Starting from Lamington National Park Road, O’Reilly, this walk takes you on a circuit in the lush rainforest of Lamington National Park, visiting multiple waterfalls and lookouts along the way. One of the best waterfall hikes in Queensland, this track features 3 gorgeous falls, visiting the Box Log Falls with a side trip and potentially making it 4. Expect to be dazzled by the amazing scenery around you as you hike along and through the Toolona Creek. If lucky, you may spot a Lamington Crayfish(spiny blue crayfish) that is native to this area. Besides the wet section, the long but gentle Border Track features exceptional Antarctic Beech Trees. And by any chance you get some mist, the trip becomes a mysterious and scenic adventure. You can spend the night at the Bithongabel Campsite along the track and make this a multi-day trip. The waterfalls are best viewed after rain, but this leads to more muddy sections and leeches. Wear long pants and waterproof ankle-support hiking boots to enjoy the hike better. Trekking poles may come in handy as well. 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 left at the fork and join the Box Forest/Toolona Creek Circuit Track to continue along Toolona Creek Waterfall Loop(clockwise). This is the signposted direction of travel and features an ascent up the creek with waterfalls facing you, then a gradual descent along the Border Track.....
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 55 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your right).
After another 15 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 Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 1 km (at the intersection of Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit & Box Forest Circuit) turn right, to head along Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 390 m cross the ford.
After another 40 m pass the "Elabana Falls" (30 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Box Log Falls. May involve a fair bit of rock hopping/scrambling. To start this optional side trip turn sharp left here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 150 m (at the intersection of Toolona Creek Circuit & Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit) continue straight, to head along Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 345 m cross the ford.
After another 580 m turn left, to head along Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 315 m continue straight, to head along Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 160 m turn sharp left, to head along Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 165 m cross the ford.
After another 345 m cross the ford.
After another 220 m cross the ford.
After another 70 m cross the ford.
After another 6 m pass the "Chalahn Falls" (6 m on your right).
After another 390 m cross the ford.
After another 135 m cross the ford.
After another 105 m pass the "Toolona Falls" (25 m on your right).
Turn sharp left, to head along Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 85 m cross the ford.
After another 330 m cross the ford.
After another 1 km cross the ford.
After another 135 m cross the ford.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Wanungara Lookout, where you can get better views over the land. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 580 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Toolona Creek Circuit) turn right, to head along Border Track.
After another 670 m come to the "Toolona Lookout" (10 m on your left).
Continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 440 m come to the "Lookout".
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Mount Bithongabel camp site where you can spend a quiet, peaceful night in the rainforest. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 210 m veer right, to head along Border Track.
After another 370 m pass the "Mount Bithongabel" (on your left).
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Naturalists’ Cairn track & Border Track) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 800 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Albert River Circuit) veer right, 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 side trip to Box Log Falls. May involve a fair bit of rock hopping/scrambling.
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Toolona Creek Circuit & Box Forest Circuit Start heading along Box Forest Circuit (a walking track).
After another 75 m turn sharp right, to head along Box Forest Circuit.
After another 510 m continue straight.
After another 40 m come to "Box Log Falls".
Continue another 0 m to find Box Log Falls at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 630 m to the main route.
This little side trip takes you to the Mount Bithongabel camp site where you can spend a quiet, peaceful night in the rainforest.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 45 m come to the "Mount Bithongabel bush camp site" (on your left).
After another 15 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.
This optional side trip takes you to the Wanungara Lookout, where you can get better views over the land.
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Toolona Creek Circuit & Border Track Start heading along Border Track (a walking track).
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Main Border Track & Border Track) veer right, to head along Main Border Track.
After another 20 m come to "Wanungara Lookout".
Continue another 0 m to find Wanungara Lookout at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 100 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Toolona Creek Waterfall Loop
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
15.7 km
Time
5 h 30 min, 8 h 30 min to 2 days
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
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
Camp site: There is one 9.7 km (plus an extra 45 m along side route) from the start.
Toilet: There is one 90 m from the start.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5.2 km apart with the largest gap of 15 km.
Bushwalk
5 h 30 min, 8 h 30 min to 2 days
Camp site: There is one 9.7 km (plus an extra 45 m along side route) from the start.
Toilet: There is one 90 m from the start.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5.2 km apart with the largest gap of 15 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 55 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your right).
After another 390 m cross the ford.
After another 40 m pass the "Elabana Falls" (30 m on your left).
After another 670 m come to the "Toolona Lookout" (10 m on your left).
After another 370 m pass the "Mount Bithongabel" (on your left).
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 630 m to the main route.