Lamington

The park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 160 bird species, including the rare Albert's Lyrebird and the colorful Regent Bowerbird. Notable mammals include the endangered Northern Eastern Quoll, Red-necked Pademelon, and various species of possums and gliders. The park supports significant populations of reptiles and amphibians, including the endangered Fleay's Barred Frog. Over 60 species of butterflies have been recorded, including the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. The park is also an important refuge for numerous threatened species.

Lamington National Park is renowned for its exceptional botanical diversity, featuring over 1000 flowering plant species. The park contains extensive areas of subtropical and temperate rainforest, including one of Australia's largest remaining areas of Antarctic Beech forest. Notable species include ancient hoop pines, giant strangler figs, and numerous orchid species. The park is particularly famous for its diversity of ferns, with over 200 species identified. The vegetation varies with altitude, transitioning from subtropical rainforest in lower areas to cool temperate rainforest at higher elevations.

The park sits on the northern edge of a huge shield volcano that erupted around 23 million years ago. The Tweed Volcano's erosion created the distinctive landscape of the Scenic Rim, with Lamington's plateaus formed from basalt lava flows. The park features dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and numerous waterfalls carved through layers of volcanic rock. The rich volcanic soils support the region's diverse rainforest ecosystems. Notable geological features include the McPherson Range and numerous gorges formed by ancient lava flows and subsequent erosion.

Lamington National Park experiences a subtropical climate with distinct seasonal variations. Summer (December-February) sees average temperatures of 20-28°C with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity. Winter (June-August) is cooler and drier, with temperatures ranging from 5-15°C and occasional frost at higher elevations. The park receives significant annual rainfall, typically 1500-2000mm, with the wettest period occurring during summer and early autumn. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, particularly in the mountains, and morning mist is common in the valleys.

The park's traditional custodians are the Yugambeh Aboriginal people, who have lived in and managed these lands for thousands of years. Lamington National Park was established in 1915, named after Lord Lamington, Governor of Queensland from 1896-1901. The park's creation was largely due to the efforts of Robert Collins and Romeo Lahey, who campaigned to protect the area from logging. The O'Reilly family established their guesthouse in 1926, which became crucial in developing the park's tourism. In 1937, Bernard O'Reilly gained national fame when he rescued survivors from a Stinson aircraft crash in the park's rugged terrain.

Key attractions include the Tree Top Walk, a 180-meter suspended walkway through the rainforest canopy, and the Python Rock and Moran's Falls lookouts offering spectacular views. The park features over 160 kilometers of walking trails, including the famous Border Track connecting the Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections. Notable waterfalls include Elabana Falls, Box Log Falls, and Mirror Falls. The historic O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat and Binna Burra Lodge (though the latter was damaged in 2019 bushfires) serve as major visitor centers. The park is also part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.