Lamington National Park Brisbane | Gold Coast

Take a break beside the lomandra-fringed Coomera River. Photo credit: © Ben Blanche

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

Illinbah circuit

Fit and experienced walkers can spend the day exploring the Coomera River and Beachmont Range in the heartland of this World Heritage area.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
16.6km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
Time suggested
Allow about 8hrs walking time.
Grade
Grade 5 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle
  • Bicycle

Journey facilities

  • Walking

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.

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 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.