Best Walking Tracks of Binna Burra, Lamington National Park

Summary

While very similar to the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, Binna Burra is less developed and has a more rustic atmosphere to it. Here, you’ll feel like you’re one with nature. Read this post for the best walking tracks in this region, how to get here, as well as accommodation and restaurant options.

Best Walking Tracks of Binna Burra, Lamington National Park

 

If you’re reading this page, chances are you’re considering a trip to the Binna Burra section of the Lamington National Park. While very similar to the Green Mountains section, Binna Burra is less developed and has a more rustic atmosphere to it. Here, you’ll feel like you’re one with nature. Also, it’s not as tourist-oriented as Green Mountains so expect to have most of the walking tracks to yourself. Read this post for the best walking tracks in this region, how to get here, as well as accommodation and restaurant options.

 

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Where is Binna Burra Located?

Binna Burra is located within Lamington National Park, part of the Gold Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. In terms of distance, it is 102 km south of Brisbane and 44 km southwest of Broadbeach in the Gold Coast.

 

Binna Burra Map

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Best Binna Burra Walking Tracks

There are 16 walking tracks that can be accessed from the Binna Burra  section of Lamington National Park. While five of these are short walking tracks that can be completed in half a day, most of them are longer walking tracks that require a full day.

 

Key to Australian Tracks Standards

The classification system is based on Australian Standards. Please note that while each track is classified according to its most difficult section, other sections may be of an easier level.

Class 2

• Easy level track, suitable for all fitness levels—no previous bushwalking experience necessary.
• All junctions sign-posted and may include interpretive signs.

Class 3

• Distinct tracks with junctions sign-posted, rough track surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks.
• Variable in width; muddy sections, steep grades and steps may be encountered.
• May be partially overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls may be present.
• Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
• Reasonable level of fitness required and ankle-supporting footwear recommended.

Class 4

• Distinct tracks with junctions sign-posted, rough track surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks.
• Variable in width; muddy sections, steep grades and steps may be encountered.
• May be extensively overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls likely to be present.
• Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
• Moderate fitness level with previous experience and ankle-supporting footwear strongly recommended.

Class 5

• No signs or markers provided, except where necessary to reduce environmental damage. Trails may range from clearly visible footpads to indistinct, overgrown routes depending on levels of usage.
• Muddy sections, steep grades and numerous hazards such as fallen trees and rock falls highly likely to be encountered.
• No bridges, no fences on cliff edges or lookouts, high level of caution required.
• High level of fitness, ankle-supporting footwear, good navigational skills, extensive off-track walking experience, relevant topographic maps and compass essential.

 

 

Half-day Binna Burra Walks

 

1. Rainforest Circuit

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Great for: Introductory walk, exploring the warm subtropical rainforest section

Classification: 2

Distance: 1.2 km return

Time: 30 mins

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: No

 

The Rainforest circuit is a good introductory walk to Lamington National Park. As you begin, follow the Border Track for 500 m, then branch right on to the Rainforest circuit which showcases the ‘typical’ warm subtropical rainforest of Lamington. As you walk along the circuit, listen carefully for sounds of bowerbirds and catbirds which are commonly heard in this area. These are members of the oldest lineage of songbirds.

 

2. Bellbird Lookout Track

 

Great for: Views of gorges, valleys and hoop pines

Classification: 4

Distance: 2 km return

Time: 1 hr

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Bellbird Lookout track branches off the Ships Stern circuit and descends through rainforest and open forest before emerging suddenly at Bellbird lookout, a natural lookout (with no handrails) above a very high, sheer cliff.

From the lookout you get an excellent view of Ships Stern, Turtle Rock, Egg Rock (Kurraragin) and Numinbah Valley – all remnants of what millions of years of erosion, landslides and weathering have created.

Hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) can also be seen from the lookout, growing on the exposed northern slopes. Harvesting of hoop pine and red cedar (Toona ciliate) led to the initial European settlement and ultimately the clearing of Numinbah Valley for agriculture.

The land around this lookout and most of the track is not part of the national park; it belongs to Binna Burra Mountain Lodge.

Please keep children under close supervision and keep well away from the cliff edge.

