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Wagawn track
This high-altitude walk, often through mist-cloaked mountains, has amazing views and fascinating volcanic features.
- Journey type
- Walk
- Distance
- 18km return return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
- Time suggested
- Allow about 8hrs walking time.
- Grade
- Grade 4 walking track
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
- Bicycle
Journey facilities
- Walking
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Walk through mist-covered mountains during the often cool and cloudy weather. Photo credit: © Lesley Hutley
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Garragoolba lookout has uninterrupted views of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning. Photo credit: © Lesley Hutley
The most dramatic feature of this walk are the views from Garragoolba lookout. Pause for a while and take in the uninterrupted vistas of Springbrook, the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning … if the clouds aren’t too low!
Hints of the turmoil of this area’s volcanic origin can be seen under the spreading greenery. Tamborine, Springbrook, Beechmont and Lamington are remnants of the Tweed shield volcano’s northern flank. Mount Warning is all that remains of the volcano’s core and the Tweed Valley is a large erosion caldera carved from the eastern flank.
Please note that only after naturally occurring events such as severe wildfires or storms are there uninterrupted views from Wagawn. In the interim years the view may be interrupted by natural regrowth.
Once you’ve taken it all in, it’s time to return to Binna Burra via the same track.
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 Wagawn track is in the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.
- This track splits from the Araucaria lookout track 900m from the Border Track junction.
- The Araucaria lookout track starts 5.4km along the Border Track from the Binna Burra trailhead at the Binna Burra upper day-use area.
- 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
- Binna Burra section map
- Gold Coast and hinterland parks locality map
- 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
Wagawn track 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.
- Storm damage - Lamington National Park partially open 16 December 2020 to 22 January 2021
- Annual seasonal closure period for all Lamington bush camping areas 1 December 2020 to 31 January 2021
- Binna Burra walking tracks partial closure 7 September 2019 to 1 February 2021
- Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Partially Closed and Caves Circuit Detour 31 August 2020 to 6 August 2021