Spotlight: Woonoongoora (Lamington National Park)

Lamington National Park covers 20,600 hectares (51,000 acres), so there is a lot to explore. It is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the world.

The area is pristine and renowned for its beautiful waterfalls, while it’s home to a large variety of birds, plants and animals – including some rare and endangered species such as the Albert's lyrebird.

This is THE place to come for families to immerse themselves in nature, through camping and bushwalks. There are more than 160km of walking trails, including the 21.4km Border Track stretching from Binna Burra to Green Mountain (otherwise known as O’Reilly’s).

I love Lamington National Park; it is my family’s happy place! Get the kids out into nature.

As a mum of two, family car journalist, and founder of BabyDrive.com.au, here are my family’s Top 6 things to do at the Binna Burra end of Woonoongoora Lamington National Park…

Camping in the rainforest! We camp at Binna Burra Lodge in a Thule Approach L family roof tent on top of the Nissan Patrol Warrior, nestled in the rainforest and surrounded by towering trees, birds and nature.

At night, high off the ground, we look out the skylights of the roof tent at the trees and stars… It’s bliss!

The campsite is very well equipped with fantastic facilities: hot showers, fire pits, laundry, kitchen and barbecues.

For those who arrive without enough food for their stay, the nearby Tea House sells fantastic barbecue packs (including vegetarian options) which are very abundant and reasonably priced – one pack fed our family of four for multiple delicious meals.

If you are not quite ready for camping, there are even glamping options available.

The Rainforest Circuit is a great first walk for families, especially those who haven’t done much bushwalking before.

This short 1.2km circuit starts from the trailhead by the Tea House cafe. It’s a gentle walk without any steep hills or inclines, meaning it’s easy for most abilities.

There are giant strangler figs, huge twisting vines, ferns and fungi to look at. You can hear cat birds (which sound like crying babies) and the whip birds calling to each other. If you look up you’ll spot them in the trees too.

If you are only visiting for the day, you can do this enjoyable 30-45-minute walk and have a nice lunch at the Tea House while enjoying the view across the valley to the Gold Coast in the distance.

Daves Creek Circuit is a 12km undulating walk. It’s said to take four hours but it took us seven with two kids in tow!

It’s a rewarding trek through a great diversity of lush rainforests, mallee woodland, grass trees, giant eucalypts and montane heathlands.

Listen for cat birds crying, whip birds and wompoo pigeons in the canopy above.

Huge buttress roots line the track and towering strangler figs reach high into the sky. Carnivorous Sundew plants are easily spotted in the wet areas too.

Beautiful creek crossings along the way lead to a branch off to Nagarigoon Falls, a majestic waterfall.

Climb Surprise Rock for stunning views across the landscape towards the ocean. Created from volcanic rock, the kids can spot the gas bubbles in the solidified magma.

Caves Circuit winds along cliff faces, through dense bush and open forest, looking over Darlington Range and into the Coomera Valley.

It’s a 7km return walk, or you can do a quicker 2km return to Kweebani Cave and back to the information centre.

Cliffs and overhanging caves make an exciting walk for kids. Look for the wasps nests in the largest cave but beware of falling rocks!

Giant stinging trees are prevalent in the forest here, their enormous heart-shaped leaves littering the path. You can also spot the trapdoor spider homes in the first banks. Don’t touch either!

The Tullawallal Circuit is 5km return from the trailhead but can be linked to the 11km Coomera Falls Lookout track.

The exciting Tullawallal Circuit leads through subtropical rainforest to an altitude of 950m, where the cool temperate rainforest is home to majestic Antarctic Beech trees – some over 2000 years old.

The Coomera Falls Lookout walk crosses many stunning creeks. Look for the blue crayfish that call them home. Fungi, epiphytes, ferns and strangler figs make this a rich and magical walk.

Once you reach the lookout you can see the Coomera Falls plunging 150m into a deep gorge. It is breathtaking and well worth what for us was a day-long walk with our kids.

After a day exploring and walking the tracks of Lamington National Park, the cosy Groom’s Cottage is a welcome retreat.

The upstairs reading room tells of the history of Groom’s Cottage and of the establishment of Lamington National Park. It also has a good selection of games and books for children – perfect for rainy days!

In the evening downstairs hosts a modest bar with a delicious pizza menu. Sit outside and enjoy pizza and a beer while the kids play on the enormous grass lawn. There are wonderful views down Numinbah Valley, over the Hinze Dam and with the Gold Coast skyline in the distance.