 

3. Caves Circuit

 

Great for: Viewing rainforest tree species, bird and wildlife watching, views of the valley and Kweebani Cave

Classification: 4

Distance: 5 km return

Time: 1.5 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Caves circuit begins from the park’s information centre and winds up through open forest and rainforest to emerge on the road near the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge road entrance. Alternatively, begin this circuit from the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge road entrance and return via Binna Burra Road.

The circuit provides excellent views into the Coomera Valley and passes a large red cedar and fine specimens of other rainforest tree species. The major cliff line opposite the track is of a flow of rhyolite and deposits of boulders and ash (tuff) can be seen in the overhanging caves. Possibly the largest intact stand of hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) in Australia can be seen along the Darlington Range.

White-throated treecreepers, members of one of the oldest groups of songbirds, are frequently seen on this circuit. Koalas are often seen in open forest areas along the walk.

Caution: this circuit contains unstable surfaces. Rockfalls may occur on the track and in Kweebani Cave. For your safety, avoid lingering near the cave; move along the circuit and view the cave from a safe distance.

Also, take care when walking beside the bitumen road to return to the start of the circuit, especially on weekends when traffic is busy, or alternatively walk back along the circuit.

 

4. Tullawallal Circuit

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Great for: Visiting the cool temperate rainforest section, seeing Antarctic beech trees

Classification: 3

Distance: 5 km return

Time: 1.5 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: No

 

The Tullawallal circuit allows you to visit the most accessible cool temperate rainforest in Lamington and the closest patch of this forest type to Binna Burra. From the trailhead follow the Border Track for 1.9 km, then branch right at the track junction onto Tullawallal circuit and follow a short sidetrack to Tullawallal.

From here you get splendid views of a pocket of Antarctic beech (Nothofagus moorei) on the summit. This is the northernmost location of this species in Australia and is one of our remaining links with the ancient forests of Gondwana. Nothofagus forests were once widespread across Australia and provided a habitat for many animals that have long since disappeared from our landscape.

From Tullawallal, return to the track junction, turn right and continue along the Loop track back to Binna Burra car park.

 

5. Gwongoorool Track

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Great for: Viewing frogs, crayfish and eels in the Gwongoorool Pool on the Coomera River

Classification: 4

Distance: 6 km return

Time: 2 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: No

 

The Gwongoorool track starts at the car park near the park information centre and descends a series of steep rock steps (approximately 200 in total), past cliffs of volcanic ash (tuff), through open forest and rainforest to Gwongoorool Pool on the Coomera River. The river is an important habitat (as are all of Lamington’s streams) for hylid frogs (tree frog family), freshwater crayfish, eels and eastern water dragons. Eels inhabit the Coomera River. They bite when threatened and injuries have occurred.

Return on the same track.

 

 

Full-day Binna Burra Walks

 

6. Lower Bellbird Circuit

 

Great for: Viewing dry rainforest section

Classification: 4

Distance: 12 km return

Time: 4 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Daves Creek circuit branches off the Ships Stern circuit 3.7 km from the trailhead. The circuit passes through a patch of dry rainforest now widespread in Australia. Follow the circuit below Bellbird lookout and emerge at a clearing which was once a dairy farm.

Continue the return circuit by walking beside the Binna Burra Road. You can choose to return via the Caves circuit which adds 1.6 km to the walk.

This track forms part of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, arrow markers indicate the route. If you are walking the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk please ensure you have a copy of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Topographic Map.

 

7. Daves Creek Circuit

 

Great for: Seeing a variety of rainforests types and tree species

Classification: 4

Distance: 12 km return

Time: 4 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Daves Creek circuit allows you to see a fascinating variety of forest and heath.  Branch off the Border Track 2.3 km from the trailhead and descend through the head of Kurraragin Valley out into Daves Creek country. The circuit passes through several distinctive vegetation types: warm and cool subtropical rainforest along the Border Track; warm temperate rainforest, containing many examples of ancient angiosperms such as coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum), in Nixon Creek’s headwaters; and wet sclerophyll forest with giant New England ash (Eucalyptus campanulata), around the track intersection to the Ships Stern circuit.

 

8. Illinbah Circuit

 

Great for: Viewing parts of the Coomera River, bird-watching

Classification: 5

Distance: 16.6 km return

Time: 8 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: No

 

It is recommended to walk the Illinbah circuit clockwise. Start at the car park near the park information centre and descend through rainforest and open forest to the Coomera River. The dry rainforest on the river’s western side provides habitat for the black-breasted button-quail, a member of an ancient order of birds.

