Starting from Lamington National Park Road, O’Reilly, this circuit walk takes you deep into the lush rainforests of Lamington park, navigating partly along Albert River and visiting multiple waterfalls and lookouts. Expect to be amazed by the stunning view of the waterfalls and the interchanging vegetation throughout the track. Although the track is roughly 20 kilometres long, it may not feel like it as the tracks are gentle and undulating. When you’re near water, keep an eye out for the native Lamington crayfish, also known as the blue spiny crayfish due to its vibrant blue coloured shell. Other wildlife you can run into in the area are king parrots and dingoes. You’ll be going through some ancient Antarctic Beech trees along with other interesting rainforest plant species. The Echo Point camp site midway is meters away from the same-titled lookout, where you can get exceptional panoramic views to the south. During the day, you’ll be able to see many mountains and hills including Mount Warning, whereas the night offers you an exceptional opportunity for stargazing. Decent(preferably waterproof) hiking boots and gaiters are recommended against the muddy and leechy conditions. Keep an eye out for snakes. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start
At the intersection of Border Track & Lamington National Park Road (-28.2302929,153.1350277)
Turn left onto Gilston Road and drive for another 1.7 km
At roundabout, take exit 3 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 670 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 530 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 820 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 185 m
Continue onto McLaren Road and drive for another 370 m
Keep right onto Beaudesert - Nerang Road, 90, 8 and drive for another 175 m
Continue onto Nerang - Murwillumbah Road, 97 and drive for another 1.2 km
Turn right onto Clagiraba Road and drive for another 5.7 km
Turn left onto Beaudesert - Nerang Road, 90, 8 and drive for another 10.7 km
Turn left onto Kidston Street and drive for another 36 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From Lamington National Park Road(in front of the Information Centre), head along the paved track gently downhill towards the said Information Centre, moving directly away from the road. Turn right before heading into the building and follow the paved track(Border Track) as it leads you into the woodland, keeping the road to your right. After about 375 metres, veer/keep right and stay on the Border Track. 1.8km into the trip(from the start), veer right at the fork and stay on the Border Track again. At the 4.85km waypoint(from start), turn sharp right at the 3-way intersection to continue along Albert River Circuit(counterclockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Border Track & Lamington National Park Road Start heading along Border Track (a walking track).
O'Reilly's Cafe & Gifts (about 60 m back from the start).
Find the National Parks & Wildlife Office at the start.
After another 70 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
After another 35 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 120 m pass a seat (7 m on your right).
After another 135 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 400 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
At the intersection of Border Track Connection & Border Track continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 1 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 700 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Forestry Department Cairn Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 2.3 km (at the intersection of Albert River Circuit & Border Track) turn sharp right, to head along Albert River Circuit.
After another 5 km cross the ford.
After another 40 m pass the "Lightning Falls" (50 m on your right).
After another 220 m pass the "Thunder Falls" (30 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional little side trip taking you to Echo Falls. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Continue straight, to head along Albert River Circuit.
After another 105 m cross the ford.
After another 210 m pass the "Gurrgunngulli Falls" (15 m on your right).
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Albert River Circuit.
After another 40 m pass the "Mirror Falls" (15 m on your right).
After another 345 m cross the ford.
After another 50 m pass the "Joolbahla Falls" (6 m on your left).
Then cross the ford.
After another 125 m cross the ford.
After another 8 m pass the "Gwahlahla Falls" (6 m on your right).
After another 175 m cross the ford.
After another 9 m pass the waterfall (25 m on your left).
After another 1.1 km find the "Echo Point bush camp" (8 m on your right).
Echo Point bush camp
Echo Point bush camp
Metres away from the Echo Point Lookout. Advance booking needed.
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Metres away from the Echo Point Lookout. Advance booking needed.
Continue straight, to head along Albert River Circuit.
After another 200 m come to the "Echo Point Lookout" (25 m on your right).
Turn left, to head along Albert River Circuit.
After another 490 m come to the "Cominan Lookout" (on your right).
After another 2.6 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Albert River Circuit) turn left, to head along Border Track.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Albert River Circuit) veer right, to head along Border Track.
After another 2.3 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Forestry Department Cairn Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 700 m (at the intersection of Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 1 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Border Track Connection) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 390 m (at the intersection of Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 380 m come to the end.
An optional little side trip taking you to Echo Falls.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start heading along Albert River Circuit.
Find the Thunder Falls at the start.
After another 15 m come to "Echo Falls".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Albert River Circuit
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
20.3 km
Time
5 h 30 min, 8 h to 2 days
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Some facilities on route
Campsite: There is one 12.2 km from the start.
Toilet: There is one 90 m from the start.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 6.8 km apart with the largest gap of 19.5 km.
Bushwalk
5 h 30 min, 8 h to 2 days
Campsite: There is one 12.2 km from the start.
Toilet: There is one 90 m from the start.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 6.8 km apart with the largest gap of 19.5 km.
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O'Reilly's Cafe & Gifts (about 60 m back from the start).
Find the National Parks & Wildlife Office at the start.
After another 5 km cross the ford.
After another 40 m pass the "Lightning Falls" (50 m on your right).
After another 200 m come to the "Echo Point Lookout" (25 m on your right).
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.