Australia’s largest remnant of subtropical rainforest cloaks the deep valleys and steep cliffs of the McPherson Range, reaching elevations of 1100m on the Lamington Plateau. Here, the 200-sq-km Lamington National Park is a Unesco World Heritage site and has over 160km of walking trails.
The two most accessible sections of the park are the Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections, both reached via long, narrow, winding roads from Canungra (not great for big campervans). Binna Burra can also be accessed from Nerang.
Bushwalks within the park include everything from short jaunts to multiday epics. For experienced hikers, the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk is a three-day trip along a 54km path from the Green Mountains section to the Springbrook Plateau. Other favourites include the excellent Tree Top Canopy Walk along a series of rope-and-plank suspension bridges at Green Mountains, and the 21km Border Track that follows the dividing range between NSW and Queensland and links Binna Burra to Green Mountains.
Walking guides are available from the Binna Burra and Green Mountains ranger stations (open 7.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 3.30pm Saturday and Sunday).
