Starting from Lamington National Park Road, O’Reilly, this circuit walk explores the dense forest alongside Canungra Creek via multiple tracks, visiting multiple waterfalls and swimming holes along the way. Prepare to be here all day as you’ll want to enjoy the cool waters of Canungra along with the pure beauty of the scenery around. You’ll cross creeks, walk along ridges, and visit lovely picnic spots as you make your way through the exquisite trees of Lamington. You can expect to spot some ‘yabbies’(Australian term) here, a species of crayfish known as spiny blue crayfish. Besides the interesting wildlife, the track gives you glimpses of the picturesque hinterland as well. Although it’s best to view the waterfalls after some decent rain, leeches become more abundant in such conditions. Wear long sleeves and pants to make this less of a problem. Keep in mind that you may run into different snake species as well, especially in warmer months. The track can be muddy in sections, and rock scrambling/hopping may be required to reach some of the falls. Hiking poles may come in handy. 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 left and join the Yerralahla Track to continue along West Canungra Creek Waterfall Circuit(clockwise). This direction of travel is recommended.....
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).
After 80 m pass the "National Parks & Wildlife Office" (15 m on your left).
After another 75 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your right).
After another 15 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
Then pass the shelter (15 m on your right).
After another 10 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 165 m pass a seat (7 m on your right).
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track) veer left, to head along Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track.
Then head down the very steep (10% ~ 5.7°) incline (about 4.2 km long)
Then pass the waterfall (30 m on your left).
After another 370 m (at the intersection of Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track & Bullant Spur Track) continue straight, to head along Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to the Yerralahla Rock Pool(Blue Pool), a gorgeous swimming hole located along West Canungra Creek. To start this optional side trip turn sharp left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 305 m (at the intersection of Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track & West Canungra Creek Circuit) continue straight, to head along West Canungra Creek Circuit.
After another 1.5 km veer right, to head along West Canungra Creek Circuit.
After another 1.6 km (at the intersection of Box Forest Circuit & West Canungra Creek Circuit) turn left, to head along Box Forest Circuit (a footpath).
After another 430 m cross the ford.
After another 470 m cross the ford.
After another 110 m cross the ford.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to the Box Log Falls. May involve rock hopping/scrambling. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 80 m turn sharp left, to head along Box Forest Circuit.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to the base of Elabana Falls. May involve rock hopping/scrambling. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 510 m turn sharp left, to head along Box Forest Circuit.
After another 75 m (at the intersection of Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit & Box Forest Circuit) turn sharp right, to head along Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 205 m pass the "Elabana Falls" (30 m on your right).
Then cross the ford.
After another 380 m (at the intersection of Box Forest Circuit & Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit) turn left, to head along Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 320 m (at the intersection of Box Forest Circuit & Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit) continue straight, to head along Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit.
After another 710 m (at the intersection of Border Track & Box Forest Circuit / to Toolona Creek Circuit) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to a set of observation decks built literally in a Strangler Fig, with one of them being 30 metres above the ground. You can observe the flora and birdlife from close proximinity as the interpretive signs help you identify plants. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 1 km (at the intersection of Border Track & Border Track Connection) continue straight, to head along Border Track.
After another 50 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
After another 345 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.
This optional side trip takes you to a set of observation decks built literally in a Strangler Fig, with one of them being 30 metres above the ground. You can observe the flora and birdlife from close proximinity as the interpretive signs help you identify plants.
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Border Track Connection & Border Track Start heading along Border Track Connection (a walking track).
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Border Track Connection.
After another 100 m (at the intersection of Booyong Walk & Border Track Connection) veer right, to head along Booyong Walk.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Booyong Walk & Tree Top Walk) continue straight, to head along Booyong Walk.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Booyong Walk & Tree Top Walk) continue straight, to head along Tree Top Walk.
After another 50 m veer left, to head along Tree Top Walk.
Then cross the bridge
After another 40 m come to the end.
"Tree Top Walk Ladder".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 400 m to the main route.
This side trip takes you to the Yerralahla Rock Pool(Blue Pool), a gorgeous swimming hole located along West Canungra Creek.
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Yerralahla (Blue Pool) Track & West Canungra Creek Circuit Start (a walking track).
After another 65 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.
This side trip takes you to the base of Elabana Falls. May involve rock hopping/scrambling.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 55 m come to the end.
About 40 m past the end is "Elabana Falls".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 55 m to the main route.
This side trip takes you to the Box Log Falls. May involve rock hopping/scrambling.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Continue another 40 m to find Box Log Falls at the end.
"Box Log Falls".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 40 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
West Canungra Creek Waterfall Circuit
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
12.8 km
Time
5 h to 7 h 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
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
Shelter: There is one 125 m from the start.
Toilet: There is one 125 m from the start.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.3 km apart with the largest gap of 11.8 km.
Bushwalk
5 h to 7 h 30 min
Shelter: There is one 125 m from the start.
Toilet: There is one 125 m from the start.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.3 km apart with the largest gap of 11.8 km.
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O'Reilly's Cafe & Gifts (about 60 m back from the start).
After 80 m pass the "National Parks & Wildlife Office" (15 m on your left).
After another 75 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your right).
Then head down the very steep (10% ~ 5.7°) incline (about 4.2 km long)
Then pass the waterfall (30 m on your left).
After another 430 m cross the ford.
Then cross the bridge
"Tree Top Walk Ladder".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 400 m to the main route.