If you’re planning a trip to Lamington National Park and searching for the best things to do in Lamington National Park to build your ultimate itinerary, you’ve landed in exactly the right place.

Located in the lush Gold Coast hinterland of Queensland, Australia, Lamington National Park forms part of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforests and is home to some of the oldest subtropical rainforests on Earth. It’s a little harder to access and requires more driving and planning than nearby Springbrook National Park and Tamborine Mountain, but that’s all part of the appeal. This is a destination for travellers who love epic day hikes, cascading waterfalls, misty lookouts and wildlife encounters – and who are willing to go the extra mile (or 50). Lamington National Park is best known for its famous treetop walk, O’Reilly’s estate and the multitude of incredible hikes within the park.

From ancient Brush box trees to deep valleys carved by waterfalls (and the chance to spot the rare blue Lamington crayfish), Lamington National Park is one of those places in Australia that feels completely removed from the modern world. The drive alone, with its hairpin turns and blind corners, has you leaving everything behind — the perfect opportunity to switch off and reconnect with nature.

In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know – including the best things to do in Lamington National Park, the most rewarding hikes, where to stay, when to visit, and a few local food stops to round out your adventure.

Getting To Lamington National Park

The easiest way to explore Lamington National Park whilst you’re there is definitely by car. The park is roughly 1.5–2 hours from Brisbane and just over an hour from the Gold Coast, making it an ideal weekend trip or road-trip destination on a wider East Coast itinerary. If you’re flying in for your Lamington National Park adventure, Brisbane Airport (BNE) or Gold Coast Airport (OOL) are your closest options, from which you can rent a car.

Okay, so when it comes to ‘where to explore in Lamington National Park’, there are a few different sections, and each is equally remote. There is no convenient loop that allows you to drive between them all in one day. When planning your trip to Lamington National Park, I would suggest making a bucket list of the activities and spots you want to prioritise, seeing where they fall on the map, and then choosing one spot for a day adventure, or maybe two if you’re taking your trip over 2/3 days.

See what I mean with road access on the map below:

To make it simple, there are two main access points into the park: Green Mountains (O’Reilly’s) and Binna Burra. Both offer different hiking options and experiences, and if you have time, it’s worth visiting both. The drive around the park itself is incredibly scenic, but prepare for winding roads, narrow passings and some blind turns! It definitely feels like you’re going off the beaten path (which I personally love!).

To decide which part of the park to visit, you can see my best things to do in Lamington National Park later in this guide. You can also access all of my recommendations for Lamington National Park and beyond in my Australia Google Map here.

Where to Stay in Lamington National Park

Firstly, you’ll want to decide whether you’re camping or would prefer to arrive at a place where your bed is already set up. Of course, also worth deciding which section of the park you’d like to spend your time in.

In the Green Mountains (O’Reillys) section, you have:

• The Green Mountains Campground near O’Reilly’s has easy access to many of the park’s classic walks. Simple, peaceful and surrounded by rainforest.
• O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat – a variety of lodges, rooms and eco-lux chalets (Pat’s Farm), again conveniently located near all the popular walks.

In the Binna Burra section, you have:

• Binna Burra Lodge – a similar set-up to O’Reilly‘s with a variety of rooms, views and direct access to walking tracks. There are lodges, houses and a campsite too.

If you’re keen to explore both sections of the park, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to find a cosy cabin, eco-lodge or farm stays around Canungra and Beechmont.

Below are pictures of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, specifically the mountain view room.

Best Time to Visit Lamington National Park

Lamington is a year-round destination for sure, but the best time to visit depends on what you’re looking for.

• Autumn and winter (April–September) are ideal for hiking, with cooler temperatures, clearer views and fewer leeches.
• Summer (December–February) brings heavy rainfall (leeches), making waterfalls spectacular but also making tracks more slippery and challenging.

Spring is a beautiful middle ground, with wildflowers blooming, flowing creeks and often the most comfortable hiking conditions. If you’re keen to tackle longer hikes and routes in Lamington National Park, aim for the drier months and always check track conditions and the National Park website before setting out.

