Lamington Plateau Traverse

Walk Overview

The walk itinerary here includes the best of Lamington National Park and includes its iconic lodge, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. It involves one long day’s walk and day walks of any length from the one accommodation base.   

This itinerary incorporates the well-known track between O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and the Binna Burra area, as well as a classic circuit walk from each of O’Reilly’s and Binna Burra.  

The Day 2 walk is 21.4 km in length. The whole of the Day 2 walk is on the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.  It takes you deep into the Lamington National Park, away from the popular paths and is generally regarded as the best portion of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. Whilst a reasonable length, it is generally flat and so manageable by most reasonably fit walkers. 

The suggested Day 3 and Day 4 walks are our picks as the best day circuit walks from Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s respectively.

Further information:

• A four day itinerary is described below.

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

Itinerary

The walk takes 4 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: Transfer to various lodgings. Camping available

Day 3

Day Walk: Bellbird Lower Circuit from Binna Burra

Distance: 12km

Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Transfer to various lodgings. Camping available

Walk Options

Guided

No tour operator offers this itinerary on a guided basis. We can organise a guide for the longest day, being the full day walk between O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Binna Burra. Our guides know this route and the park well. Their knowledge adds an extra dimension to the walk experience, as well as confidence to those with less independent walking experience.

Assisted self-guided

No tour operator provides assistance for the entirety of this itinerary. We can provide assistance with transport to and from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, advice and bookings covering the accommodation options and information on the suggested walks.

Independent

Independent walkers have the choice of camping or accommodation.

If camping, there are campsites with good facilities nearby to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

If using accommodation, you will be able to utilise the long-established and much-loved lodge in the Lamington National Park - O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat. 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.

Essential Information

Access

The starting point for this itinerary is O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. O’Reilly’s is about 2 hours drive from Brisbane and 1.5 hours drive 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’Reillys Rainforest Retreat offers a variety of accommodation: from basic small rooms to luxury 1,2 and 3 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.

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Camping

There are campsites with good facilities at O’Reilly’s (operated by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service).

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.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.