The circuit then follows the ‘Old Cedar Road’, once used by timber-getters in the early 1900s, crossing the Coomera River several times. The circuit then leaves the river and climbs the Beechmont Range to return to Binna Burra.

Note – In hot weather it may be less strenuous to walk this circuit in an anticlockwise direction.

Caution – The river crossings can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood.

 

9. Coomera Circuit

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Great for: Viewing giant brush box trees and Coomera gorge & waterfalls

Classification: 4

Distance: 17.4 km return

Time: 7 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: No

 

The scenic Coomera circuit leaves the Border Track 1.9 km from the trailhead and passes through subtropical and warm temperate rainforest communities, and giant brush box (Lophostemon confertus) forest. The circuit takes you to the Coomera Gorge which is 160 m deep. Views from the lookout platform, (5.5 km from the trailhead) provide dramatic evidence of the power of erosion, which has cut through a thick resistant rhyolite lava flow.

The circuit continues to ascend while following the edge of the Coomera Gorge. It crosses the river several times before rejoining the Border Track and returning to the Binna Burra car park.

Caution – The river crossings involve stepping from rock to rock, which can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood.

 

10. Araucaria Lookout Track

 

Great for: Viewing hoop pines

Classification: 4

Distance: 17.8 km return

Time: 7 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Araucaria lookout track leaves the Mount Hobwee circuit 900 m from the Border Track junction. The 2.6 km track passes Orchid Bower lookout and ends at Araucaria lookout, named after the hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii), which can be viewed from the lookout. These hoop pine communities are a living representative of the Jurassic Age (the age of the conifers) about 180 million years ago.

 

11. Wagawn Track

 

Great for: Views of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning

Classification: 4

Distance: 18 km return

Time: 8 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Wagawn track also branches off the Mount Hobwee circuit, 2 km from the Border Track junction. Garragoolba lookout features uninterrupted views of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning.

Only after naturally occurring events such as severe wildfires or storms are there uninterrupted views of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning from Wagawn. In the interim years the view may be interrupted by natural regrowth.

Please do not damage or remove vegetation as many of these plants are significant species in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

Return to the Binna Burra car park along the same track.

 

12. Mount Hobwee Circuit

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Great for: Climbing to the summit of Mt Hobwee

Classification: 4

Distance: 18.2 km return

Time: 8 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

After leaving the Border Track 5.4 km from Binna Burra, this circuit winds through rainforest to the summit of Mount Hobwee (1,163 m). Much of the forest near the summit was disturbed by a severe storm in 1983.

The Nothofagus forest and associated communities found here provide strong evidence of the Gondwana connection. The ‘beech orange’, a species of fungus, occurs only on Nothofagus which is found in Australia and South America.

The circuit rejoins the Border Track for the return to the Binna Burra car park.

 

13. Ships Stern Circuit

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Great for: Viewing several species of trees and Ballunjui Falls

Classification: 4

Distance: 21 km return

Time: 8 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Ships Stern circuit commences opposite the road entrance to Binna Burra Mountain Lodge. The circuit descends past the scenic Yangahla lookout and through a fine stand of piccabeen palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamii) to the valley floor. Red cedar (Toona ciliatae) and the majestic flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis) also thrive here. A short side track (an additional 600 m one way) can be followed to the bottom of Ballunjui Falls.

The circuit then crosses Nixon Creek and ascends through Hidden Valley past Charraboomba Rock to the top of Ships Stern range and into open eucalypt forest. This is one of the few places within the park where scribbly gum (Eucalyptus racemosa) can be seen.

The circuit continues through rainforest and open forest, with another side track (an additional 1.3 km one way) providing access to Upper Ballunjui.

Continue past Nagarigoon back to Binna Burra.

For the very energetic, Daves Creek circuit can be added to this walk, making it a total of 23 km.

 

 

Full-day Walks Accessible from both Binna Burra & Green Mountains

 

14. Mount Merino Track

 

Great for: Views of Mount Merino, Tweed and Limpinwood valleys

Classification: 4

Distance: 21.6 km return

Time: 8 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Mount Merino track passes through areas of forest damaged during a severe storm in 1983. A short sidetrack 10 km from Binna Burra leads to two lookouts; Beereenbano and Merino, with views over the Tweed and Limpinwood valleys. Chakoonya lookout is about halfway along the Border Track between Binna Burra and Green Mountains (O’Reilly).

