Wander Through Ancient Rainforests Along Lamington National Park’s 21km Border Track

Just a two hour drive from Brisbane, Lamington National Park is home to the magical 21.4km Border Track. Bonnie Scott shares why this enchanting rainforest walk is a must-do.

We acknowledge that this adventure is in the Yugambeh region of South-East QLD. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians who have cared for this land for thousands of years.

Quick Overview

The Border Track, skirting the edge of Lamington National Park in South-East Queensland, connects walking hotspots O’Reilly’s/Green Mountain with Binna Burra. The walk should take 6-8 hours.

Read more: Spot Tropical Birds in Lamington National Park’s Gondwana Rainforest

Border Track Facts

Distance: 21.4km
Duration: 7 hours
Grade: 4, but feels like 3
Nearest town: Canungra
Time from Brisbane: 2 hours
Time from Gold Coast: 1.5 hours

About the Border Track

Famed for its ancient Gondwana rainforest, natural lookouts, abundant waterfalls, and rare species, the Border Track transports you into another realm.

This enchanting full-day hike consists of seven hours of walking through the awe-inspiring sights of this World Heritage area. Prepare for a full day, including food stops, lookouts, and optional side quests.

Take in the mysteries of Lamington National Park

Just 110km south of Brisbane, Lamington National Park sits on the border between QLD and NSW and serves as a crucial protected habitat for about 58 species of threatened plants and over 22 threatened animals.

There are several lookouts where you can see Wollumbin/Mount Warning, the Tweed Range, and Limpinwood Valley.

Read more: 10 Highest Mountains to Climb In South East Queensland 2024

Border Track History

The Yugambeh language region encompasses the areas now known as Logan, the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, and Tweed Heads. There are multiple language groups within this region, which is home to what is now known as Lamington National Park.

And yep, the Lamington name comes from the same source as the iconic chocolate and coconut-covered sponges – QLD’s Governor in the late 1800s, Lord Lamington.

The Border Track was established in the 1930s and is one of the park’s first trails. Lamington now holds hundreds of kilometres of walking tracks.

Many of these were designed by Canungra local, Romeo Lahey, in the early 1900s. By studying the movements of dairy cows in the area, he designed the tracks to have an easy gradient and steps where steep sections were unavoidable. All with the idea that walkers would never be out of breath. Thanks, Romeo!

How to Get to the Border Track

It takes roughly two hours to get to O’Reilly’s Campground from Brisbane via the motorway. If possible, avoid doing the last hour of driving in the dark, as the mountain road up to O’Reilly’s is narrow and winding.

If, like us, you want to walk from Binna Burra to O’Reilly’s, book the shuttle bus ($35 pp one way) in advance. It leaves the O’Reilly’s Visitor Centre every Saturday at 7:45am and arrives at the Binna Burra trailhead around 9:30am.

If you’re going to walk in the opposite direction, there’s also a shuttle available from the Binna Burra Lodge ($50 pp, one way).

If you see this sign, you’re in the right place

Where to Stay Along the Border Track

You can walk the track from either direction in one day, or break it up by staying at one of the bush camps along the track. Both Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s have camping options too.

O’Reilly’s has an array of sleeping options, from your basic gravel patch to the Rainforest Retreat Rooms.

Read more: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

I can’t speak for the Retreat Rooms, but I can highly recommend the campground. It’s the most luxurious campsite I’ve ever stayed at! All meals come with a view.

Breaky with a view

The sites are well-distanced from each other, levelled, and centrally located to the maintained flushing toilets, hot showers (yes!), the powered kitchen with cooking facilities, microwave, hot water, sinks, and the fire pit.

Bush Camping on the Border Track

On the other hand, if you’re completely self-sufficient, you can camp along the track itself. Mt Bithongabel Bush Camp is a short walk off the track, near enough to the midway point.

Skill Level

Intermediate

So why is it Grade 4? It’s mainly the trail length.

The trail is wide and well-maintained but long and muddy. There can be a few large fallen trees and slippery rocks to climb or hop over, but the rest of the trail feels mostly flat.

People with different abilities and mobility needs may find these spots particularly challenging.

The first 700m of the Border Track from the O’Reilly’s end is paved and wheelchair accessible, although assistance may be required.

Essential Gear for the Border Track

• Rain jacket
• Waterproof boots
• Long pants to protect against leeches
• Insect repellent
• Phone/camera
• Pack cover
• Head torch
• Snacks
• Hat
• 2-3 litres of water
• Toilet paper and trowel (there are no loos on the track)
• Hand sanitiser (as above)

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

What It’s Like to Walk the Border Track

For me, hands-down, the best part of the track is the plant life.

It’s like stepping into a fairytale or Middle Earth!

