Rainforest return
Take a trip back in time as you walk through 23 million years’ worth of Lamington's geological history.
- Journey type
- Walk
- Distance
- 1.4km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
- Time suggested
- Allow about 30min walking time.
- Grade
- Grade 2 walking track
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
Journey facilities
- Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
- Walking
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![Learn more about Lamington's ancient history along this walk.]()
Learn more about Lamington's ancient history along this walk.
Photo credit: Nicholas Hill © Queensland Government
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![Wander under the green forest canopy.]()
Wander under the green forest canopy.
Photo credit: Nicholas Hill © Queensland Government
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![Keep an eye out for birds, like this yellow-throated scrubwren.]()
Keep an eye out for birds, like this yellow-throated scrubwren.
Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government
The first 700m of this track is accessible for wheelchairs with assistance.
This short walk is a journey through the geological history of this landscape. Step between the 23-million-year-old boulders and try to picture this landscape during Australia’s ice age. Imagine what it would be like to come face-to-face with the largest marsupial to have ever lived, and what this landscape would’ve looked like during the last lava flows from the Tweed Volcano.
The walk also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. Watch for yellow-throated scrubwrens, Albert’s lyrebirds and Australian longrunners rummaging among the leaf litter.
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 rainforest return track is in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.
- The track starts at the trailhead in Green Mountains day-use area. and follows the Border Track for 700m. Return along the same track. Alternatively, follow the gravel track that connects the O’Reilly’s Botanic Gardens and Booyong boardwalk to return to the Green Mountains day-use area.
- The Green Mountains day-use area is at the end of Lamington National Park Road, 5.7km from the park entrance.
For more details on how to get to Lamington National Park, please see getting there and getting around.
The first 700m of this track is accessible for wheelchairs with assistance. The remainder of the Border track is not wheelchair accessible. There are wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities available at the Green Mountains day-use area.
The Centenary track is a 900m universal access track that starts at the Python Rock and Morans Falls trailhead, and is located 125m back along the access road from the Green Mountains day-use area.
Before you visit
Opening hours
Rainforest return 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.
- Planned upgrades and reconstruction works - Lower Bellbird circuit. 5 January to 1 July 2022
- Wet weather access - Lamington National Park partially open. 23 February to 30 June 2022
- Planned upgrades - Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walks track. 26 April to 1 July 2022
- If it's flooded, forget it - even on our walking tracks 26 November 2021 to 1 July 2022