past cliff faces adorned with orchids and ferns. You’ll cross mountain streams and walk through dry rainforest dominated by hoop pine, a plant known for adapting to dry conditions across Australia. The path continues below Bellbird Lookout and reaches a clearing that was once a dairy farm. To complete the circuit, retrace your steps along the same track to the Saddle trailhead. This route avoids the bitumen road.
Dave’s Creek Circuit
Begin your journey by descending through Kurraragin Valley into Daves Creek country. Keep an eye out for Surprise Rock, a volcanic dyke made of hardy trachyte. Enjoy the magnificent views from Numinbah Lookout and take a break at the cool, shaded area of Picnic Creek. This circuit takes you through a variety of landscapes, including warm and cool subtropical rainforest along the Border Track. It also passes through warm temperate rainforest, featuring ancient angiosperms like coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) near Nixon Creek’s headwaters, and wet sclerophyll forest.
Full Day Walks in Lamington National Park
Coomera circuit
The Coomera Circuit begins 1.9km from the Binna Burra trailhead, branching off the Border Track. It leads through lush subtropical and warm temperate rainforests, as well as a giant brush box (Lophostemon confertus) forest. After 5.5km, you’ll reach the Coomera Falls lookout, where the Coomera River cascades dramatically over the Coomera and Yarrabilgong Falls into a 160m deep gorge.
Continue ascending along the edge of Coomera Gorge. The trail follows the Coomera River past several beautiful waterfalls and cascades. Keep an eye out for the Lamington spiny crayfish along the way. Multiple river crossings are required before the track rejoins the Border Track and leads back to the Binna Burra trailhead.
Warning: This circuit includes several river crossings, requiring you to step from rock to rock. It can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood. Avoid crossing during dangerous conditions.
Ships Stern circuit
Start the Ships Stern Circuit at the Saddle trailhead. Follow the Lower Bellbird circuit past Koolanbilba and Yangahla lookouts before branching onto the Ships Stern circuit track. The trail passes through piccabeen palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamii) forest and descends to Nixon Valley’s floor. Here, you’ll find red cedar (Toona ciliata) and majestic flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis) thriving.
Take the Lower Ballunjui Falls side track for an additional 1.2km return to the bottom of Ballunjui Falls. Continuing along the circuit, cross Nixon Creek and ascend through Hidden Valley past Charraboomba Rock. The trail climbs to the top of Ships Stern range and enters open eucalypt forest. This is one of the few areas in the park where you can see scribbly gum (Eucalyptus racemosa).
Enjoy impressive views from numerous lookouts along the circuit as it winds through rainforest and open forest. For those seeking extra adventure, take the Upper Ballunjui side track (an additional 2.6km return) to Guraigumai Rock and Upper Ballunjui Falls. Continue past Nagarigoon Falls to reach the junction with Daves Creek Circuit. Turning right will lead you along the Border Track to complete the circuit at the Saddle trailhead. Adding Daves Creek Circuit to your walk brings the total distance to 23km.
Illinbah circuit
Begin the Illinbah Circuit at the Lower Picnic Area trailhead. Follow the track steeply down along the Gwongoorool track, passing through both rainforest and open forest until you reach the Coomera River. On the river’s western side, you’ll find dry rainforest that provides habitat for the black-breasted button-quail, a member of an ancient order of birds.
Cross the swirling river waters by rock-hopping or wading through several crossings. These crossings follow the old ‘Cedar Road’, which timber-getters used in the early 1900s. After leaving the river, the circuit climbs the Beechmont Range and returns to Binna Burra.
Warning: During hot weather, it may be easier to walk this circuit in an anticlockwise direction. Always carry enough drinking water. River crossings can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood
Araucaria lookout track
Start this walk from the Binna Burra trailhead and follow the Border Track for 5.4km before turning onto the Araucaria Lookout Track. This 2.6km route leads past Orchid Bower Lookout and ends at Araucaria Lookout. The lookout is named after the hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) that grow here, which are visible from the viewing point.
These hoop pine communities are remnants of the Jurassic Age, dating back around 180 million years. Enjoy impressive views of the Springbrook plateau from both lookouts.
Wagawn track
The Wagawn Track branches off from the Araucaria Lookout Track, about 900m from the Border Track junction. Follow the trail uphill, often through misty clouds, to reach Garragoolba Lookout. From here, enjoy stunning views of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley, and ‘Wollumbin’ (Mount Warning).
Please avoid damaging or removing vegetation. Many of these plants are protected species and play a vital role in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Respect the environment as all plants are safeguarded by legislation.
Mount Hobwee circuit
The Mount Hobwee Circuit diverges from the Wagawn Track, approximately 2km past the Border Track junction. Ascend through rainforest rich with ferns, stream lilies, fungi, and epiphytes. The trail leads to the Antarctic beech-clad summit of Mount Hobwee, standing at 1164m.
As you explore, look for clusters of beech oranges, a unique fungus species found only on Antarctic beech trees in Australia and South America. The Nothofagus forest here, along with similar communities on Mount Merino, provides strong evidence of the Gondwana connection.
Experience the true essence of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area on this long-distance track.
Explore the heartland of this ancient landscape with a full-day hike connecting the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections of the park. The Border Track serves as the backbone of the Lamington walking track system, with most walks branching from it. It also forms part of the longer Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
Hike through warm and cool subtropical and temperate rainforests, lush gullies, valleys, crystal-clear streams, stunning waterfalls, and prominent ridge lines.
On clear days, enjoy spectacular views of the Limpinwood Valley, ‘Wollumbin’ (Mount Warning), and the Tweed Range. During winter, you may hear the loud ringing call of the Albert’s lyrebird.
A short, steep side track (600m return) leads to two lookouts—Beereenbano and Merino. These points offer impressive views over the Tweed and Limpinwood valleys. The track also passes through areas of forest damaged by a severe storm in 1983.
This park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. It’s renowned for its ongoing geological processes, evolutionary history, and rich biodiversity, including many rare, threatened, and endemic species.
Warning: There is no quicker way to walk this track from either trailhead. Stay on the Border Track. While other routes may seem shorter, they often end up being longer. Whichever end you begin at, start early and arrange for pickup at your destination or plan to stay overnight.
Book a one-way transfer from Binna Burra Lodge to the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park (O’Reilly’s). Transfers leave from 8am, allowing you to walk the 21.4km track back to Binna Burra at your own pace.