Gold Coast and Hinterland Rainforests

From Brisbane’s koalas to the Gold Coast beaches, then up into the rainforest waterfalls, glow-worm caves and mountain tracks of Springbrook and Lamington.

Distance: 170 km (106 mi)
Driving: 1 h 51 min
Suggested days: 4
Stops: 9
States: Queensland
Updated: May 2, 2026

At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 170 km (106 mi) with 9 stops, from Brisbane to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Green Mountains. About 1 h 51 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Queensland · More road trips from Brisbane

Route description

Begin in Brisbane at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, about 12 km south-west of the centre, then take the M1 south for roughly 75 km, about an hour outside peak times, to Surfers Paradise. Walk the beach early before the crowds, and swim only between the red and yellow flags. Fuel and supplies are easy on the Gold Coast, but accommodation fills fast in school holidays.

Spend day two on the southern coast. Burleigh Head National Park, about 13 km south of Surfers Paradise, has a short circuit walk with surf and headland views. Another 6 km on, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary suits families. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so keep the afternoon flexible and check surf conditions before swimming.

Day three heads inland to Springbrook. From the coast it is about 40 km, roughly an hour, to the plateau on narrow, winding roads that suit long caravans and large motorhomes poorly. Purling Brook Falls drops more than 100 metres, while the glow-worms at Natural Bridge are best seen after dark, so time that visit for dusk and bring a torch.

The last day is for Lamington National Park. Binna Burra is reached via Nerang and Beechmont, about 50 km from the coast; O’Reilly’s lies on the other side, up a narrow, steep road of about 30 km from Canungra. No road links the two directly, so choose one or allow around two hours between them. Take food, as services are limited, and expect cool, damp weather even in summer.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Brisbane
Queensland
Start
2

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
NatureBrisbane, Queensland
Founded in 1927 at Fig Tree Pocket on the Brisbane River, this is among the world’s oldest koala sanctuaries. Koalas, kangaroos and wombats can be seen up close; arrive early, when the animals are most active.
11 km
3

Surfers Paradise
Queensland
83 km
4

Burleigh Head National Park
NatureBurleigh Heads, Queensland
A small volcanic headland of rainforest and coastal heath, with a circuit track and views along the Gold Coast. Beneath it lies a renowned surf break. The headland is known to its Aboriginal custodians as Jellurgal.
13 km
5

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
NatureCurrumbin, Queensland
A long-established wildlife park on the southern Gold Coast, famous for the daily feeding of wild rainbow lorikeets. It also has koalas, kangaroos and a wildlife hospital. A sensible stop for families on a rainy beach day.
6 km
6

Natural Bridge, Springbrook
NatureSpringbrook, Queensland
A rock arch where a creek has carved a cave through basalt, reached by a short circuit walk in subtropical rainforest. After dark a colony of glow-worms lights the cave; bring a torch and keep to the path.
32 km
7

Purling Brook Falls
NatureSpringbrook, Queensland
A waterfall that drops more than 100 metres from the Springbrook plateau into a rainforest gorge. A circuit walk leads from the lookout to the base and back. Flow is strongest after summer rain.
7 km
8

Binna Burra, Lamington National Park
StaysBeechmont, Queensland
A mountain lodge and walking base on the eastern edge of Lamington, dating from 1933, where the Border Track to O’Reilly’s starts. The 2019 bushfires hit the area hard, so check current facilities and open tracks.
11 km
9

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Green Mountains
StaysLamington National Park, Queensland
A family-run guesthouse in Lamington National Park, open since 1926, with a treetop walk and rainforest tracks at the door. Colourful parrots and bowerbirds are easy to see. The mountain road is narrow and winding.
7 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Brisbane → Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary · 11 km · 0 h 07 min
Day 2: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary → Surfers Paradise · 83 km · 0 h 54 min
Day 3: Surfers Paradise → Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary · 19 km · 0 h 13 minOn the way: Burleigh Head National Park.
Day 4: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary → O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Green Mountains · 57 km · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Natural Bridge, Springbrook, Purling Brook Falls, Binna Burra, Lamington National Park.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually March–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is Gold Coast and Hinterland Rainforests?

4-day road trip of about 170 km (106 mi) with 9 stops, from Brisbane to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Green Mountains. About 1 h 51 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Gold Coast and Hinterland Rainforests?

We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 51 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Gold Coast and Hinterland Rainforests start and end?

It starts in Brisbane and ends in O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Green Mountains.

Which states does Gold Coast and Hinterland Rainforests pass through?

Queensland.

When is the best time for Gold Coast and Hinterland Rainforests?

The most pleasant months are usually March–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)