The lookouts are great too, but weather certainly impacts visibility from these, so the wide-reaching vistas aren’t guaranteed.

Guaranteed fairytale scenes

Our chosen day was drizzly with low-lying misty clouds hanging around. While we were disappointed to miss the jaw-dropping views, it made for very comfortable walking weather.

There are a couple of creeks and waterfalls if you need to top up on water. Make sure you treat or filter it though.

You’re bound to encounter other walkers on the trail, which is comforting since mobile reception is spotty.

Another highlight was that our day was filled with plenty of animals!

We started with the resident Carpet python, who’s apparently there every day, sunning itself by the Binna Burra trailhead.

Sun time

We heard plenty of whip birds and others.

Read more: Lamington National Park Bird Watching

The track is notoriously full of leeches, especially in the wet. As luck would have it, we only encountered one!

Our fortune didn’t run out there. My hiking buddies had a magical moment when they heard a lyrebird!

Some of the wildest animals on the track…my hiking buddies

O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra

The campsite is a short five-minute walk from O’Reilly’s reception, where we signed into the logbook. At 7:45am we set off in the shuttle bus.

Swapping stories and adventure destination recommendations with the other passengers and driver is a great way to start the day. It helps pass the time (nearly two hours) driving the windy road to Binna Burra. Consider taking medication if you’re affected by car sickness.

Along the way we had a quick peek at Kamarun Lookout. On clear days, you can see from Brisbane to the Gold Coast from here.

By 8:40am we were driving through Canungra, which is full of old-timey timber cottages and bakeries.

Morning

We arrived at the start of the Binna Burra trailhead just before 9:30am. Best to make use of the toilets here before setting off as there are none on the trail.

Early on, there were a couple of fallen trees to climb over. There were also two little creeks we rock-hopped to keep our feet dry.

No seated snack breaks when it’s wet and windy

The lookouts and creek banks were probably the widest spots to stop and eat, but to avoid the wet and wind, we paused for lunch under the canopy. Our falafel, dip, and cheese proved easy to eat standing up.

Afternoon

During the second half of the day, we took two short side quests. One was a quick recon mission to one of the remote bush camps we’d considered staying at, Bithongabel.

We decided ‘remote’ and ‘bush’ are very accurate. It was tranquil, nonetheless.

Our second stop was a 500m round trip to the Naturalists Cairn. Intriguing! Would it be a green witch’s ritual altar? Or a monolithic monument to early nudists of the area?

The fantasy setting around us let my imagination run wild. But it was interesting to read the stone inscribed with a little about the park’s history and research sites.

After that, we found ourselves noticing the monitoring devices secured to trees.

By the last hour or so of walking, I was grateful for my head torch. It gets dark quickly under the canopy.

Sure is nice to remember to look up

My poles came into their own in the muddy sections before the final paved segment.

The track spits you out just across from O’Reilly’s Reception. Convenient, as you need to sign out of the logbook at the end of the day!

Evening

Finally done for the day at 5:30pm, those hot showers were heavenly.

The camp had a lovely atmosphere of satisfied exhaustion and chatter about highlights of the day. We spread our toes by the fire with a hot dinner, some wine, and a toasted marshmallow or six.

Some hot dogs!

Tips for Hiking the Border Track

• Count on the cold and wet, regardless of season. Bring wet weather clothes and warm gear
• Book your accommodation and shuttle bus in advance. These book up quickly, especially at popular times
• Consider poles for stability in the mud. There were certainly moments I might have gone mud-diving without them

Wet weather gear is a must!

FAQs for the Border Track in Lamington National Park

What other hikes can I do from O’Reilly’s?

Once you’re back from the Border Track, and done with feeding the rosellas and parrots at the visitor’s centre, you’ve got quite a few more hikes you can do. Particularly to waterfalls! Try the challenging route to Stairway Falls, the long and beautiful Tooloona Creek Circuit, or head to the popular Elabana Falls.

What hikes can I do from Binna Burra?

Finished with your cuppa at the Binna Burra Tea House? Time to get back on track. Daves Creek Circuit is truly a delight with heaps of variety. But get even more of a waterfall fix on the Coomera Circuit, or dry out on the Caves Circuit Walk.

Are there leeches in Lamington National Park?

Oh yeah, you’re in a rainforest area in Queensland. There’ll be leeches. Know how to handle them ahead of time!

What wildlife will I see in the park?

Definitely keep your eye out for the Lamington crayfish – a special lil freshwater cray native to the region. You won’t miss them because they’re bright blue, and either roaming the forest floor or swimming around. Richmond birdwing butterflies, spotted quolls, and lyrebirds also find home here. And on the very rare occasion, there have been dingoes spotted in the park.