5 Days: Monday 13th to Friday 17th August 2012

3 Nights: Binna Burra Lodge

1 Nights: O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat

Lamington National Park, in the south east of Queensland, is a walker’s paradise. Park Treks walking holiday in Lamington NP begins gets underway once we’ve picked you up from the Coolangatta Airport. We have only a very short distance to cover before we make a start on a full and satisfying five-day walking holiday. The area has such an extensive network of trails. Included in a day’s walk are pristine waterfalls, spectacular escarpments that turn molten gold in the setting sun and dense and rich variety of plant and animal life. And to make the trip extra special we’ve chosen to stay at the famous Binna Burra Lodge and O’Reilly’s Guesthouse to create a wonderful walking experience.

This trip is part of a Park Trek 2UP. If you book this trip and our Sunshine Coast Hinterland trip, which runs from Monday 6th August to Friday 10th August 2012, your combined outlay is $3180.00. This represents a combined saving of $200.00 for both trips.

DAY 1

We’ll be starting this trip from the Gold Coast airport in Coolangatta with a pick up at 10.00am. This means you have the option of flying in on the day. Our coach then takes us away from the commercial sprawl and up to Binna Burra Lodge. Here we leave our bags and head to the Teahouse for a sumptuious lunch. Make sure you have your hiking boots and daypack ready to go as we'll be walking immediately after lunch. Our first days walk in the area is to the Coomera River, the pulse of Lamington National Park. Here we enjoy a fabulous 10-kilometre walk that takes in fantastic views of the surrounding lush valley and some iconic waterfalls. Then it’s back to Binna Burra Lodge where we get settled in for the evening.

Dinner tonight is in the friendly surrounds of Binna Burra. There is no a la carte dining at Binna Burra. Instead they have a host of dishes available and all you do is line up for what you want. There is no shortage of food and you can go back as many times as you wish.

Alcohol is not provided by Park Trek on the trip, instead you must buy your own from the licensed bar.

A lunch order form is passed around at dinner time and you tick off what you want the restaurant to make for you the next morning. Typically lunches are ready to be picked up from the reception at around 8.30am just as we are about to head off.

About our accommodation...

Our lodgings here at Binna Burra are basic twin share rooms with tea/coffee facilities and room configuartions of a double bed and a set of bunk beds. Bathroom amenities are separate and shared. Typically we are given rooms that closely adjoin the bathroom amenities. Rooming upgrades are available. Costs are listed at the very bottom. You can also opt to have a room all to yourself.

DAY 2

Time to lace up the walking boots today, we’re off to do a delightful 19-kilometre walk known as the Ships Stern Bluff. Today we will go from immersing ourselves deep in the rainforest to lookouts with views across to the Springwood National Park. The escarpment views here are simply stunning. Our lunch spot is particularly well chosen. When our days walking concludes late afternoon you know you have the quiet of your room and the friendly glow of Binna Burra to relax your mind and your body. Binna Burra has an excellent library and the reception area has a huge fire and makes a great place for a chat and coffee after you've cleaned yourself up from your days walking.

Dinner again this evening is in the Binna Burra Restaurant.

DAY 3

We’ll take an easier option today with a 12-kilometre walk of immense variety and interest know as Dave’s Creek circuit. We usually appoint Chris Duncan to join us, one of the most knowledgeable guides you'll ever meet. Chris has a great warmth but he's also hilarious and great company for the day. We’d expect to finish this walk mid-afternoon leaving you with the option of either taking it easy for the rest of the afternoon or perhaps you might fancy doing a short walk in the nearby surrounds of Binna Burra. There is such an abundance of trails in the Lamington National Park that you can get as much walking as you like, or be as relaxed as you like and just take in the surrounds at a more gentler pace.

DAY 4

We’ve saved the best walk until today. This morning we bid a sad farewell to Binna Burra as we depart on foot along the famous Border Track for O’Reilly’s Guest House waiting for us at the other end. This 22-kilometre stretch takes us along the backbone of the escarpment and affords us superb views and an intimate rainforest experience. The views into the Green Cauldron, looking back towards Mt Warning, are simply breath taking. Typically the track is in good condition but it can also be muddy in places, especially in and around creek crossings.

By late afternoon we should be comfortably ensconced in the beautiful surrounds of O’Reilly’s where a well appointed room and a final nights dinner awaits to cap off one of the best day walk experiences this country has to offer. Please note that your luggage will be transported around to O’Reilly’s while you walk the trail with your lightweight daypack.

DAY 5

So how are you feeling this morning? Do you fancy a few short walks of between 3 – 4 kilometres or do you prefer a longer 11 kilometre stroll that takes you passed waterfalls and into the rainforest that by now has you thoroughly engaged? You can decide over breakfast what you’d fancy doing. We aim to have everyone back in Coolangatta by late afternoon, close to 5 pm allowing us time aplenty to get the most out of this delightful area before heading home.

NOTE:  Single supplements are available for an additional $280.00 for all four nights.  Room upgrades at Binna Burra are available for an additional $150.00

Price: $ 1690 (ex-Coolangatta/Gold Coast) (incl. GST)