Lamington National Park Brisbane | Gold Coast

Set up camp surrounded by dry rainforest on the Darlington Range. Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government

Lush rainforest, ancient trees and stunning waterfalls make Lamington National Park an outstanding place to visit! Photo credit: Nick Hill © Queensland Government

Darlington remote bush camp

Navigate past cool mountain streams and tranquil pools to this rainforest camp site on a crest of the Darlington Range.

Accessible by

  • Walk-in

Camping area facilities

  • Tent camping
  • Long walk to tent
  • Walking

You need to be an experienced off-track walker with the right hiking equipment and top-notch navigational skills to walk to this remote camp site. Head off from the Binna Burra lower day-use area and past the deep and clear Gwongoorool Pool—the headwaters of this mountain stream are near the border with New South Wales.

From Gwongoorool Pool, zig-zag up a steep ridge and along a cliff line before arriving at the top of the Darlington Range (700m). The rough and unmarked camp site is surrounded by thick rainforest on a narrow crest of the range.

This park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, famed for its ongoing geological processes, evolutionary history, and diversity (especially of rare, threatened and endemic species).

Getting there and getting around

The Darlington remote bush camp site is in the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.

  • Map sheet—Beechmont 9541-42. Grid reference—163 803.
  • The bush camp site is on an unmarked trail that leaves the Gwongoorool track just upstream from Gwongoorool Pool.
  • The unmarked trail zigzags up a steep ridge and around a cliff line before reaching the top of the Darlington Range (700m).
  • Allow 3hrs walking time to reach the camp.

Getting to Lamington

Lamington National Park is made up of two sections—Green Mountains and Binna Burra. Green Mountains section is located on the western side of the Lamington Plateau. The Binna Burra section encompasses the rest of the park to the east.

Getting to Green Mountains section

From Broadbeach, drive 40km to Canungra via Nerang. From the north, take Pacific Motorway exit 34 to Beenleigh, route 92 to Tamborine, and route 90 to Canungra. The 36km winding and often narrow bitumen road from Canungra requires care and takes at least 50min. This road is unsuitable for recreational vehicles (RVs) longer than 4m and vehicles towing caravans and camper trailers.

Getting to Binna Burra section

Allow 70min from Broadbeach. Drive 38km to Beechmont via Nerang. From the north, take Pacific Motorway exit 69 and follow the signs west to Lamington National Park—Binna Burra section. The final 1.8km of the drive is very narrow and winding.

There are many commercial tour operators that conduct tours to Lamington National Park. See the tourism information links for further details.

There is no public transport to the park and getting taxis and ride share operators to pick up from the park can be difficult.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities at the day-use area in both the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections of Lamington National Park. Binna Burra section also has wheelchair-accessible picnic tables.

At Green Mountains section there are two wheelchair-accessible walking tracks. The Centenary track is a 900m universal access track, and the first 700m of the Border Track is accessible for wheelchairs with assistance.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Darlington remote bush camp site (off-track) is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Seasonal closures

The bush camp site is only open from 1 February to 30 November each year.

Camping area features: A rough bush camp site located on the crest of the Darlington Range that divides Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections of the park. The site offers intermittent views.
Location: Map sheet: Beechmont 9541-42, Grid reference: 163 803
Access: Remote site off the graded walking track system on an unmarked trail and a 3hr walk from the Gwongoorool track entrance.
Number of sites: No defined sites. Maximum of 8 people per night.
Camp sites are suitable for: fit, experienced, self-sufficient hikers.
Camp site surface: Dirt.
Facilities: None. Campers must be self-sufficient. Water collected from creeks should be treated before drinking. All rubbish (including food scraps) must be carried out.
Open fires: Prohibited. Fuel stoves only.
Generators: Not allowed.
Essentials to bring: Fuel stove, drinking water, extra food, rubbish bags, first-aid kit, topographic map, compass, torch, warm clothing, wet weather gear and a small trowel for burying faecal waste. GPS, EPIRB (or PLB) are highly recommended. Read more about before you visit.
Bookings: Advance bookings are essential and must be booked online or learn about our camping booking options.
Mobile phone coverage: Poor.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Lamington safely and camp with care.