This 4-day pack-free hiking experience traverses along the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk - one of the top 5 walks of Queensland.
The track winds for 54km along the rim of an ancient volcano and through a unique World Heritage Area - Australia's largest remnant of ancient subtropical Gondwana Rainforests and is why the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk is so special. Extending from O'Reilly's past Binna Burra and onto Nerang Creek and Purling Brook Falls, this unique and special region is not to be missed.
We take all the planning out of your trip so you can focus on the experience and you'll only need to carry a day pack. We provide return transport from Brisbane to the Gold Coast in a comfortable 12 seater bus with luggage trailer, along with all track transfers for the duration. Your two AW Guides will transport you each day to the next section of the trail. One guide will accompany you on the hike to share knowledge of the area and ensure a safe journey each day.
Our accommodation base is a stunning house nestled at the foothills of the Gold Coast Hinterland, where you'll enjoy daily home-cooked meals prepared by your guides. All meals and snacks are supplied, including a celebratory lunch on the last day.
Walk Information:
54kms in distance
Grade 4 - Australian Bushwalking Standards - suitable for experienced bushwalkers * Please note this is a Grade 4 Walk and requires a moderate level of fitness to complete this adventure. Some sections of this walk are remote without vehicle access
At a Glance:
Day 1: Our private bus will take us to the Gold Coast before arriving at our Accommodation. Natural arch for late afternoon / night walk for glow worm experience - 1.5kms approx - L,D & with afternoon snacks.
Day 2: Walk border track O'Riellys to Binna Burra - 22 kms approx B,L,D, snacks
Day 3: Binna Burra to Apple Tree Park via Numinbah is 25 kms approx B,L,D,snacks
Day 4: Apple Tree Park to Springbrook is 8 kms approx B,L
● Hiking the complete Great Walk Trail carrying a day pack only (no heavy packs)
● Mountains, waterfalls & forests of Lamington & Springbrook National Park's
● World Heritage Area - Australia's largest remnant of ancient subtropical Gondwana Rainforests
● 2000-year-old Antarctic beech trees
● Celebration lunch at a Local Restaurant/Winery on the final day
Leaving mid-morning we will head to the Gold Coast Seaway. Here we will enjoy a picnic lunch and a stroll around the parkland. Don't forget your swimmers as there is an opportunity to swim. From here we will travel to our accommodation in the Nerang Hinterland, where we will settle in and have some light refreshments.
Then it's back on the bus for our first walk together! This afternoon we will be heading to Natural Arch in Springbrook National Park. We will descend the sealed path through ancient Gondwana rainforest to the rock arch with its unique waterfall and rock pool formation. Microbats and glow worms are often seen in the caves with the area also home to many rare and threatened species like the cascade tree frog, tusked frog, sooty owl and koala. Hoop pines emerging from surrounding forests are living relics of the Jurassic Age, 180 million years ago. A true gem in the crown of the Gold Coast hinterland. We will be visiting this area in the late afternoon so we hopefully have the opportunity to catch the Glow Worms!
Meals: Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Today the bus will take us to the first section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, often referred to as The Border Track. It traverses from Green Mountain/O'Riellys across to Binna Burra. It is the backbone of the Lamington walking track system. Today we will experience the misty forests of 2000-year-old Antarctic beech trees, dense rainforest, stunning waterfalls & panoramic views. It is common to hear the calls of catbirds. lyrebirds, cockatoos and bowerbirds along this part of the track.
The bus will be at Binna Burra to return us to our accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Our First Nations people gave this destination the name of Binna Burra - "where the beech tree grows".
The bus will drop us off at Binna Burra. From here we head down through beautiful beech tree forests, past gigantic strangler figs and cliff lines of volcanic rock. We take in views of the Numinbah Valley from the lookouts along the way. The Lower Bellbird Track is where the GCHGW branches off.
The landscape changes to dry rainforest, as we continue into the Kurraragin Valley area. Here we pass through forests of piccabeen palms, large red cedar and graceful flooded gum with the towering form of Egg Rock or Kurraragin, appearing through the trees in the distance.
According to Yugambeh legend, Kurraragin was a giant who battled the enormous landforms around him to become king of all the mountains.
At Numinbah Valley we will be meet by the bus for lunch & toilet break. After our break we continue on to the Woonoongoora walkers camp, then up the infamous 900 steps to Apple Tree Park. Another big day!
The bus will be at Apple Tree Park to return us to our accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
The final section of this incredible walk:
After breakfast we pack our bags, load up the bus and head back to Apple Tree Park. From here the track winds down to a creek crossing at Little Nerang Creek, then traverses along the opposite side of the creek up to Warringa Pool. At this pool depending on the amount of water, there maybe be an additional creek crossing. We continue on to Purling Brook Falls. This is one of Springbrook NP most spectacular waterfalls, a perfect place to
stop & enjoy morning tea. The track is a steady climb back to the top of the plateau to Settlement campground - the finale of this epic walk.
It is back on the bus for a quick drive to a beautiful local restuarant or winery for a celebratory lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Two Experienced Adventurous Women Guides
QLD National Park Permits
Comfortable Transport to/from Brisbane in 12 Seater Bus (with attached luggage trailer)
Daily Track Transport
Comfortable twin or triple share accommodation
Quality Meals as per the itinerary
Celebration Lunch on the final day
Photos of your experience
4 Lunches
3 Snacks
3 Dinners
3 Breakfasts
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature
- Gear List will be provided well in advance to help you prepare
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
60 days plus prior to trip departure - Full Refund Minus $50 admin fee
59 - 30 days prior to trip departure - Loss of Deposit
29 - 15 days prior to trip departure - 100% of the Tour Cost / Deposit
Within 14 days of the trip departure - 100% Of The Tour Cost