Australian Hiker

PLEASE NOTE

This walk is currently closed to do fire damage in early 2019

Nearest Town

Gold Coast

Best Time of the Year to Travel

Year round

Starting Location

Binna Burra car park, Queensland

Finish Location

Binna Burra car park, Queensland

Bellbird Lookout Walking Track Review

Recently I had a whirlwind visit to the Gold Cost meeting up with Gill who was up there for work. As I had most of Saturday to myself I decided to head to one of the nearby national parks, in this case Lamington National Park, to do a couple of the shorter walks. Lamington National Park is approximately 45 km, about and an hours drive, from the Gold Coast.

Being new to this area I programmed in Binna Burra into my phone and sure enough about an hour later I successfully arrived at my destination. When it was just under 2 km away I passed the visitor information centre and toilet blocks. At this stage I would suggest stopping in and picking up a trail brochure as well as looking to see if any trails are closed.

I was amazed at the sheer number of trails that start from this area. Another 2 km and I arrive at the Binna Burra car park. The trail head itself which is located just off the left hand side of the road as you drive in, is easy to locate and well signposted. This trail was well worn and is obviously very popular. While I had a really good hike, the compacted clay trail has the potential to become greasy after heavy rains so I suggest wearing footwear with good traction if it’s been raining. The trail is pretty much a green tunnel for almost its entire length although there was one small section where a tree had come down letting the sun through.

The thing that confused me a bit on this trail was that it was almost a gradual downhill walk all the way to the lookout. Usually you expect an uphill trail to a lookout or at the very least a flat one.  The trail does flatten out as you approach the lookout. At this stage you should keep an eye out on any small children in your group as the drop off is very clifflike close to the top edge – there are warning signs. This lookout is pretty much natural and there are some great flat rocky areas to sit and take in the views down the valley towards Coolangatta and the ocean. This is one of those very rare hikes that I just sat for an extended period to take in the views on the day.

The return trip is very much up hill but not difficult and for the sake of an hours total walk time, is an easy walk for almost anyone.

I loved this little trail and its proximity to other walks in the area means you can do a second walk without taking up too much time. Its well worth the visit if you are at the Gold Coast area.

Direction marker to the trail head

Trail head. A number of hikes start from this point

Trail head

Massive tree on the trail

Cliff warning sign

Good signage on the trail

Follow the signs

Open area on the trail where a tree has come down

Timber seating at the track at the lookout

Cliff at the lookout

Bellbird Lookout view

Back to the trail head

Getting There

The trail head is just around 45 km from the Gold Coast and located in Lamington National Park – it will take you about an hour to drive

Visitor centre

Toilets at the visitor centre

Binna Burra car park

Binna Burra carp park signage

Things to Know

• There are toilet facilities at the information centre a short drive away
• The trail has the potential to be a bit greasy after heavy rains so wear footwear with good tread on wet days
• You should bring your own water
• This trail is walkable year round
• There is mobile phone coverage on this trail
• Keep a close eye on the kids when you’re at the lookout as you can easily get very close to the cliff edge

Disclaimer

This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker

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