National park · Australia
Lamington National Park
Entry is free: drive to either Green Mountains (O'Reilly's) or Binna Burra, walk a 2–4 h circuit before 10:00 to beat the car parks, and keep the 21 km (13 mi) Toolona Creek circuit for a full day with an early start.Entry is free: drive to either Green Mountains (O'Reilly's) or Binna Burra, walk a 2–4 h circuit before 10:00 AM to beat the car parks, and keep the 21 km (13 mi) Toolona Creek circuit for a full day with an early start.Entry is free: drive to either Green Mountains (O'Reilly's) or Binna Burra, walk a 2–4 h circuit before 10:00 to beat the car parks, and keep the 13 mi (21 km) Toolona Creek circuit for a full day with an early start.Entry is free: drive to either Green Mountains (O'Reilly's) or Binna Burra, walk a 2–4 h circuit before 10:00 AM to beat the car parks, and keep the 13 mi (21 km) Toolona Creek circuit for a full day with an early start.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
210 km² (81 sq mi)81 sq mi (210 km²)
approximate
Established
1915
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 210 km² (81 sq mi)81 sq mi (210 km²)
- Roughly 210 km² across the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections (check).
- Established
- 1915
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Brisbane
Lamington protects the largest area of subtropical rainforest on Earth, on the northern flank of the 23-million-year-old Tweed volcano, about 90 minutes from Brisbane and an hour from the Gold Coast. It is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage property. Two road ends serve it: Green Mountains at O'Reilly's in the west, and Binna Burra in the east. There are no entrance gates and no entry fee — you pay only for camping, guided activities or a bed. More than 500 waterfalls fall inside the boundary, and about 150 km of walking tracks link them.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1986Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (listed 1986, extended 1994).
Size and age
210 km² (81 sq mi)81 sq mi (210 km²) · national park since 1915
Roughly 210 km² across the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Brisbane.
Why go
- Subtropical rainforest you can walk into in an hour from the car, with Antarctic beech trees over 2,000 years old.
- Two separate road ends — Green Mountains and Binna Burra — so you can pick the quieter side on the day.
- Waterfalls in every direction: Elabana, Morans, Coomera and Yarrbilgong are all reachable on day walks.
- Free entry and no booking for day walks; you only pay to camp or sleep at the lodges.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot and humid; afternoon storms; leeches after rain
- FebWettest stretch; tracks muddy
- MarRain easing; falls running well
- AprClear, mild; best all-round walking
- MayDry, cool nights; crisp views
- JunCold mornings, low humidity, few people
- JulColdest; frost at the plateau; clear skies
- AugDry and bright; westerly wind
- SepWarming up; spring birdsong
- OctWarm; storm season starts
- NovHumid; afternoon thunder
- DecHot, busy school holidays, storms
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent bowerbird and satin bowerbird at the Green Mountains clearingMar–Sep · Most active early morning around the cafe and day-use area. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Albert's lyrebirdMay–Aug · Heard more often than seen on the lower forest tracks in winter. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Pademelons and red-necked wallabiesAll year · Common at dusk near the lodges; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches and ticksNov–Mar · Worst in the wet, warm months; wear long socks and check after walking. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Lamington spiny crayfishAll year · Blue-and-white crayfish in the streams; look, do not handle. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Brisbane
M1 south to Exit 69, then Canungra and Lamington National Park Road to Green Mountains; or State Route 97 and Beechmont Road for Binna Burra.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Gold Coast
Nerang and Canungra, then the same two road ends; Binna Burra is the shorter drive.
1–1.5 h
From Scenic Rim towns
Canungra and Beechmont are the last fuel and food stops before the climb.
30–45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Green Mountains (O'Reilly's) | Western road end: information centre, cafe, tree-top walk, and the start of the Box Forest and Toolona Creek circuits. | Open daily; free day-use parking. |
| Binna Burra | Eastern road end: lodge, tea house, campsite and the Coomera and Daves Creek circuits. | Open daily; parking free, campsite booked. |
| Coomera and upper valleys | Deep gorges and the big falls, reached only on foot. | Day walks or registered overnight walks. |
| Kamarun lookout | Lower-elevation lookout on the Cainbable side, outside the main walking hubs. | Road access; short walk. |
Sketch map
- 1Green Mountains day-use area (O'Reilly's) · Headquarters≈-28.231, 153.135Map ↗
- 2Binna Burra lodge and trailhead · Gate≈-28.198, 153.187Map ↗
- 3Morans Falls lookout · Viewpoint≈-28.231, 153.125Map ↗
- 4Python Rock lookout · Viewpoint≈-28.228, 153.119Map ↗
- 5Elabana Falls · Trail≈-28.243, 153.153Map ↗
- 6Coomera Falls · Viewpoint≈-28.233, 153.191Map ↗
- 7Kamarun lookout · Viewpoint≈-28.156, 153.123Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for the two road ends and the main lookouts and falls, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (day use, both sections) | Free | person | No gate and no fee for walking; parking is free. |
| Vehicle access | Free | vehicle | No road toll or park road charge (check). |
| Camping at Green Mountains (O'Reilly's) | AUD 7–14 (≈ US$5–10) | person per night | 2026 estimate; book online with Queensland Parks before you drive up. |
| Binna Burra campsite | AUD 10–20 (≈ US$7–14) | person per night | 2026 estimate; run by the lodge, book ahead in school holidays. |
| Guided night walk or spotlight tour | AUD 25–60 (≈ US$17–40) | person | 2026 estimate; booked through the lodges. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day walking no permit
Camping permit or guide
Overnight and remote walking permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$7–14≈ US$5–10
- A$10–20≈ US$7–14
- A$25–60≈ US$17–40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Queensland Parks — Lamington National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on the track
- Short-cutting erodes the rainforest edge and is how walkers get lost in the gullies.
