Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Highlights – 5 Days

SELF-GUIDED

Group-guided

Self-guided

OVERVIEW

Hike through the largest protected area of subtropical rainforest in the world. Here, massive Strangler Figs, ancient Antarctic Beech, Red Cedar and Rosewood tower overhead whilst hundreds of different species of palms, vines, ferns and orchids flourish beneath. This is Gondwana Rainforest at its very best.

The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk track starts in Lamington National Park and traverses a landscape at least as old as the dinosaurs, linking the World Heritage-listed Lamington and Springbrook plateaus. We have selected the most scenic tracks through this unspoilt rainforest for a truly mesmerising walk.

Highlights

The stunning Moran Falls and lush subtropical rainforest
Incredible views from the McPherson Range
Cascading streams, crystal-clear creaks, towering waterfalls and breathtaking lookouts
Walking up to the top of the Springbrook Plateau via the breathtaking Purling Brook Falls
Ample opportunities to sit, relax and soak up the surrounding beauty

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK

SELF GUIDED

TRIP LENGTH

5 DAYS

WALK GRADE

Moderate

PRICE FROM

$ 2495

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

$ 745

per person

DOWNLOAD PDF

Departure Dates

Book now

ITINERARY

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

DAY 1
PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM GOLD COAST TO O'REILLY'S

Start at the Gold Coast airport in Coolangatta in the morning or early afternoon, with a private transfer into the mountains. There is no walking scheduled for today but there are plenty of facilities to enjoy at the guesthouse and optional activities you can participate in. O’Reilly’s is renowned for its bird life with more than 160 species of sub-tropical birds breeding in this fertile area. The striking black and yellow Regent Bowerbird is a real highlight along with soaring wedge-tailed eagles, rosellas, lorikeets and cockatoos. Don’t miss the early morning guided bird walk each morning.

Walking: Easy / 2 km / 1 hr

Meals: Three course dinner in O’Reilly’s restaurant

Accommodation: O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat in ensuited rooms

DAY 2
BOX FOREST AND MORAN FALLS CIRCUITS IN LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK

The morning walk is an excellent introduction to the unique flora and fauna of the area. The sheer size of the Gold Coast Hinterland and variety of flora makes the walking a remarkable experience. Hug the ‘Wishing Tree’ and walk to stunning Moran Falls. After a break at O’Reilly’s, the afternoon walk criss-crosses pretty Canungra Creek. Walk through this lush sub-tropical rainforest with impressive stands of Brush Box and Piccabeen palms. Climb the giant fig tree and explore the different levels of the rainforest on the Tree Tops Walk. Other regularly seen wildlife include red-necked pademelons, pygmy possums, sugar gliders, platypuses, bandicoots and wallabies, providing a true cornucopia of Australian native fauna.

Walking: Moderate / 16kms / 5.5–6.5 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and Three course dinner in O’Reilly’s restaurant

Accommodation: O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat in ensuited rooms

DAY 3
BORDER TRACK ACROSS TO BINNA BURRA

Today, you’ll walk across the Lamington National Park rainforest plateau on the Border Track to Binna Burra Lodge. This is the longest section of the walk and follows the Border Track, and at 25 km it’s a long way but the route is reasonably flat and easy. The trek across the McPherson Range is sure to be a highlight for many. The Lamington plateau sections through the rainforest are punctuated by cascading streams, crystal-clear creeks, towering waterfalls and breath-taking lookouts offer delightful resting and lunch spots.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 25.5 km / 6 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two course dinner at Binna Burra

Accommodation: Sky Lodges Binna Burra in rooms with ensuites

DAY 4
NUMINBAH TO SPRINGBROOK PLATEAU VIA PURLING BROOK FALLS

From the Numinbah, 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 before Purling Brook Falls takes your breath away.

Walking: Moderate / 13km / 5–5.5 hrs / easier option available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Mouse’s House in rooms with ensuites

DAY 5
PRIVATE TRANSFER BACK TO GOLD COAST

After breakfast, you’ll be transported back to the Gold Coast airport or your hotel in Coolangatta, to end this vacation.

Meals: Breakfast

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel

5 day pack free walking holiday
Luggage transport, we shift you along the track from accommodation to accommodation to limit time in a vehicle, creating more time to relax and enjoy the region
Private transfers including pick up and drop off at the Coolangatta Airport or the Gold Coast
4 nights’ accommodation with ensuites
Cooked breakfasts, mostly chef-prepared two-course dinners and substantial Walkers Lunches each day
Worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s navigation app, travel book, maps & info pack
Insulated lunch bag and luggage tags

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

The accommodations are excellent on this walk; the superb Sky Lodges offer incredible views and the cabins at Sprinbrook are built right over the Twin Falls Creek offer one of the most tranquil environments that you will experience anywhere. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Resort is a wonderful place to start the walk. The rooms and facilities are excellent and there are ample opportunities for extra walking. All the accommodations are within national park confines or in a beautiful natural setting. All the rooms have ensuites.

The two course dinners at O’Reillys are prepared by professional chefs, as are the cooked breakfasts.

