Border Track

5 h, 8 h to 2 days

20.9 km
oneway

↑ 1092 m
↓ -1223 m

Moderate track
Starting from Lamington National Park Road, O’Reilly, this walk takes you to the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge Campsite via the Border Track, visiting many lookouts and waterfalls along the way. Embark on a 20km+ journey through the interchanging vegetation of Lamington National Park that is full of views and refreshing landmarks. The singular well-signposted and shaded track combined with the forgiving gradient makes this walk suitable for more. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous antarctic beech trees near Mount Wanungara. The lookouts provide different points of view over the land, with some letting you see all the way to the Gold Coast. There are cafes and accommodation options on both ends, so you can make this into a multi-day return walk as well. There is also the Mount Bithongabel Campsite along the track, giving you an option to split the journey up. Good hiking shoes are recommended as some parts of the track are rocky and muddy. Look out for snakes in warmer months. 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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Full Journey Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk
Start At the intersection of Border Track & Lamington National Park Road (-28.2302929,153.1350277)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Pacific Motorway, M1
  • Turn on to then drive for 265 m
  • Keep right and drive for another 75 m
  • Turn right onto Nerang - Broadbeach Road, 90 and drive for another 660 m
  • Turn left onto Price Street, 90, 8 and drive for another 3.9 km
  • 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 35.9 km
Finish (-28.1982987,153.1871982)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car  
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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 to stay on the Border Track to continue along Border Track: O'Reilly's to Binna Burra.....
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 55 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your right).
After another 15 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
Then pass the shelter (15 m on your right).
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.
Keep right.
After another 400 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to a set of observation decks built literally in a Strangler Fig, with one of them being 30 metres above the ground. You can observe the flora and birdlife from close proximinity as the interpretive signs help you identify plants. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip turn around when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
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.
Keep right.
After another 700 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Forestry Department Cairn Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
Keep left.
After another 2.3 km (at the intersection of Albert River Circuit & Border Track) veer left, to head along Border Track.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Albert River Circuit & Border Track) veer left, to head along Border Track.
After another 800 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Naturalists’ Cairn track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
Keep right.
After another 130 m pass the "Mount Bithongabel" (on your right).
After another 280 m come to the "Mount Bithongabel bush camp site" (30 m on your right).
Veer left, to head along Border Track.
After another 215 m come to the "Lookout".
After another 440 m come to the "Toolona Lookout" (10 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 640 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Toolona Creek Circuit) veer right, to head along Border Track.
After another 115 m come to the "Wanungara Lookout" (25 m on your right).
At the intersection of Main Border Track & Border Track turn left, to head along Border Track.
After another 990 m come to the "Nyamulli Lookout" (15 m on your right).
Turn left, to head along Border Track.
After another 2.2 km pass the "Mount Merino" (110 m on your right).
After another 570 m come to the "Chakoonya Lookout" (on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Merino Lookout, visiting Beereenbano Lookout along the way. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 75 m (at the intersection of Merino Lookout Track & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 760 m pass the "Biby" (65 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to the Dacelo Lookout via the Mount Hobwee Circuit Track. Providing you southeasterly views over the land, this return trip will add around 20 minutes to your journey. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 460 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Mount Hobwee Circuit) turn left, to head along Border Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to Goorawa Falls along Coomera River. You can head upstream to view more waterfalls if you'd like. The out & back trip to Goowara Falls may add up to 10 minutes to your journey. To start this optional side trip turn sharp left here. On returning from this side trip turn around when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 950 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Coomera Circuit) veer right, to head along Border Track.
After another 2.1 km (at the intersection of Mount Hobwee Track & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 880 m come to the "Joalah Lookout".
After another 20 m pass a seat (15 m on your left)., has no backrest.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to Nagarigoon Falls, visiting a camp site along the way. May add about 40 minutes to your journey. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 2.2 km (at the intersection of Daves Creek Circuit & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 450 m pass a seat (on your left)., has no backrest.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Tullawallal Lookout. The track circles around the said lookout for a gradual, steady incline/decline. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
At the intersection of Border Track & Coomera Circuit continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 450 m cross the ford.
After another 890 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Rainforest Circuit) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 460 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Rainforest Circuit) continue straight.
After another 40 m pass the sign.
After another 35 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
After another 25 m come to the "Binna Burra Mountain Lodge Campsite" (65 m on your right).
Then pass the car park (10 m on your right).
Veer right, to head along Binna Burra Road.
After another 20 m turn right.
After another 40 m pass the "Binna Burra Teahouse" (15 m on your right).

