Gold Coast Hinterland Walk - 6 daysOne of Australia’s newest long distance walking tracks, the Gold Coast Hinterland Walk joins the Lamington and Springbrook Plateaus together. The track starts in the magnificent rainforest of Lamington National Park. This is a World Heritage Area where new plants are being found, classified and named even today. Massive strangler figs, ancient Antarctic beech, red cedar, rosewood and booyongs tower overhead whilst hundreds of different species of palms, vines, ferns and orchids flourish beneath. Have you ever hugged a 3000 year old tree? These ancient Antarctic Beech trees (Nothofagus moorei) are evidence of Australia’s beginnings as part of the Gondwanaland super-continent.
Hike the Lamington Traverse on the Border Track as it passes through the McPherson Range. On the Springbrook side the rainforest is punctuated by numerous cascading streams and towering waterfalls. Cross-cross pristine creeks and take your pick from the many waterfalls for a delightful lunch spot. This new walk is a real gem and is great for lovers of rainforests, waterfalls and bird life.
Daily itinerary
Day 1
Starts at the Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) at 10am. Travel to O'Reillys in the Lamington National Park and enjoy a delightful walk on the Brush Box Circuit (4hrs, moderate, 11km). Explore the top of the rainforest on the Tree Tops Walk and you can even climb the Fig Tree Tower (1hr, easy, 1km).
Accommodation: O'Reillys Rainforest Retreat
Day 2
Full day Lamington Traverse. Walk across the rainforest plateau on the Border Track to Binna Burra Lodge - at 25km it's a long way but the route is almost flat and the going is easy. The track emerges from the subtropical rainforest at several panoramic escarpment lookouts along the way. As always, there is an easier option where you can enjoy the scenic drive to Binna Burra and do a short rainforest walk.
Accommodation: Binna Burra
Day 3
A full day circuit walk from Binna Burra on the Coomera Circuit (6 hours, moderate walking with many creek crossings, 17km plus an optional 2.5km). This is one of the prettiest walks in the park. It criss-crosses rainforest creeks for much of the day, passing many waterfalls. If you don’t want to go all the way you can go to Coomera Falls Lookout and the Tullawallal Circuit then retrace your route and enjoy some relaxation at the lodge (5-6 hours, easy walking, 12km).
Accommodation: Binna Burra.
Day 4
Hike via Bellbird Lookout and Lower Ballanjui Falls down into the Numinbah Valley (6-7 hours, mostly moderate walking except for 1.5hrs that is very steep downhill, 16km). The conical shaped Egg Rock is a feature today along with the beautiful Little Nerang River. This is the first section of new track that has been constructed to extend the Lamington walking into the valley and up to the Springbrook Plateau on the other side. A shorter option will be offered that avoids the steep descent (5hrs, moderate walking, 12km). Travel up to the Springbrook Plateau.
Accommodation: Springbrook Plateau
Day 5
From the Numinbah Valley, head uphill onto the Springbrook Plateau. Highlights include hiking alongside the Little Nerang River past waterfall after waterfall. At Warringa Pool you can enjoy a refreshing dip in a rainforest swimming hole. And Purling Brook Falls will take your breath away! Hard option (6-7hrs, challenging walking, 13km) and easier option (4 hours, moderate walking, 8km)
Accommodation: Springbrook Plateau
Day 6
A circuit walk this morning to Twin Falls is an impressive experience (2hrs, moderate walking, 4km). Top it off with a visit to "Best of All Lookout" before travelling back to the Gold Coast to arrive around 2.00pm.
Trip information
Location
This holiday starts in Coolangatta, which is on the Gold Coast, about one hour south of Brisbane. There are regular flights from major cities.
Grading
The tracks at the Lamington end are generally easy to moderate and well graded. At Springbrook the steepness increases notably. Full day walks average 18-24km. There will be plenty of opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves on longer, harder walks and as always, easier options will be available too.
Accommodation
Ecolodges and a mountain chalet. Overnight stays at O’Reillys, Binna Burra and Springbrook Plateau.
The best time to go
We like late autumn / early winter (April-June) as there is low humidity and the temperature is usually very pleasant for walking.
Enquire here and we put your personal adrenalin filled trip together!
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