Lamington National Park Brisbane | Gold Coast

You'll need to hike along the Illinbah circuit to get to the camp site. Photo credit: Nicholas Hill © Queensland Government

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

Illinbah bush camp

Spend the night in stunning dry rainforest and enjoy the natural pleasures of the upper reaches of the Coomera River.

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.

Nestled in dry rainforest in a valley between the Darlington and Beechmont ranges, this rough camp site is a stone’s throw from the Coomera River on the Illinbah circuit. Strewn with boulders, sculpted and worn smooth by the water, the river is a haven for wildlife. Sit quietly on the bank and watch colourful dragonflies and timid water dragons. Search the water for fish, tadpoles and eels. At night, fall asleep while being regaled by the calls of frogs along the creek.

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 Illinbah bush camp site is in Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.

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

Illinbah bush camp site (on-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 situated in dry rainforest in close proximity to the Coomera River. The site is located in a valley and has no views.
Location: Map sheet: Beechmont 9541-42, Grid reference: 167 848.
Access: Site is on the graded walking track system and a 4hr walk from the Gwongoorool track entrance.
Number of sites: No defined sites. Maximum of 6 people per night.
Camp sites are suitable for: Self-sufficient, walk-in camping.
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. 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.