What can you expect from this walk?

Group tour (guided)

Highlights:

• 6 day itinerary
• Walk through lush untouched World heritage Gondwana rainforest, along the rim of an ancient eroded volcano
• A mysterious melting pot of fauna and flora including outstanding bird life like the striking regent bowerbird
• Hike the border track through pristine rainforests, rivers, waterfalls and birdlife
• Be pampered in luxury accommodations including O’Reillys & the Sky Lodges
• Massive antarctic beech trees towering overhead

Overview:
This Gold Coast Hinterland area is purported to be the largest area of protected subtropical rainforest in the world, with sizeable areas of warm temperate rainforest and nearly all of Australia’s remaining Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. This is an untouched environment , new plants are being found, classified and named even today. Massive strangler figs, ancient Antarctic beech, red cedar, rosewood and booyongs tower overhead whilst hundreds of different species of palms, vines, ferns and orchids flourish beneath.

We start the trail in the Lamington national park, a trail that traverses a landscape at least as old as the the dinosaurs, and links the World Heritage-listed Lamington and Springbrook plateaux. You will get up close to a 3000 year old tree. These ancient Antarctic Beech trees (Nothofagus moorei) provide key evidence of Australia’s beginnings when it was connected to the Antarctic as part of the Gondwanaland super-continent. There is even a palm forest in the middle of this rainforest!

Couple enjoying the magic of the Rainforest

The terrain
More than 160 species of sub-tropical birds will keep everyone engrossed. Many of them are easy to see and unafraid of people. The striking black and yellow regent bower bird is always a favourite. Red-necked pademelons, possums and sugar gliders are commonly seen around the lodges in the evenings.

The walking is mesmerising up here, with peaks reaching over 1100m and the steep untracked southern edge forms an impressive natural border with the state of NSW. Highlights include doing the Treetops walk and climbing the huge strangler fig tower. Of course exposed walks are all optional!

Water formed this landscape and its’ effect is everywhere. We have selected tracks through this unspoilt rainforest which pass numerous cascading streams and towering waterfalls. You will criss-cross many creeks and many waterfalls provide delightful lunch spots.

With two guides to look after you, there will be the opportunity to shorten some of the walking days for those who wish. Importantly we spend less time on a bus and more time walking (or relaxing) due to the proximity of the parks to the Gold Coast.

The accommodations on this trip are world class. The views from both the Sky Lodges and O’Reillys make an amazing parenthesis to each days walking. The lodgings make up an essential part of this incomparable journey one that we ensure will leave you feeling inspired and enthralled all at once.

Location
This holiday starts in Coolangatta, which is on the Gold Coast, about one hour south of Brisbane. There are regular flights from major cities.

Grading

The walking near O’Reilly’s and Binna Burra is mostly easy on well graded tracks. This trip operates with two guides so we can offer easier and harder walk options along the way.

Accommodation

We will stay in both ecolodges and the luxury 5 star Sky Lodge.

Breathtaking valley views from Sky Lodge rooms

What’s included

Two guides, 5 nights accommodation, all meals (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners), all transport from Coolangatta airport, National Park fees, insulated lunch bag, maps & map case, info pack, memento DVD containing photos of your trip.

What’s not included

Alcohol, meals not listed in itinerary, drinks with meals (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

The best time to go

We like the winter months as there is low humidity and the temperature is usually very pleasant for walking.

Regional food and wine

Noted for homely country style meals, washed down with local wines from Canungra valley.

The itinerary

Day 1 - Start this hiking vacation at the Gold Coast airport (Coolangatta) at 10am. Travel to Binna Burra stopping in Springbrook National Park along the way. Enjoy a delightful circuit walk followed by a visit to Purlingbrook Falls.

Accommodation: Binna Burra

Purling Brook falls

Day 2 - A full day circuit walk from Binna Burra on the Coomera Circuit. This is one of the prettiest walks in the park. It criss-crosses rainforest creeks for much of the day, passing many waterfalls. If you don’t want to go all the way you can go to Coomera Falls Lookout then retrace your route and enjoy some relaxation at this charming eco lodge.

Accommodation: Binna Burra

Pretty rainforest river

Day 3 - A full day circuit walk from Binna Burra on the Daves Creek Circuit. This takes you to the remote eastern escarpment for great views into the Numinbah Valley. There’s also an excellent optional side trip to spectacular Upper Ballanjui Falls.

Accommodation: Binna Burra

Lamington Coomera river

Day 4 - Full day Lamington Traverse. Walk across the rainforest plateau on the Border Track to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat – at 25km it’s a long way but the route is almost flat and the going is easy. The track emerges from the subtropical rainforest at several panoramic escarpment lookouts along the way.

Accommodation: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Typical room at O'Reillys

Day 5 - The morning walk is an excellent introduction to the unique flora and fauna of the area. Hug the “Wishing Tree” and walk to stunning Moran Falls. After lunch at the café, the afternoon walk criss-crosses pretty Canungra Creek.

Walk through lush sub-tropical rainforest with impressive stands of brush box and piccabeen palms. Climb the giant fig tree and explore the different levels of the rainforest on the Tree Tops Walk. Finish the day with a soak in the heated outdoor spa pool.

Accommodation: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

View from O'Reillys to the Border Ranges

Day 6 - After breakfast we will enjoy a bird walk guided by a local expert before travelling back to the Gold Coast to arrive around 12.30pm.

Regent Bowerbird

For more information please contact our Travel Specialists.
They can be reached at 604-736-7447 or click above for “prices and schedule” to leave us an inquiry via the website.