Lamington National Park is well known for its World Heritage Status, with its ancestor forming part of the Gondwana Rainforest. It is also well known for it's countless waterfalls and extensive bird life. However, there are quite a number of tracks with fairy-tale like names, especially the extensive track system on the west side of the Green Mountain Section of Lamington National Park. If you have plans to visit there, it's worth your while to pay a visit those tracks with amazing waterfalls and expansive views!
Once you parked your car at the car park near the resort, you can start by taking the track to Morans Fall. It is always refreshing watching the water, thin as a bridal veil, flowing freely with the wind. It is even better to watch this fall from the first lookout of the track on a sunny morning, as the sunlight hits the water creating the 'flowing rainbow' effect.
If you would like to spend a bit more time closer to the water and you are comfortable being closer to the edge, it is a good option to follow the creek bed all the way to the edge of the waterfall. It is a particular fantastic spot to watch the sunset over the expansive views. To get there, turn right towards the creek when you are at the small bridge crossing.
If you continue to cross the bridge and follow the narrowed track, you will reach the fully established lookout on the other side of the waterfall. I believe sometimes this place is also used to host wedding ceremonies.
After taking a small break to enjoy the incredible view, follow the steps uphill away from the deck to reach the Red Road (even the road has a fairy-tale like name). From this point onwards, you will be walking on the private property belonging to the O'Reilly's Retreat. Please respect private property and stay on the designated tracks at all times.
Keep walking uphill until you reach the first sign to your right, which points towards Balancing Rock and Moonlight Crag. Keep following the sign and keep to the track towards the left, the track will be uphill all the way until you reach the final bend of the track, you will then see the Moonlight Crag sign and a fully wood decked path leading to the lookout.Take a few moments to fully breath in the view and enjoy the opportunity of having the window seat view of the Lost World.
You will also see a sign post for Lyrebird Lookout and a few other side tracks leading away from the lookout. These tracks should only to attempted for experienced hikers with navigational skills, as you can on stay on path by following the plastic tapes on the trees with limited methods to tell directions under the thick canopy,
Turn back following the same track downhill, when you see the sign-posts to the left of the track, follow it towards the forest ahead. This short-cut will lead you to the third fairy-tale named place, the Balancing Rock and Castle Crag. Once you reached Balancing Rock, continue on the track to the right of the rock and eventually, you will reach Castle Crag. I wasn't able to make it all the way to Castle Crag that day, will have to go back again.
There are also a number of paid activities that the retreat offer, I ran into a bunch of people on the Segway Safari on my way back, it looked like such fun. There are also other activities, like flying fox, waiting for you! Now, continuing with our topic, you will reach the next fairy-tale named destination, the Wishing Tree track by following the Red Road downhill. Traversing the less formed track underneath the rainforest canopy, you will soon be in owe of the massive size of the wishing tree. To continue along the track, you can simply do so by walking through the tree.
Keep following the track, you will reach Mick's Tower before arriving at the retreat finishing the entire track. The tower is a great place for bird watching. It was also built to commemorate the first Lamington National Park ranger, Mick O'Reilly. You can also climb all the way to the top if you happen to be there while the hatches to the stairs are open.
Lamington National Park has so much history and such a diverse natural environment, it is definitely worth you spending a few days exploring there. Of course, walking with an experienced company is definitely recommended on less known and less defined tracks. Have fun discovering this vast landscape with your own eyes and find its uniqueness!