Mo-Fr 09:30-15:30
Sa 07:30-20:00
Su 07:30-16:00
After another 6 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Tullawallal Lookout. The track circles around the said lookout for a gradual, steady incline/decline.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Border Track & Tullawallal Circuit Start heading along Tullawallal Circuit (a walking track).
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Tullawallal Circuit & Tullawallal Trail) veer right, to head along Tullawallal Trail.
After another 730 m come to "Tullawallal Lookout".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 770 m to the main route.

An optional side trip taking you to Nagarigoon Falls, visiting a camp site along the way. May add about 40 minutes to your journey.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Border Track & Daves Creek Circuit Start heading along Daves Creek Circuit (a walking track).
After 760 m cross the ford.
After another 95 m cross the ford.
After another 185 m cross the ford.
After another 65 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 25 m pass the sign (6 m on your left).
Continue straight, to head along Daves Creek Circuit.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Daves Creek Circuit & Ship's Stern Circuit) turn left, to head along Ship's Stern Circuit.
After another 85 m come to the "Nagarigoon Clearing" (20 m on your right).
Campsite managed byQld Parks & Wildlife.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Ship's Stern Circuit.
After another 35 m cross the ford.
About 10 m past the end is "Nagarigoon Falls".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.3 km to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you to Goorawa Falls along Coomera River. You can head upstream to view more waterfalls if you'd like. The out & back trip to Goowara Falls may add up to 10 minutes to your journey.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Coomera Circuit & Border Track Start heading along Coomera Circuit (a walking track).
After another 285 m come to a ford.
About 15 m past the end is "Goorawa Falls".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 285 m to the main route.

An optional side trip taking you to the Dacelo Lookout via the Mount Hobwee Circuit Track. Providing you southeasterly views over the land, this return trip will add around 20 minutes to your journey.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Border Track & Mount Hobwee Circuit Start heading along Mount Hobwee Circuit (a walking track).
After another 325 m (at the intersection of Dacelo Lookout Track & Mount Hobwee Circuit) turn sharp right, to head along Dacelo Lookout Track.
After another 245 m come to "Dacelo Lookout".
Continue another 0 m to find Dacelo Lookout at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 570 m to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you to the Merino Lookout, visiting Beereenbano Lookout along the way.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Border Track & Merino Lookout Track Start heading along Merino Lookout Track (a walking track).
After 225 m come to the "Beereenbano Lookout".
After another 195 m come to "Merino Lookout".
Continue another 0 m to find Merino Lookout at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 420 m to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you to a set of observation decks built literally in a Strangler Fig, with one of them being 30 metres above the ground. You can observe the flora and birdlife from close proximinity as the interpretive signs help you identify plants.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Border Track Connection & Border Track Start heading along Border Track Connection (a walking track).
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Border Track Connection.
After another 100 m (at the intersection of Booyong Walk & Border Track Connection) veer right, to head along Booyong Walk.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Booyong Walk & Tree Top Walk) continue straight, to head along Booyong Walk.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Booyong Walk & Tree Top Walk) continue straight, to head along Tree Top Walk.
Keep left.
After another 50 m veer left, to head along Tree Top Walk.
Then cross the bridge
After another 40 m cross the bridge
Then come to "Tree Top Walk Ladder".
Continue another 0 m to find Tree Top Walk Ladder at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 400 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Border Track


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 20.9 km
Time 5 h, 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 Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Camp site: There are 3 on route, on average they are 5.8 km apart with the largest gap of 13.7 km.

Shelter: There is one 90 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 7 km apart with the largest gap of 20.8 km.

Seat: There are 5 on route, on average they are 3.9 km apart with the largest gap of 15.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
90 m[toilet]
Shelter
90 m[shelter]
Seat
245 m[seat]
Seat
780 m[seat]
Camp site
6.1 kmMount Bithongabel bush camp site
Seat
16.4 km[seat]
Seat
18.6 km + 1.1 km[seat]
Camp site
18.6 km + 1.2 kmNagarigoon Clearing
Seat
19 km[seat]
Toilet
20.9 km[toilet]
Camp site
20.9 kmBinna Burra Mountain Lodge Campsite
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