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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 5.5hrs walking time
- Grade
- Grade 4 walking track
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
- Bicycle
Journey facilities
- Walking
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Follow the creek on this 13.9km circuit. Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government
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You'll have the chance to cross Canungra Creek several times. Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government
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It's easier to walk the circuit in a clockwise direction. Photo credit: Nicholas Hill © Queensland Government
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The West Canungra Creek circuit descends to the tranquil 'Yerralahla' (Blue Pool). Photo credit: Lightcapturer © Queensland Government
Due to gradient, we recommend you walk this circuit clockwise.
From the trailhead in the Green Mountains day-use area follow the Border Trackfor 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 trail 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 West Canungra Creek 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.
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
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.
- Storm damage - Lamington National Park partially open 16 December 2020 to 29 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