The Best Things to Do in Lamington National Park

Green Mountains (O’Reillys) Section of Lamington National Park

Moran Falls

Moran Falls is one of the most accessible yet rewarding walks in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, making it a must-add to your itinerary. We did it after breakfast, and it was a gentle, relatively flat walk to the lookout and back, taking us 50 minutes round trip. The track winds through lush subtropical rainforest before opening out to an EPIC lookout over the 80m cascade. It’s an especially beautiful walk in the early morning when the light filters through the trees.

Tip: If you can, time it after rainfall when the falls are at their most powerful.

• Distance: 4.4km loop
• Time: 1-1.5 hr.
• Start point: Green Mountains car park (near O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat)
• Wildlife to look out for: Pademelons, brush turkeys, king parrots, rosellas and the occasional goanna.

Park up and have lunch at Kamarun Lookout

Located along the road to O’Reilly’s, this scenic and peaceful little lookout spot is the perfect place to pause and refuel. If you have your lunch, come and enjoy it here with an epic view!

Kamarun Lookout offers 360-degree views over the Lamington hinterland and surrounding valleys. There aren’t actually too many places to stop on the drive in and soak in the view, so this is a great option. There are a few picnic benches and shade here, too.

Border Track & Box Forest Circuit (including Elabana, Box Log & Moran Falls)

If you’re looking for an extended hike through the rainforest, the border track and Box Forest Circuit is an amazing, well-trodden option. The Border Track and Box Forest Circuit combines some of the park’s best highlights into one epic loop. Think dense rainforest (look out for the ancient Brush Box trees!!!), multiple waterfalls, river crossings and peaceful picnic spots (bring a picnic). You’ll pass Moran Falls, Box Log Falls and the stunning Elabana Falls, making it one of the most diverse and immersive walks in the park. It’s a proper adventure, but one that’s well worth the effort.

• Distance: 11km loop
• Time: 3.5–5 hours
• Start point: Green Mountains car park (near O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat)
• Wildlife to look out for: Pademelons, lyrebirds, king parrots, logrunner birds, crayfish in the creek crossings and plenty of reptiles along the track

If you’re short on time or not up for the full loop, you can follow the Border Track out-and-back to Elabana Falls instead (7.2km). This shorter version still gives you a taste of the rainforest and one of Lamington’s best waterfalls without committing to the full circuit.

Tip: Download AllTrails and save the trail so that you can navigate and track your distance and time!

Wine Tasting & Picnic by the river at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard

If you’re looking to slow things down after a morning of hiking, a stop at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard is the perfect way to round out your trip and is one of the best things to do in Lamington National Park. Set along a peaceful creek at the base of the mountains, this estate is all about long, lazy afternoons. Here you can enjoy wine tasting, a spot of lunch on the deck or pick up a gourmet picnic basket and enjoy the relaxed countryside atmosphere with the sound of the creek as a background playlist.

We picked up a pre-packed picnic basket filled with local produce and chose a spot by the river to enjoy it. It was HEAVEN! See below.

The cellar door here at Canungra Valley Vineyard offers a range of locally produced wines, and it’s an ideal stop either on your way into or out of the national park (located on the drive from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to Canungra).

Walk the FREE Rainforest Tree Top Walk at O’Reilly’s

One of the most unique ways to experience Lamington National Park is the Rainforest Tree Top Walk at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. What’s even better is that it’s free (recommended to leave a donation at the end).

This elevated walkway is part of the O’Reillys estate and takes you up into the rainforest canopy, with a series of suspension bridges rising up to 30 metres above the ground. As you move through the treetops, you’ll get a completely different perspective of the forest. It’s the perfect way to start your day. Grab a coffee and listen to the native wildlife, and you self-guide your way through this 2km loop.

The boardwalks and suspension bridges connect to viewing platforms where you can pause and take in the scale and density of the rainforest below. Allow 30-60 minutes to meander through this walk.

• Start point: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat (Green Mountains section)
• Booking: No booking required (free access for day visitors)
• Wildlife to look out for: King parrots, crimson rosellas, bowerbirds, lorikeets and sometimes pademelons beneath the canopy.

The treetop walk is one of the most accessible and best things to do in Lamington National Park, perfect for families or travellers short on time.

Tip: Look out for the ladders that take you up to the tops of the trees where there are special viewing platforms!

