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Less than an hour’s drive from the bustling beaches and glittering skyline of the Gold Coast lies a wilderness region that quietly slips under the radar – and we suspect it likes it that way.
Meet Binna Burra – a hidden gem set within Lamington National Park (Woonoongoora) in the lush Scenic Rim. This pocket of paradise forms part of the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape, one of only 11 World Heritage-listed cultural landscapes in Australia, recognised for its rich Aboriginal heritage and extraordinary natural beauty.
The name Binna Burra translates to ‘where the beech tree grows’ in the language of the area’s Traditional Custodians, the Yugambeh people, honouring the thousand-year-old Antarctic Beech trees that still grow in the surrounding rainforest. They’re one of the many ancient plant species found within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia – the largest expanse of subtropical rainforest on Earth, dating back hundreds of millions of years.
Getting to Binna Burra is a seriously scenic adventure. Around a 45- to 60-minute drive from the Gold Coast city centre or 90 minutes from Brisbane, the journey eventually trades busy highways for winding hinterland roads, where epic valley views unfold around every bend.
Eventually, you’ll arrive at Binna Burra Lodge – the base for all your adventures here. Founded in 1933 by pioneering conservationists Arthur Groom and Romeo Lahey, it’s one of Australia’s longest-running nature-based resorts, created to help visitors connect with the beauty and heritage of the national park.
Just a short stroll from the lodge reception, you’ll find the gateway to Lamington National Park, which boasts more than 160 kilometres of walking trails. There’s something for every kind of explorer, from the gentle 1.5-kilometre Rainforest Circuit to the heroic 21.4-kilometre Border Track.
Whichever path you choose, this is your cue to switch off as you wander beneath lush green canopies, listen for the distinctive calls of bowerbirds, dip into rock pools and soak up sweeping valley views that reach all the way out to the coast. You might even spot a koala or two perched in the trees!
This year, Binna Burra is giving visitors a whole new way to explore its ancient landscape with the opening of the world’s first-ever eco-adventure cliff park. Accessible from Binna Burra Lodge, Happitat Adventure Park features an epic Via Ferrata course and Australia’s highest zipline, plus rainforest walks, swimming holes and picnic benches. We tried it out, and can confirm it's the ultimate thrill-seekers' playground!
When it's time to refuel, the cosy Binna Burra Tea House is open daily for breakfast and lunch, serving up burgers, salads and sweet treats alongside breathtaking views down the Numinbah Valley. To truly make the most of your adventure, we recommend extending your stay in one of Binna Burra Lodge’s eco-friendly accommodations. You can pitch a tent under the rainforest canopy, glamp in the safari tents, snuggle up by the fireplace in a spacious Sky Lodge or get off-grid in one of the new Tiny Wild Houses.
So, next time the city gets a little too busy and loud, follow the winding rainforest roads straight to Binna Burra.