Explore the Ancient Gondwana Rainforests on a Day Trip from the Gold Coast
Travellers based on the Gold Coast can easily explore the ancient Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Area that spans 366,500 hectares from South East Queensland down to central New South Wales. This vast green belt connects the Gold Coast Hinterland, Scenic Rim, and Border Ranges, making it accessible for a day trip.
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National Parks and Highlights
Queensland is home to pristine sections of the rainforest, including Lamington, Springbrook, Mount Barney, and Main Range National Parks. These areas offer rugged mountains, towering waterfalls, and lush valleys.

Lamington National Park: The Binna Burra and Green Mountains sections feature densely forested ranges and lookouts over the Scenic Rim. Key sights include Moran Falls in Lamington National Park, offering 360-degree views across the Morgana Creek gorge.
Springbrook National Park: Visitors can view soaring Antarctic beech trees, the Natural Bridge, and a lookout named 'The Best Of All The Lookouts'. Waterfalls in the park include Twin Falls, Purling Brook Falls, and Natural Bridge.
Mount Barney National Park: Suited for hiking and trail enthusiasts, the park features rugged terrain with mountains such as Barney, Maroon, May, Lindesay, Ernest, Ballow, and Clunie dominating the skyline.
Main Range National Park: Visitors can walk through the Cunningham's Gap section to reach the Governors Chair Lookout, perched on a cliff face with views across Fassifern Valley, along with Queen Mary Falls.

Why Visit
The Gondwana Rainforests are the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforests on earth and are over 180 million years old. They contain the origins of where primitive animal and plant life evolved and are home to over 200 threatened species that rely on this habitat to survive.