Walk the Alpacas at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards

Lol yep, you read it correctly! For a fun, memorable break from your hiking adventures, you can enjoy an intimate alpaca experience at Mountview Alpaca Farm (located within the Canungra vineyard grounds).

You can opt to observe them on the grounds, or take it to the next level and feed them / walk them around the property (selfie central). It’s a gorgeous location, and you watch a video beforehand which gives you all the information you need for a fun and safe experience. Alapacas have such characters I swear, this was a hilarious experience. Shout out to Ernie!

Pricing-wise, purchasing alpaca food is < $10, but for the more intimate walking experience, it starts at $49. See booking information here.

Grab a coffee and wander Canungra

Before or after heading into Lamington National Park, it’s worth stopping in the nearby township of Canungra for a coffee, a bit of local browsing and a quick visitor stop at the information centre before heading deeper into the park.

This small hinterland town has a relaxed, country feel and is the main gateway to the park, making it a great place to refuel and pick up any last-minute supplies.

Some recommendations:

• Visitor’s Information Centre: Pick up your trail maps, souvenirs and leaflets
• Bean In Cafe: Grab a coffee and lunch to go!
• Canungra Books and Art: Pick up a book from this gorgeous local bookstore
  
  

Binna Burra Section of Lamington National Park

Hike the Coomera Circuit

One of the most iconic and rewarding hikes in Lamington National Park, the Coomera Circuit is a must for experienced hikers. This challenging loop takes you deep into the heart of the park, passing multiple waterfalls including Coomera Falls, Bahnamboola Falls and Ungurungbano Falls.

The highlight of this circuit is Coomera Falls, where the creek plunges dramatically into a gorge below from a suspended viewing platform. This hike is more remote and less trafficked than the Green Mountains walks, making it ideal if you’re after a more adventurous, immersive experience.

• Distance: 17.5km loop
• Time: 5–7 hours
• Start point: Binna Burra section car park (via Binna Burra Road)
• Wildlife to look out for: Lyrebirds, pademelons, brush turkeys, goannas, and a variety of rainforest birdlife, plus the occasional wallaby near the track edges

Hike the Daves Creek Circuit

The Daves Creek Circuit is another standout hike in Lamington National Park, offering a great mix of dense rainforest, open ridge walking and sweeping views across the surrounding valleys. Unlike some of the more heavily trafficked trails, this circuit feels quieter and more remote, giving you a stronger sense of solitude and immersion in nature.

• Distance: 12.4km loop
• Time: 4–5 hours
• Start point: Binna Burra section car park (via Binna Burra Road)
• Wildlife to look out for: Lyrebirds scratching through the leaf litter, pademelons along the track edges, wallabies in open clearings, and a range of birdlife, including rosellas and honeyeaters

Take in the views from the Binna Burra Day-Use Area

If you’re not up for a long hike and want a more relaxing option during your time in Lamington National Park, simply spending time around the Binna Burra day-use area is an experience in itself.

This area offers elevated viewpoints across the surrounding valleys and rainforest, with picnic tables and open spaces to relax and take in the scenery. It’s an ideal spot to pause before or after a hike, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the light over the mountains is at its best.

Alternatively, go and grab a cuppa and a treat from Binna Burra Tea House!

Top Tips for Visiting Lamington National Park and making the most out of your trip:

• Download offline playlists, AllTrails walks, and Google maps before you arrive, as phone reception is limited.
• Start hikes early to avoid midday sun, especially on the longer circuits.
• Time waterfalls (if you can) after rainfall for more dramatic views!
• Wear proper hiking shoes; tracks can be slippery year-round.
• Pack leech socks or repellent in warmer months.
• Respect the park and its cultural significance to the Yugambeh people.

With its ancient rainforests, epic walking tracks and sense of true wilderness, Lamington National Park is one of Queensland’s most unforgettable destinations and is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Queensland Australia.

Whether you’re ticking off bucket-list hikes or enjoying slow mornings at a rainforest campground, there’s no shortage of adventure here.

I hope you’ve found some inspiration in my best things to do in Lamington National Park list! Time to lock the dates in your calendar and message you friends!!

Have you been to Lamington National Park?

What are the best things to do in Lamington National Park? Anything you’d add to this Lamington National Park bucket list?

Love as always and happy adventuring… 

Mollie Bylett