• This circuit crosses the Coomera River 12 times! Photo credit: © Ben Blanche
• Take a break beside the lomandra-fringed Coomera River. Photo credit: © Ben Blanche

This circuit requires a high degree of fitness and experience.

To walk this circuit clockwise, start at the trailhead in the Binna Burra lower day-use area and descend steeply along the Gwongoorool track through sun-dappled open forest and lush rainforest to the Coomera River. The drier rainforest on the western side of the river is home to elusive black-breasted button-quails—members of an ancient group of birds.

Rock-hop or wade through the swirling river waters as you navigate the many crossing following the 'Old Cedar Road', once used by timber-getters in the early 1900s. Marvel at the tall and slender picabeen palms and the enormous and intricate strangler fig. The circuit then leaves the river and climbs the Beechmont Range to return to Binna Burra.

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: in hot weather it may be less strenuous to walk this circuit in an anticlockwise direction. Always carry enough drinking water. River crossings can be hazardous after heavy rain and should not be attempted when the river is in flood.

Getting there and getting around

The Illinbah circuit is in the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.

• The circuit starts at the Binna Burra lower day-use area.
• The Binna Burra lower day-use area is on Binna Burra Road, 1.7km from the park entrance.

Getting to Lamington

The park has two sections—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.

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.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Illinbah circuit is open 24 hours a day.

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

Visiting safely

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