Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk

Walk Overview

A 54 km walk that takes you from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the middle of Lamington National Park, across the Lamington plateau to Binna Burra, down into the Numinbah valley, then up to the plateau of Springbrook National Park.

The walk is 54 km in length.  It takes you deep into the Lamington and Springbrook National Parks, away from the popular paths. The walk can be covered in 3 days, but walkers often add 2 or 3 extra days to take in some of the excellent day walks in the vicinity of O’Reilly’s and Binna Burra and to enjoy the atmospheric lodge accommodation available in the area.

The walk can also be shortened to about 33 km and two days by staying on the Lamington plateau.

The star attraction of this walk is the rainforest. The areas that the walk passes through contain the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the world and nearly all of the world’s Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. The rainforest produces a stunning array of rare and exotic flora and fauna, as well as rushing streams and waterfalls.

The walk is also distinguished by the ancient volcanic landscape of the Tweed volcano. Sections of the walk trace the rim of the volcano, providing wonderful stretches of cliff top walking with exceptional views of the far flung ranges and even the distant coastline.

Further information:

• A five day itinerary is described below.

• For more information on walking in the Lamington National Park, click the button below.

Itinerary

The walk takes 5 days to complete. An itinerary completing the entire track is shown below.

Day 1

Arrival at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and day walks in the vicinity

Distance: Flexible

Time: As per length of day walk

Accommodation: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Camping available

Day 2

O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra

Distance: 21.4km

Time: 7 hours

Accommodation: Camping available or transfer to nearby lodgings

Day 3

Day Walk: Bellbird Lower Circuit from Binna Burra

Distance: 12km

Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Camping available or transfer to nearby lodgings

Walk Options

Guided

The walk can be done on a fully guided basis following an itinerary similar to that described above. The guided walk tour operators generally use accommodation at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and a eco-lodge on the Springbrook plateau. Currently, departure dates are not regular, although for groups of more than six, special departures can be organised.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a big part of the attraction of the Lamington National Park. It is a long-established and much-loved lodge located right in the Lamington National Park. O’Reilly’s offers rustic walkers’ lodgings as well as newly constructed, fully appointed and self contained villas. It also provides spectacular views and is steeped in history.

Assisted self-guided

An assisted self-guided option carrying day-packs only and following a similar itinerary to that described in the table above is available. It comprises five days and four nights. Included in the package are: accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, luggage transfers, transfers to and from the Gold Coast airport, National Park fees, insulated lunch bag, maps and info pack. 

Independent

Independent walkers have the choice of camping or accommodation.

If camping, there are campsites with good facilities at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Binna Burra and a “walkers’ camp” with basic facilities has been established by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at the bottom of the Springbrook plateau, “Woonoongoora walkers’ camp”.

If using accommodation, you will be able to utilise the much-loved O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat which is the source of valuable information for independent walkers.

If using accommodation (and following the west to east route), the day after Binna Burra needs to be considered. To get to accommodation that night, you need to get up to the Springbrook plateau. That makes for a long day unless it is shortened which is a possibility. The walk itinerary shown in the table above provides for the Bellbird Lower Circuit to be done on Day 3 which then means the walk on Day 4, if up to the Springbrook Plateau, is about 20 km.

Essential Information

Access

If doing the walk west to east, the starting point is at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat (the area is also known as Green Mountains). O’Reilly’s is about 2 hours drive from Brisbane and 1.5 hours from the Gold Coast. There is no public transport but private transfers can be organised.

If doing the walk east to west, the starting point is The Settlement camping area in Springbrook National Park. The Settlement is about 2 hours drive from Brisbane and 1 hour from the Gold Coast. There is no public transport but private transfers can be organised.

Park entry

While the walk passes through two national parks, no entry fees apply.

Best time

The best time to do the walk is from March to October. This period is outside the wet season (December - March).

Accommodation

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a long-established and much-loved lodge in the Lamington National Park. It offers rustic walkers’ lodgings as well as newly constructed, fully appointed and self contained villas. O’Reilly’s provides spectacular views, is steeped in history and is a big part of the attraction of Lamington National Park.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat offers a variety of accommodation: from basic small rooms to luxury one, two and three bedroom villas. There is no other accommodation in the vicinity of O’Reilly’s.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is attuned to walkers’ needs and offers amenities suited to walkers.

There is a reasonable amount of accommodation on the Springbrook plateau around the edge of the Springbrook National Park. However, for those doing the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk from west to east (who are usually looking for accommodation nearby to where the trail first reaches the Springbrook plateau), there are only a couple of options.

Camping

There are campsites with good facilities at O’Reilly’s (operated by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service) and a “walkers’ camp” with basic facilities has been established by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at the bottom of the Springbrook plateau, “Woonoongoora walkers’ camp”.

There is also a camping ground at The Settlement.

Camping permits must be obtained and fees apply.

Other activities

The Lamington and Springbrook National Parks offer many attractions in addition to the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, including hot air balloon rides and wineries. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat offers guests a wide range of nature and adventure activities, such as abseiling, flying fox and many more.