 

15. Border Track

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Great for: Seeing several sections of Lamington National Park, views of Limpinwood Valley, Mount Warning and Tweed Range

Classification: 4

Distance: 21.4 km one way

Time: 7 hrs

Platform lookout: No

Natural lookout: Yes

 

The Border Track forms the backbone of the walking track system of Lamington National Park, with most walks radiating from it. The track is also a section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. This track connects the Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections of Lamington National Park, passing through warm and cool subtropical, and warm and cool temperate rainforest. These varied rainforest communities contain many ancient families of flowering plants: the bolwarra family (Eupomatiacea), pepperbush (Winteraceae), laurels (Lauraceae), lillypillies (Myrtaceae), and the southern beech (Fagaceae).

On a clear day, lookouts provide spectacular views of the Limpinwood Valley, Mount Warning and the Tweed Range. During winter months, walkers are likely to hear the loud ringing call of the Albert’s lyrebird.

Note – There is no shorter way to walk from either trailhead in the park. Stay on the Border Track. Other routes may appear to reduce the distance, but end up being longer.

 

 

Binna Burra Waterfalls

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While there are several waterfalls scattered through the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, there are only two waterfalls in the Binna Burra section – Coomera Falls and Ballunjui Falls.

To get to Coomera Falls, take the Coomera Circuit which is 17.4 km long and takes 7 hours. This walk allows you to see the Coomera gorge and waterfalls as well as giant brush box trees in the rainforest along the circuit. The circuit follows the edge of the Coomera Gorge providing splendid views of the Coomera waterfalls.

To view Ballunjui Falls, you need to take the Ships Stern circuit which is 21 km long and takes 8 hours. From this track, short side tracks take you to either the top or the bottom of Ballunjui Falls. It’s an extra 600 m to get to the bottom of the falls; add 2.6 km for a return trip to the top of the falls.

 

 

Binna Burra Accommodation

The only accommodation and restaurant at Binna Burra is the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge located on Binna Burra Road in Beechmont.

 

Binna Burra Mountain Lodge

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Binna Burra Mountain Lodge is a postcard-perfect mountain retreat with rustic log cabins and campsites surrounded by forest.

The original cabins, built in 1935, are still in use; they’ve been outfitted with modern comforts but not with contemporary “inconveniences,” such as telephones, televisions, radios, and clocks. All the accommodations have pine-paneled walls, floral bedcovers, heaters, and electric blankets. The popular Euphrasia Bella rooms have balconies with wonderful views of the Numinbah Valley and private bathrooms; they are furnished with queen or double twin beds. The spacious mudbrick and weatherboard Acacia cabins also have private bathrooms, unlike the Casurarina cabins, which are the least expensive option but have shared bathroom facilities.

The lodge also has a Rejoove Day Spa, a crafts shop, a natural history library that shows free nightly nature documentaries, and a large program of activities. Some of these activities include guided walks, abseiling tours, and flying fox flights. Transport to and from Coolangatta airport and Nerang train station can be arranged upon request.

Guided walks and activities are for guests only; however, they welcome day visitors who want to walk the trails. They also have an inexpensive cafe for day-trippers.

 

Binna Burra Camping

The only campsite at Binna Burra is located at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge. It has powered and unpowered sites as well as safari tents. Guided walks and activities at both resorts are for guests only; however, both properties welcome day visitors who want to walk the trails (which is free). Both have inexpensive cafes for day-trippers.

 

Binna Burra Restaurant

The only restaurant in Binna Burra is located at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge. Meals are served in the stone-and-timber dining room, where you can sit at a communal table with other guests or at a table for two. Free tea and coffee are on the boil all day. The restaurant has good views over the national park and there’s also a small café.

 

 

How to get to Binna Burra?

From Broadbeach, it takes about 70 mins to Binna Burra.  Drive 38 km to Beechmont via Nerang. From the north, take Pacific Motorway exit 69 and follow the signs west to Binna Burra in Lamington National Park. The final section of the 10 km drive is very narrow so take care.

There are many commercial tour operators that conduct tours to Lamington National Park. There is no public transport to the park.

 

 

Tell us what you think. Do you prefer Binna Burra to the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park? If so why? If you’ve been to Binna Burra before, please share any ideas or tips to help make a visit here more memorable.

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