Albert River Circuit

Starting from Lamington National Park Road, O’Reilly, this circuit walk takes you deep into the lush rainforests of Lamington park, navigating partly along Albert River and visiting multiple waterfalls and lookouts. Expect to be amazed by the stunning view of the waterfalls and the interchanging vegetation throughout the track. Although the track is roughly 20 kilometres long, it may not feel like it as the tracks are gentle and undulating. When you’re near water, keep an eye out for the native Lamington crayfish, also known as the blue spiny crayfish due to its vibrant blue coloured shell. Other wildlife you can run into in the area are king parrots and dingoes. You’ll be going through some ancient Antarctic Beech trees along with other interesting rainforest plant species. The Echo Point camp site midway is meters away from the same-titled lookout, where you can get exceptional panoramic views to the south. During the day, you’ll be able to see many mountains and hills including Mount Warning, whereas the night offers you an exceptional opportunity for stargazing. Decent(preferably waterproof) hiking boots and gaiters are recommended against the muddy and leechy conditions. Keep an eye out for snakes. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Border Track & Lamington National Park Road (-28.2302929,153.1350277)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to then drive for 490 m Turn left onto Gilston Road and drive for another 1.7 km At roundabout, take exit 3 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 670 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 530 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 820 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 185 m Continue onto McLaren Road and drive for another 370 m Keep right onto Beaudesert - Nerang Road, 90, 8 and drive for another 175 m Continue onto Nerang - Murwillumbah Road, 97 and drive for another 1.2 km Turn right onto Clagiraba Road and drive for another 5.7 km Turn left onto Beaudesert - Nerang Road, 90, 8 and drive for another 10.7 km Turn left onto Kidston Street and drive for another 36 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Lamington National Park Road(in front of the Information Centre), head along the paved track gently downhill towards the said Information Centre, moving directly away from the road. Turn right before heading into the building and follow the paved track(Border Track) as it leads you into the woodland, keeping the road to your right. After about 375 metres, veer/keep right and stay on the Border Track. 1.8km into the trip(from the start), veer right at the fork and stay on the Border Track again. At the 4.85km waypoint(from start), turn sharp right at the 3-way intersection to continue along Albert River Circuit(counterclockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Border Track & Lamington National Park Road Start heading along Border Track (a walking track). O'Reilly's Cafe & Gifts (about 60 m back from the start). Find the National Parks & Wildlife Office at the start. After another 70 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left). After another 35 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 120 m pass a seat (7 m on your right).
	After another 135 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track. After another 400 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest. At the intersection of Border Track Connection & Border Track continue straight, to head along Border Track.
	After another 1 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
	After another 700 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Forestry Department Cairn Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
	After another 2.3 km (at the intersection of Albert River Circuit & Border Track) turn sharp right, to head along Albert River Circuit. After another 5 km cross the ford. After another 40 m pass the "Lightning Falls" (50 m on your right). After another 220 m pass the "Thunder Falls" (30 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional little side trip taking you to Echo Falls. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Continue straight, to head along Albert River Circuit. After another 105 m cross the ford. After another 210 m pass the "Gurrgunngulli Falls" (15 m on your right). After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Albert River Circuit. After another 40 m pass the "Mirror Falls" (15 m on your right). After another 345 m cross the ford. After another 50 m pass the "Joolbahla Falls" (6 m on your left). Then cross the ford. After another 125 m cross the ford. After another 8 m pass the "Gwahlahla Falls" (6 m on your right). After another 175 m cross the ford. After another 9 m pass the waterfall (25 m on your left). After another 1.1 km find the "Echo Point bush camp" (8 m on your right). Echo Point bush camp Metres away from the Echo Point Lookout. Advance booking needed. Continue straight, to head along Albert River Circuit. After another 200 m come to the "Echo Point Lookout" (25 m on your right).
	Turn left, to head along Albert River Circuit. After another 490 m come to the "Cominan Lookout" (on your right).
	After another 2.6 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Albert River Circuit) turn left, to head along Border Track.
	After another 40 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Albert River Circuit) veer right, to head along Border Track. After another 2.3 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Forestry Department Cairn Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track. After another 700 m (at the intersection of Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
	After another 1 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Border Track Connection) continue straight, to head along Border Track. After another 390 m (at the intersection of Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
	After another 380 m come to the end.

An optional little side trip taking you to Echo Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Albert River Circuit. Find the Thunder Falls at the start. After another 15 m come to "Echo Falls".
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Albert River Circuit

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	20.3 km
Time	5 h 30 min, 8 h to 2 days

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There is one 12.2 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 90 m from the start.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 6.8 km apart with the largest gap of 19.5 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	90 m	[toilet]
Seat	245 m	[seat]
Seat	780 m	[seat]
Campsite	12.2 km	Echo Point bush camp

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| parks.des.qld.gov.au

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Murwillumbah Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 17 January
  
  27°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely during this afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h tending south to southwesterly in the early afternoon then tending west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late evening. Daytime maximum temperatures in the mid to high 20s.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Far North Coast: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 11 [Extreme]
  
  Saturday 18 January
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  5 → 30mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h before dawn. Overnight temperatures falling to around 19 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s.
  
  Sunday 19 January
  
  20°C → 27°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the north. Winds southerly 25 to 40 km/h becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 19 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s.
  
  Monday 20 January
  
  16°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 14 and 17 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s.
  
  Tuesday 21 January
  
  16°C → 32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Wednesday 22 January
  
  19°C → 37°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Thursday 23 January
  
  22°C → 34°C
  Possible shower developing.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower developing.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Lamington National Park alerts
  Severe weather damage - Advisory notice - Toolona Creek circuit.
  As a result of severe weather damage, there are multiple fallen trees and a significant landslip on the Toolona Creek circuit between the Box Forest junction and Triple Falls. QPWS advise visitors to allow additional time and take extra caution when walking the Toolona Creek circuit. Affected parks: Lamington National Park
  If it's flooded, forget it - even on our walking tracks! (update 17 Dec)
  As a result of recent heavy rainfall, some walking tracks within the above-mentioned protected areas may be experiencing natural hazards, such as creeks with rising and fast flowing water, flash flooding, and potential for landslides and rock falls. Bushwalkers may also encounter falling trees or recently fallen trees, due to soft, saturated ground. Affected parks: Tamborine National Park; Springbrook National Park; Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk; Lamington National Park
  Temporary track closure - Illinbah circuit (update)
  As a result of severe weather, the Illinbah circuit will remain temporarily closed until declared safe. High amounts of rainfall have resulted in significant landslips and fallen trees across the walking track. Affected parks: Lamington National Park
  Annual closure period for all Lamington bush camping areas
  Due to the annual closure period, all remote bush camping sites are closed from 1 December to 31 January the following year (2 months), to enable natural regeneration of the sites. Affected parks: Lamington National Park; Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk
  Severe weather damage - Advisory notice - Albert River circuit. (update 26 Nov)
  As a result of severe weather damage, there are multiple fallen trees on the Albert River circuit. The majority of the fallen trees are between the second turn off on the Border track and Echo Point. Affected parks: Lamington National Park
  Partial track closure - Coomera circuit. (update)
  As a result of severe weather damage, a section of the Coomera circuit will remain temporarily closed until declared safe. Affected parks: Lamington National Park
  Temporary walking track closure - Lower Bellbird track. (update 28 Oct)
  Due to the potential for rock fall associated with construction works on private property above the Lower Bellbird track, a section of the walking track will be temporarily closed between Rankins Paddock and the junction of the Ships Stern circuit until further notice, to ensure visitor safety. Affected parks: Lamington National Park; Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk
  
  Alert kindly provided by © Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts