• You'll see for miles on a clear day! Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government
• The Border track is the backbone of Lamington's track system and a section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government

Delve into the heartland of this ancient landscape on this full-day hike connecting the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections of the park. Boasting stunning scenery and spectacular views, the Border Track is the backbone of the Lamington walking track system, with most walks radiating from it. It's also a part of the longer Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

Hike through warm and cool subtropical and temperate rainforests, into lush gullies and valleys, over crystal mountain streams, past stunning waterfalls, and along prominent ridge lines.

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

There is a short (600m return), steep side track that leads to two lookouts—Beereenbano and Merino—with views over the Tweed and Limpinwood valleys. The track passes through areas of forest damaged during a severe storm in 1983.

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).

Warning: 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. Whichever end you begin, leave as the sun rises and organise to be picked up at the end of your walk or stay overnight at your destination.

Getting there and getting around

The Border Track is the backbone of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane. The track crosses both sections of the park—Green Mountains and Binna Burra. The Green Mountains section is on the western side of the Lamington Plateau in an area called O'Reilly. The Binna Burra section encompasses the rest of the park to the east. There is no public transport to the park and getting taxis and ride share operators to pick up from the park can be difficult.

• The track has two trailheads—at the Green Mountains and Binna Burra upper day-use areas.
• The Green Mountains day-use area is at the end of Lamington National Park Road, 5.7km from the park entrance.
• The Binna Burra upper day-use area is at the end of Binna Burra Road, 3.5km from the park entrance.

Getting to Lamington

• Green Mountains section map (PDF, 542.1KB)
• Binna Burra section map (PDF, 725.7KB)
• Gold Coast and hinterland parks locality map (PDF, 377.0KB)
• View Google map

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

Border Track is open 24 hours a day.

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

Seasonal closures

The remote bush camping areas are only open between 1 February and 30 November each year.

Visiting safely

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