Frequently asked questions
- 'O'Reilly', isn't that spelt 'O'Reilly's'?
- Where is O'Reilly's?
- Facilities at Green Mountains camping area
- Access to Green Mountains camping area
- Arrival at Green Mountains camping area
- Weather at Green Mountains (O'Reilly)
- Bushwalking
- Nature
- O'Reilly's
- Binna Burra
'O'Reilly', isn't that spelt 'O'Reilly's'?
- No. The name 'O'Reilly' is a placename for the western side of the Lamington Plateau, while the placename for the eastern side is 'Binna Burra'. 'Green Mountains' is the park section name for the western side of Lamington National Park and 'Binna Burra' is the name of the eastern side of the park.
- 'O'Reilly's' is the name of the private property own by the O'Reilly family who own and manage O'Reillys Rainforest Retreat.
Where is O'Reilly's?
- O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat is the privately-owned resort, located at the end of Lamington National Park Road on the western side of Lamington Plateau. See the Green Mountains section map (PDF, 566K)* for more details.
Facilities at Green Mountains camping area
What facilities are at the Green Mountains camping area?
- hot showers (free)
- toilets
- washing water in all taps—do not drink without treating first
- industrial rubbish bin
Are there any powered sites?
- No. Power is not available. This means there are no power sockets in the amenities blocks for hairdryers, shavers or asthma pumps.
Are there any washing facilities?
- No. There is no laundry or washing facilities provided. Campers must bring their own washing-up bowl or bucket.
Are fires allowed?
- No. Fires are prohibited. Only fuel stoves such as gas, methylated or other camping stoves can be used.
Are there any electric barbecues to use?
- Yes. There are three electric barbecues available in the day-use area. Note: shelters are available in case of rain but these have no lighting at night. Please remove your rubbish, as rubbish bins are not provided in the day-use area. Some picnic tables and toilets are provided.
- The day-use areas are located within an easy two minutes walk from the camping area at the end of Lamington National Park Road (on the left-hand side of the road after the main car park).
Can campers have a brazier in the Green Mountains camping area?
- Campers can use a brazier in the camping area under two strict conditions:
- only sterile materials such as heat beads/coal can be used (i.e. no timber or wood)
- a metal sheet must be placed under the brazier to catch any ash and to prevent scorching or burning the grass. Please dispose of cooled ash and or beads in the camping area's industrial bin.
How big are the tent sites?
- The larger sites are approximately 5 m x 5 m in size. Generally each tent site can accommodate two small, two-person hiking tents or one family-size tent.
What are the tent site surfaces like to pitch a tent on?
- As the camping area is located on a grassy slope, tent sites have been cut into the hill to create level areas. The surface of each site is either hardened earth or compacted crusher dust depending on whether the site has been upgraded or not. Please do not pitch your tent on the grass because this kills the grass.
- It is recommended that campers pack a ground sheet to place underneath their tent as some of the modern tent fabrics can get 'roughed' up when placed on crusher dust. Bring a hammer or mallet to help get pegs into the ground.
How big are the campervan sites?
- Most campervan sites are small; generally the size of a car park space. It is not always possible to erect an annex off the side of a campervan due to the small size of the campervan sites. Note: numbered sites cannot be reserved.
Can I bring a camper trailer?
- Camper trailers pose difficulties, as campervan sites are generally not large enough for a trailer and a vehicle to be parked right beside each other. Camp sites are numbered, so please camp in your designated site. Remember, particular sites cannot be reserved in advance.
Can I bring a caravan?
- No. Caravans are not allowed. The Green Mountains camping area cannot cater for caravans—there are no sites suitable for them. A sign at the bottom of Lamington National Park Road forewarns motorists that the road is not suitable for vehicles towing a caravan (the narrow road has frequent hair-pin bends and blind corners). Also the one-way dirt road that winds through the camping area does not allow for caravan mobility.
Are there wheelchair facilities?
- Toilets are available in the day-use areas of both park sections.
Is there a public telephone at Green Mountains (O'Reilly)?
- There is a public pay phone in a small brown hut at the end of the road, just past the O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat reception office.
