Coomera Circuit is a beautiful hike in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which protect many different rare, threatened and endemic species of flora and fauna.
Bahnamboola Falls. Photo by Author.
The Coomera Circuit trailhead starts at Binna Burra Tea House, Binna Burra. Follow the Border Track for about two km, until you reach the sign pointing to Coomera Circuit. The trail is a 17.4 km circuit, allow about 6 hours. The trail is classified grade 4, meaning the terrain can be rough, slippery, there are many creek crossings. You have to be able to cope with the length of the walk of about 18 km. After heavy rains, the creeks may be impassable.
Coomera Circuit features a beautiful rainforest with big trees, many waterfalls and lookouts. Along the trail, there are many tall Black Apple Trees, Planchonella australis. The trees produce edible purple-black fruit with pink to red flash, not very palatable though.
Photo by Author.
Members of the Group Hiking South East Qld and More on the Coomera Circuit trail.
Photo by Author.
Native violet growing in humid sections along the trail.
Photo by Author.
Imposing trees with giant buttresses along the Coomera Circuit.
Photo by Author.
A huge colony of staghorn, sometimes when they get too heavy they fall from the tree. Staghorn ferns are epiphytic plants, which means they grow on other plants or trees in their natural environments.
Photo by Author.
The spectacular Coomera Falls are visible from a cantilevered Coomera Falls lookout, about 5.5km from the trailhead. The Coomera River cascades over the magnificent Coomera and Yarrabilgong falls into the 160m deep gorge.
Lamington's undisturbed ecosystem contributes clean water to four river catchments, the Albert, Coomera, Nerang and Tweed Rivers. The water flowing over Coomera Falls is high quality because its catchment is protected within this Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.
Photo by Author.
One of the many creek crossings. In case of heavy rain, the creeks may be impassable. Do not attempt to cross the creeks in strong currents of water. Heavy rains can cause flash flooding, where a huge volume of water can suddenly wash down the gullies, creeks and rivers.
Photo by Author.
The rainforest is rich in many varieties of ferns. Ferns have been around for a very long time! They appeared in the fossil record dating back to 325 million years.
Photo by Author.
Take care when rock hopping, sometimes it may be necessary to walk in the water if the rocks are too far apart or slippery.
Photo by Author.
Stream Lily, Helmholtzia glaberrima, is found near creeks and rivers in the forest, mainly in Lamington National Park and Springbrook.
Photo by Author.
The picturesque Bahnamboola Falls with its many Stream Lily flowers.
Photo by Author.
Coomera Circuit has numerous gorgeous waterfalls and cascades visible from the track.
Photo by Author.
The rainforest offers a variety of vegetation with water in the creeks supporting life. There are rocks, lianas, all covered in moss and other many forms of life.
Photo by Author.
Moolgoolong Cascades is one of the many pristine waterfalls along the trail. Take a few moments to take in all the great views and to observe nature.
Photo by Author.
The creek running in the forest provides precious water.
Photo by Author.
It looks like two trees have fused together. The tree is covered in moss and other small plants.
Photo by Author.
Hiking gear: a hiking medium backpack, long trousers and shirt with long sleeves, light raincoat, recommended hiking ankle supportive boots, first aid kit, insect repellent (give preference to cream or roll-on are ita more environmentally friendly than the spray), hat, sunscreen, gloves, walking poles - if you like to use them, sock protectors or gaiters.
Consider packing some extra clothes and leaving them in the car. Pack some clean footwear and socks.
For this hike, consider carrying a map or downloading a good app on your smartphone that can help you to navigate in the bush.
Bring a medium day backpack with lots of water, especially if it's a hot day, at least 2.0 litres of water and snacks. During summer, you can bring electrolytes to dissolve in water to compensate for the loss through perspiration. You may consider packing sandwiches, fresh fruit, dry fruit, energy bars and small meals.
Walk with family, friends or in a group. Never alone!
The days before the hike, make sure to check:
parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/lamington
qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
Important
Practice minimal impact bushwalking taking great care to avoid leaving any rubbish. Remember - pack it in, pack it out. This includes all food scraps, scraps of foil and sweet's wrappers.
Take all your rubbish with you, including used tissues, apple cores, eggshells, orange and banana peels. If you see rubbish on the trail, please collect it and dispose of it responsibly. Do not disturb or interfere with wildlife. Do not disturb rocks. Do not remove plants or anything from National Parks or Natural Reserves. Stay on track all the time. Do not use shortcuts in order to avoid erosion.
Please follow directions on all safety and legislative signs, this protects you and the numerous threatened and endangered species in the park.
Use toilets when available. Away from toilets, take care with sanitation and hygiene and don't pollute natural water supplies. Ensure all faecal matter and toilet paper is properly buried 15cm deep well away from tracks, campsites and 100m from all watercourses and drainage channels. Carry with you a small trowel for this purpose. Bag and carry out disposable nappies and sanitary products.
Make sure your boots are always clean, avoid the spread of pathogens, disease-producing organisms such as phytophthora, myrtle rust and amphibian chytrid fungus. Soil and detritus can contain pathogens such as fungal spores that are harmful to the forest and frogs.
For more information, read the website of the Qld Government Parks and Forests Department of Environment and Science: parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/lamington/about.html
Directions.
Follow the directions to Binna Burra Tea House, 1069 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont Qld, 4211. From Brisbane, it is about one hour and a half, 106 km.
Binna Burra Tea House is positioned 800 metres above sea level amidst the sub-tropical rainforest of Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Binna Burra Tea House is a few steps away from the trailheads of many hiking tracks.
After the hike.
Binna Burra Tea House is open all week long for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu offers food and refreshment for any hour of the day with reasonable prices.
The stunning views from Binna Burra Tea House over the valley and the Gold Coast.
Photo by Author.
