Lamington National Park Brisbane | Gold Coast

The West Canungra Creek circuit descends to the tranquil 'Yerralahla' (Blue Pool). Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government

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

Be inspired: Long hikes in Lamington take you back through time

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time, not hundreds of years but millions? Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Meet Lamington’s iconic and elusive wildlife—let the show begin!

Roll up, roll up! You’re about to meet the show-stopping performers of our Gondwana World Heritage Area rainforest! Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government

Be inspired: 7 accessible (wheelchair and stroller-friendly) parks close to Brisbane

There’s no need to feel like you’re stuck in the city with nowhere to go this weekend! Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Be inspired: 8 family-friendly walks around the Gold Coast

Calling nature enthusiasts of all ages! If you’re looking for nature therapy the whole family can enjoy, there’s no better place than Queensland’s biggest playground—Queensland National Parks! Photo credit: Anna Osetroff © Queensland Government

Be inspired: A magical history tour of Queensland’s earliest national parks

South-East Queensland is the cradle of Queensland National Parks. So let’s take a tour of 4 of our earliest parks to learn the fascinating stories behind their creation and find out how to best enjoy them today. Photo credit: Nick Hill © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Refresh in the ‘green behind the gold’—5 bushwalks on the Gold Coast

Queensland National Parks in the Gold Coast hinterland offer bushwalks where you can refresh in cool mountain air, immerse your senses in lush green forests and feast your eyes on breathtaking scenery. Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

West Canungra Creek circuit

Spend a few hours exploring the tranquil waters of Yerralahla (blue pool) and the gorgeous West Canungra Creek.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
13.9km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
Time suggested
Allow about 5.5hr walking time
Grade
Grade 4 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Journey facilities

  • Walking

Due to gradient, we recommend you walk this circuit clockwise.

From the trailhead in the Green Mountains day-use area follow the Border Track for about 600m before branching off onto the West Canungra Creek circuit track. Descend past Darraboola Falls, through lush rainforest dotted with red cedar Toona ciliate, to West Canungra Creek and the tranquil waters of 'Yerralahla' (blue pool). Follow the creek for most of its length, crossing it several times by rock-hopping across water-worn boulders.

Take time to look in the ripples and deeper pools for eels, fish and bright blue Lamington spiny crayfish, and keep an eye out for snakes warming on sun-touched boulders. On overcast summer days you might even see a Border Ranges leaf-tailed gecko laying camouflaged on a tree trunk. This gecko is endemic to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Fossilised ancestors of this species from over 20 million years ago have been found in the World Heritage-listed Australian Fossil Mammal sites (Riversleigh).

The circuit eventually joins up with the Box Forest circuit and nearly 14km later you’ll be back in the day-use area.

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: take care at creek crossing as they may be difficult to navigate, especially after rain, and the track might not be obvious in places. Look for orange directional arrows at the creek crossings to navigate the circuit. Check track conditions with a ranger before you leave. Also, eels inhabit the West Canungra Creek. They bite when threatened and injuries have occurred.

Getting there and getting around

The West Canungra Creek circuit is in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.

  • The circuit starts at 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.

Wheelchair accessibility

This circuit is not wheelchair accessible. There are wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities at the Green Mountains day-use area.

Two wheelchair-accessible walking tracks are provided in the Green Mountains section: 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

West Canungra Creek 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.