- No drones
- Recreational drones are not permitted in Queensland national parks without a permit (check).check
- No dogs
- Domestic animals are not allowed in the park, including in cars parked at trailheads.
- No fires or camping outside sites
- Fires are banned; camp only at the signed Green Mountains and Binna Burra sites.
- Do not feed wildlife
- Feeding birds and pademelons changes behaviour and is an offence.
- Take your rubbish out
- Bins are limited; carry everything back to the road ends.
Where to stay
Near the park
O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat
Rooms and villas at the Green Mountains road end, with the cafe and tree-top walk on site.
Near the park
Binna Burra Lodge
Safari tents, cabins and rooms at the Binna Burra road end, plus a tea house.
Near the park
Green Mountains campground
Basic sites near O'Reilly's; book with Queensland Parks.
Near the park
Canungra and Beechmont
Cheaper motels, pubs and farm stays 30–45 minutes below the plateau.
Safety
Slippery rock and roots medium
Getting lost on the long circuits medium
Afternoon storms and falling branches medium
Cold, wet weather at 900 m low
Snakes and stinging plants low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Green Mountains day-use area, information centre and cafe are step-free with accessible parking and toilets.
- The Tree Top Walk and the first section of the Morans Falls track are the most manageable walks for limited mobility; the valley circuits have long flights of steps.
- Binna Burra's lodge and tea house are reachable by car with short, level paths.
Visiting lightly
- Book camping online so numbers are capped, and use the provided toilets rather than the bush.
- Stay on formed tracks — the rainforest edge recovers slowly and the soils are easily eroded.
- Take out everything you bring in, including food scraps that attract wildlife.
- Use the lodges' guided walks rather than unofficial tours that leave the track.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lamington National Park?
Nothing. There is no gate and no entry fee for day walking or parking at either Green Mountains or Binna Burra. You pay only if you camp (roughly A$7–20 per person per night, 2026 estimate), join a guided walk, or stay at one of the lodges.
What are the best hikes in Lamington National Park?
From Green Mountains: the Box Forest circuit (about 10.9 km, 4–5 h) past Elabana Falls, the Toolona Creek circuit (about 17.4 km, 6–7 h) for a full day, and the easy Morans Falls and Python Rock tracks. From Binna Burra: the Coomera circuit (about 17.4 km, 6–7 h) to Coomera and Yarrbilgong falls. There is no track linking the two road ends.
When is the best time to visit Lamington National Park?
April to September: drier tracks, cooler air and clearer lookouts. October to March is hot, humid and storm-prone, with leeches and muddy descents; if you come then, start at first light and be off the ridges by mid-afternoon.
Do I need a 4WD to reach Lamington National Park?
No. Both Lamington National Park Road to Green Mountains and Beechmont Road to Binna Burra are sealed and fine for a normal car. The last stretch climbs and has bends, so allow extra time in rain or fog.
Can I see the park without a long walk?
Yes. The Green Mountains day-use area has the information centre, cafe and the Tree Top Walk canopy bridges, and the Morans Falls and Python Rock tracks are short and mostly gentle. Binna Burra has level paths around the lodge.
Is there mobile phone signal in the park?
Patchy. You may get a signal at the road ends and on open ridges, but not in the valleys or on the long circuits. Carry the official park map and tell someone your route and return time.
Can I camp in Lamington National Park?
Yes, at the signed sites near Green Mountains and at Binna Burra. Book online before you drive up; Queensland school holidays and long weekends fill first.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialQueensland Parks — Lamington National Park
- officialQueensland Parks — Green Mountains day-use area
- officialQueensland Parks — Lamington Green Mountains walking track map (PDF)
- officialQueensland Parks — Coomera circuit
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lamington National Park, revision 5212046 (CC BY-SA 4.0)