Each day whilst you’re walking you’ll be provided with a substantial Walkers Lunch and get to eat it at a fabulous location on the track. A Walkers Lunch is varied and may include a high protein type salad, roll or a wrap, muesli bar, cake or muffin and a piece of fruit.

Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

NIGHTS 1 & 2

LAMINGTON

The first 2 nights are spent in the relative luxury at O’Reillys Rainforest Resort firmly ensconced inside Lamington National park. The 2-course dinners are served to you in the restaurant as are the cooked breakfasts. The rooms have magnificent views over the plains and at night you have the added benefit of watching the sunset from your room. There’s a huge amount of additional walks that can be done around your accommodation if you arrive early on Day 1 or have extra time on day 2.
NIGHT 3

BINNA BURRA

The Lodges at Binna Burra have possibly the best views of any accommodation in Australia. Perched right on the cliff at Binna Burra one can see all the way over the plains all the way back to the Gold Coast. The rooms come with an expansive lounge and all the bedrooms have ensuites.
NIGHT 4

SPRINGBROOK

The Chalets you stay in at The Mouses House Rainforest Retreat in Springbrook sit right over the top of the creek that feeds Twin Falls. The sound of running water at night soothes you to sleep, not that you need much help having walked the toughest part of the walk up to the Springbrook Plateau. The forest is right at your doorstep, literary as the rooms/cottages are scattered around the property in amongst the forest. All the rooms have ensuites.

FITNESS GUIDE

It’s well worth investing some time and effort preparing for your walking holiday. The graph shows the average daily distance, elevation and terrain difficulty for your hike. The dotted line indicates the average across all our walks, which will give you a feel for how challenging your walk is compared to all – and the recommended type, and amount, of preparation needed. Of course, you can adapt this according to your existing fitness levels and lifestyle.

The graph and the information below can be used in conjunction with the fitness guide to help you prepare for your walking adventure. Across all walks, average daily distance is 16.8km, average daily elevation is 448m, average terrain difficulty is 5/10.

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - ~AVERAGE

Elevation training should be a consideration in your overall training program.

Try to include some form of elevation in more than 40% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

UNEVEN TERRAIN

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a blend of physical and mental readiness.

Begin with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is especially important, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement.

The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

GENERAL INFO

The Gold Coast Hinterland Walk connects the Lamington and Springbrook Plateaus together via the Numinbah Valley. You’ll generally progress in a west to east direction with some circuit walks ensuring you experience the best of this ancient and spectacular landscape.

Starting and finishing on plateaus means there are some reasonably steep descents and gradual climbs. The highest point of the walk is a little under 1200m above sea level.

You can expect to walk on a variety of distinct, well-marked, well-maintained tracks. Some rough track surfaces have exposed roots, steep grades, sets of steps and creek crossings and require extra care. However, walking under the sun-dappled shade of the canopy is always delightful.

You’ll be walking an average of about 15km each day, compared to the longer 25km day along the iconic Border Track. Mostly, you’ll walk in and out from your accommodation, meaning more time to enjoy the walk’s landscapes and scenery each day. We move your luggage ahead to your next accommodation at each stage, so all you need to carry is what you need for the day.

Please Note: For larger group bookings, on your nights in the Sky Lodges at Binna Burra, not all the bedrooms will have views overlooking the Coomera & Numinbah Valleys. The Sky Lodges we allocate will have two or three bedrooms (each with their own ensuite bathroom) and large communal living areas which open up to a spacious decking area for you to enjoy the views. With this in mind, the rooms with a view will be allocated to the bookings that are received first.

HOW TO GET THERE

We provide return transfers from the Gold Coast Airport, Coolangatta and Gold Coast located hotels.

WEATHER

The cooler months of May to August are best as there is low humidity and the temperature is usually very pleasant for walking. It can be very warm and humid from September to November and again from March to April. Not available over the summer months of December to February.

See the Bureau of Meteorology’s information about average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.

Weather Graph Ave temp Gold Coast

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

MAP

DEPARTURE DATES

DATES

AVAILABILITY

PRICE
PER PERSON

Single Occupancy

DETAILS
1 Mar 2024 - 30 Nov 2024

AVAILABLE

^from
$2495

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$745

5 Day

BOOK NOW
1 Mar 2025 - 30 Nov 2025

AVAILABLE

^from
$2695

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$775

This walk MUST start on a Mon; Thur; Fri; Sat or Sun to avoid a 3 night minimum weekend stay and weekend surcharges at Mouse's House

BOOK NOW
1 Mar 2026 - 30 Nov 2026

AVAILABLE

^from
$2805

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$805

This walk MUST start on a Mon; Thur; Fri; Sat or Sun to avoid a 3 night minimum weekend stay and weekend surcharges at Mouse's House

BOOK NOW

REVIEWS

Customer Reviews

5 nights stay in a family-run or small traditional minshuku, ryokan or hotel
Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfers (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day (except one night in Karuizawa where there are so many options that you should decide)
Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfers most days from accommodation to accommodation (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days
Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and maps
24/7 support from our representatives on the ground

Overview