Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park sits on the McPherson Range, the eroded remains of the Tweed Volcano which last erupted around 23 million years ago. The park's high elevation and consistent rainfall create one of the few remaining patches of Antarctic beech rainforest left in Australia. Antarctic beech (Nothofagus moorei) is a relict species from the time when Australia, South America and Antarctica were part of the supercontinent Gondwana, and some of the trees here are estimated to be over 1,500 years old.

The park covers 21,000 hectares and is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area inscribed in 1986. There are over 160 kilometres of walking tracks, ranging from short sealed boardwalks to multi-day overnight walks. The Border Track runs along the McPherson Range and connects the two main park entrances at OReillys (in the west) and Binna Burra (in the east).

More than 500 waterfalls fall through the park during the wet season. Highlights include Elabana Falls, Box Forest, and the Tree Top Walk, a 180 metre suspension bridge that runs through the rainforest canopy at OReillys.

Wildlife is plentiful: pademelons, paradise riflebirds, Albert's lyrebirds, and the elusive long-nosed potoroo are all here. Bring layers and rain gear, even in summer. The park sits at 900 metres and the weather is dramatically cooler than the coast below.