Lamington National Park Brisbane | Gold Coast

Lay back and get lost in the stars! 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

Be inspired: Long hikes in Lamington take you back through time

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time, not hundreds of years but millions? Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Meet Lamington’s iconic and elusive wildlife—let the show begin!

Roll up, roll up! You’re about to meet the show-stopping performers of our Gondwana World Heritage Area rainforest! Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government

Be inspired: 8 family-friendly walks around the Gold Coast

Calling nature enthusiasts of all ages! If you’re looking for nature therapy the whole family can enjoy, there’s no better place than Queensland’s biggest playground—Queensland National Parks! Photo credit: Anna Osetroff © Queensland Government

Be inspired: A magical history tour of Queensland’s earliest national parks

South-East Queensland is the cradle of Queensland National Parks. So let’s take a tour of 4 of our earliest parks to learn the fascinating stories behind their creation and find out how to best enjoy them today. Photo credit: Nick Hill © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Refresh in the ‘green behind the gold’—5 bushwalks on the Gold Coast

Queensland National Parks in the Gold Coast hinterland offer bushwalks where you can refresh in cool mountain air, immerse your senses in lush green forests and feast your eyes on breathtaking scenery. Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

Running Creek remote bush camp

Follow Running Creek from the foothills, up the narrowing valley to this quiet camp site in thick rainforest.

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 excellent navigational skills to walk to this remote camp site.

Above a tumble of large, water-worn boulders near Running Creek, the camp site is surrounded by thick rainforest, adorned with epiphytes, orchids and vines. The creek swirls and cascades its way downstream, eventually joining the Logan River to the north-west.

For the first few kilometres you’ll cross lush farmland. This is private property that flanks Running Creek. A series of markers lead to the park boundary. From here it is a steady climb into the narrowing valley and to the camp site.

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

Running Creek remote bush camp site is in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.

Map sheet—Lamington 9541-34. Grid reference—062 680.
The walk to the camp site starts on private property. You'll need to obtain permission from Mr and Mrs Drynan by emailing jandrynan@gmail.com before your hike. Respect the owner’s land—do not enter, camp or light fires on private property.
From the car park, follow the markers along the public access route through farmland for 4km to the park boundary.
The route within the park is unmarked and can be difficult to find.
Follow the creek and climb steadily to the camp site.
It's about a 5hr walk from Drynan's gate.

For more details on how to get to Lamington National Park and wheelchair accessibility, please see getting there and getting around.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Running Creek 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 next day. Bush camp sites can only be booked for a maximum of one night per group, per site.

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: Running Creek site is a rough bush camp site located near the creek in rainforest. There are no views at this site.
Location: Map sheet: Lamington 9541-34, Grid reference: 062 680.
Access: Remote site off the graded walking track system on an unmarked trail and a 5hr walk from Drynan’s gate. The first 4km of this trail leads through private property before reaching the park boundary.
Number of sites: No defined sites. Maximum of 4 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 permitted.
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.