The West Canungra Creek Circuit is a Challenging 14km Day Hike in Lamington National Park

Please note! As this trail is along a creek please avoid walking it after or during heavy rain as the creek may rise quickly.

 

Roz has walked the 14km West Canungra Creek Circuit in Queensland’s Lamington National Park multiple times and recommends it as a challenging day hike for those Explorers not afraid of a bit of rock scrambling and the possibility of getting wet!

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Yugambeh people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

The 14km West Canungra Creek Circuit is in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane. It can be walked either clockwise or anticlockwise.

West Canungra Creek Circuit Quick Facts

Distance: 14km
Duration: Allow 5.5 hours walking time
Nearest town: Canungra 35km away

Lamington National Park History

First Nations people lived in this area, carefully managing and using its rich natural resources for thousands of years. Known as ‘Woonoongoora’ in the Yugambeh language, the mountains of Lamington National Park are sacred and spiritual, places to be nurtured and respected.

The Yugambeh family groups are identified as the Wangerriburra, Birinburra, Gugingin, Migunberri, Mununjali, Bollongin, Minjungbal, and Kombumerri. They shared language, ceremonies, celebrations, and economic exchange. The Wangerriburra clan is a specific clan group who are the Traditional Custodians of the Canungra area. Their name is derived from the Yugambeh word that means ‘Pretty-faced wallaby people’.

In July 1915, 19,035ha of mountainous, forested land was declared Lamington National Park, in honour of the past Queensland Governor Lord Lamington. It was the state’s 9th national park gazetted under The State Forests and National Parks Act 1906 and accomplished after a 20-year campaign.

Lamington National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. The park contains many rare, threatened and endemic species. The Circuit is open 24 hours a day. You need to check with the rangers before attempting the walk if there has been very heavy rain. It sometimes gets closed due to tree falls and track damage.

Read more: 7 Tips for Rainy Day Hiking

Where to Stay in Lamington National Park

This walk can be completed in a day, including the drive up and back from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

However, if you’d like to make a weekend of it, there’s accommodation including cabins and camping at O’Reilly’s Guest House or at nearby towns such as Canungra, Beechmont, and Beaudesert.

Read more: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat – An Oasis in the Gold Coast Hinterland

How to Get to the West Canungra Creek Trail

Drive to the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, 110km south of Brisbane.  There’s no public transport, but it’s possible to catch a train to Robina and organise a private transfer, taxi or pre-booked shuttle up the mountain.

The circuit starts at O’Reilly’s in the Green Mountains day-use area at the end of Lamington National Park Road, 5.7km from the park entrance.

Track starts behind the picnic area at O’Reilly’s and branches off the Border Track.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Skill Level

Intermediate

This is a Grade 4 walking track and requires some skill with track finding and negotiating slippery creeks and muddy tracks. It’s good to have some support crossing the creeks if you have a fear of slipping and falling.

There can be tree falls in the area and you may need to climb over or under trees, but the rangers do an excellent job keeping the tracks cleared. Wearing shoes or boots with good grip and poles are very useful.  

It can be difficult to see where to cross the creek sometimes. Look for the orange marker on the other side of the creek and cross where it’s pointing.

Essential Gear for West Canungra Creek Circuit

• A daypack 
• 3L of water
• Morning tea and lunch
• A rain jacket and waterproof trousers if rain is predicted
• Map and compass/GPS
• Hat and sunscreen
• First aid kit
• Insect repellant/Tick freeze spray
• PLB
• Comfortable shoes or boots with good grip
• Gaiters
• Walking poles
• Camera/phone/portable charger – phone reception is sketchy
• Swimmers if willing to brave a swim with the eels or under a waterfall
• Dry change of clothes left in your car

What It’s Like to Walk the West Canungra Creek Circuit

The Queensland Parks recommend people walk the track in a clockwise direction, although some people choose to do an anticlockwise route to see the waterfalls early on.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

From O’Reilly’s, start on the Border Track until you come to the first intersection after about 600m, then take a sharp left on the clearly marked track. It’s then a straightforward walk through the thick rainforest down approximately 5km to the rock pools of West Canungra Creek and Yerralahla/Blue Pool. I’ve heard stories about a large eel that lives in the pool and went searching for it but didn’t see it on either of my two trips. The descent and climb is about 400m.

The track crosses the creek multiple times, and in places climbs quite high up beside it, which gives great views from the ridge down onto the creek through the bearded trees.

After a rest and snack, it’s approximately 9km back up following the creek. The circuit exits onto the Box Forest Circuit where you have a choice to turn left or right. The shortest way is to turn right and head straight back to O’Reilly’s. Most people choose the longer route by following the lower track along the creek to see all the other waterfalls and cascades, including Tollerigumal/Boxlog Falls, Elabana Falls, and Picnic Rock.

Both directions will take you back to the Border Track, and then it’s a straight walk back to O’Reilly’s.

The West Canungra Creek walk is very beautiful with lovely cascades and waterfalls along the way in the beautiful World Heritage rainforest. There are lots of creek crossings, which can be slippery and deep if it’s been raining.

The first time I did this walk the rocks across the creeks were dry and we all kept our feet dry. The next time was totally different with lots of water and wet rocks. Hiking poles are useful and sometimes it’s better to just wade through the water.

If you’re lucky, you may see a blue Lamington Spiny crayfish (Euastacus sulcatus) or a Murray’s Skink (Karma murrayi) (sometimes called the Blue Speckled Forest skink), as Lamington National Park is the northernmost tip of its small habitat range. I’ve seen both of these creatures on walks in the park.

Red-bellied black snakes live around the rainforest too, and pythons.  Some people have even been lucky to see a quoll on this walk.

Some parts of the track are a bit tricky. Keep an eye out for the orange markers nailed onto trees to show where to cross the creek. People have become lost on this walk, so take a map.

Read more: Navigating With a Map & Compass

Tips for the West Canungra Creek Circuit

• More and more dingoes are being reported within Lamington National Park, so it’s best not to do this walk alone
• I’ve also witnessed and experienced instances of stinging nettle, leeches, and ticks on this track, so be vigilant and prepared

West Canungra Creek Circuit FAQs

How long is the West Canungra Creek Circuit?

The whole circuit trail is 14km long and takes around 5.5 hours to walk.

Is the West Canungra Creek Circuit suitable for beginners?

No, the trail isn’t suitable for beginners or first time hikers as it involves multiple creek crossings, muddy tracks, and some wayfinding.

Keep Exploring Lamington National Park

• Rockhopper To Stairway Falls Hike in Lamington National Park
• Spot Tropical Birds in Lamington National Park’s Gondwana Rainforest (QLD)
• Wander Through Ancient Rainforests Along Lamington National Park’s 21km Border Track
• Hiking Lower Ballanjui Falls in Lamington National Park QLD