Gold Coast’s world of nature
(Published in The Sunday Telegraph)
JURASSIC Park and world heritage listings are not concepts you usually associate with the gaudy Gold Coast, unless you’re at Movie World on the latest theme ride. But that’s exactly what you can uncover 60 minutes drive from the coastline in the green jewels sitting quietly inland.
Lamington National Park and its surrounds feature the world’s largest remnant of subtropical rainforest earning it world heritage status, promising to transform its visitors back to an age when large trees and dinosaurs reigned.
The road from Murwillumbah provides you with captive scenery and the best understanding of how this region has taken shape in the last 20 million years, the hinterland the last remnants of the Tweed Shield volcanic cone.
Mark Natural Bridge in the Numinbah Valley on your map for an evocative introduction to this timeless area. A melodic one-hour walk among hoop pines from the Jurassic Age and strangle vines and figs that defy gravity will send your imagination projecting into the pages of Harry Potter.
The highlight is nature’s crafting of a rock bridge with an alluring cave and gently pattering waterfall underneath, as if you had found the home of the elusive sorceress yourself. Head there at night with a torch to see glow-worms emitting alien green lights, their number stronger and more appealing in summer.
Back in the car relax as the road gently carves through broccoli-like hills and remind yourself you are now in Yugambeh country, a spiritually significant region for the indigenous people. Spot quaint small towns offering the ‘ the best coffee’ going round and test them if you like. Or wait until you arrive at the ideal location for traversing Lamington National Park, Binna Burra (‘where the beech trees grow’).
Sitting atop the McPherson Ranges with captivating views of Numinbah Valley to the east and Coomera Valley to the West, Binna Burra caters for the day visitor and those looking to, in the words of its founders, ‘find something in nature and in themselves’.
For the transient visitors take the 90 minute stroll along Bellbird Circuit, a comfortable and revealing 90 minute walk from rainforest to cliff edges where you can soak up pristine views of Ship’s Stern, Turtle Rock and Egg Rock.
A large grassed area provides an ideal setting to pull out that packed lunch and enjoy nature’s sonic sounds. Or head back to the Teahouse for captivating views of the coastline while enjoying a rewarding tea or coffee and café meal.
The more adventurous can choose their hiking route from 160 kilometres of graded walking tracks. Stoned-lined paths mark your path through ancient wilderness as you spot endless arrays of plants and animals, including pademelons and threatened bird species.
Dave’s Creek Circuit is a four-hour round trip featuring the most diverse vegetation in the region. Descend from rainforest ranges through a small Antarctic Beech forest, past ancient tree trunks that have fallen and are big enough to climb inside, to woodland and finally heath. Or if kicking up your feet is the call, relax in front of coastline views with a book or the paper and breath in crisp altitude air while your ears are tickled by nature's sonic surrounds.
Rest tired feet or sedate minds inside tallow-wood huts devoid of telephones, TVs and time in Binna Burra’s Mountain Lodge. Overnight prices range from $90 for a single to $340 for a double with commanding views. A toasty night’s sleep in autumn or winter is assured.
In spring or summer head over to the campsite to stay in purpose built safari tents complete with veranda for $75, perfect for sitting in front of your DIY fire and sipping on that morning cuppa in the early sunshine.
Whatever your discourse, whatever the season, you are sure to agree nature does it better than any theme park ride, even without the mechanical dinosaurs.
GETTING THERE
If departing from Brisbane or the Gold Coast head to Nerang and then follow the signs. Buses depart daily for Binna Burra from Nerang Train Station and the Gold Coast.