Will I get mobile phone service?
- This depends to some extent on your carrier. Coverage is reliable with Telstra's Next G. If you cannot reach 000 in an emergency, try 112.
Access to Green Mountains camping area
How do I get to the Green Mountains camping area?
- Green Mountains (O'Reilly) is 36 km (50min) south of Canungra. The road from Canungra is called Lamington National Park Road and is sealed. The camping area is located towards the end of this road, on the right-hand side just before the main car park. Note: the nearest petrol station for fuel is at Canungra.
- Alternative access is via a dirt, 4WD-only road called Duck Creek Road that comes up the mountain via the Kerry Valley, south-west of Beaudesert.
Is there public transport to Green Mountains?
- Yes. There are some bus companies that run regular tours to the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park. See getting there and getting around or the tourism information links for more information.
Arrival at Green Mountains camping area
What time can I arrive?
- There is no 'clock-in' time at Green Mountains camping area, however camp sites must be vacated by 11 am on your final day. we find most people pack up by lunch time. If you plan a full-day’s walk on your last day, please pack up before you start your walk.
Which site do I choose when I arrive?
- When you book your camp site online, you can select a vacant numbered camp site. Numbered totems are installed at each camp site and a camping area map (PDF, 98K)* will assist you in locating your camp site. Please do not camp in the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk camp site located on the lower slopes of the camping area.
- If you are walking the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk and have booked your camp site, you will find it located on the lower slopes of the camping area and clearly sign posted. The sites are numbered, please camp in your allocated camp site.
What do campers do upon arrival?
- Orient yourself by reading the Welcome to Green Mountains display stand located at the top of the camping area.
- If you have booked online, paid and been given a Booking Number, take a yellow and green camp site tag from the information display stand's wooden box or from the camping desk located in the park’s information centre.
- Locate your numbered tent or van site by using the map (PDF, 98K)*. Please note that separate sites are allocated to those walking the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, please do not camp in this site if you are staying at Green Mountains (O'Reilly) only. Campervan sites are indicated by a post with a pictogram of a van on it. Please pitch tents on the camp sites provided, not on the grass.
- Write your Booking Number on a camp site tag and display it clearly on your tent/van.
- Go to the park's information centre located only two minutes' walk from the camping area to collect a park guide that includes detailed walking track information and learn more about the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park from the displays.
Where do campers park their vehicles?
- Car park bays are scattered around the area. Most campers can park relatively close to their tent site. The grassed camping area is protected from vehicle access by a perimeter of posts and bollards. Important: do not park in front of the industrial bin; it blocks access and prevents the rubbish truck from clearing the bin.
Should I be worried about theft?
- There have been few reported thefts from cars or the camping area. We recommend that you carry any valuables such as wallets, vehicle keys, garage remotes, cameras and phones with you.
Weather at Green Mountains (O'Reilly)
How cold does it get at Green Mountains (O'Reilly)?
- Green Mountains (O'Reilly) is on average 5°C cooler than Brisbane. Extreme winter temperatures can get below 0°C. Frosts can occur. See climate and weather for more details.
What about rain?
- See climate and weather for details.
Where can I check the weather forecast?
- Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology. Once at Green Mountains (O'Reilly) you can check weather conditions at the national park's information centre.
Bushwalking
Where can I get a map of the walking tracks?
- Collect a copy of the Lamington National Park Guide that includes detailed walking track information from the national park's information centre before setting out on a walk. The display panels in the centre and at the start of the Border Track also provide walk descriptions.
When does the rainforest open?
- The rainforest is always open. However for your safety it is recommended that you only walk during daylight hours. Choose walks that you are able to complete before it gets dark. As a general rule make sure you finish your walk an hour before sunset—remember that a rainforest can get dark very quickly towards the end of the day and earlier in the afternoon during winter.
Are there guided ranger walks?
- Ranger-guided activities are provided seasonally—download the Connect with Nature events calendar for details. For information about school group activities, see the Connect with Nature schools program (PDF, 109K)*.
Can I drink the water?
- Water in all camping area taps and water taken from creeks within the national park should be treated before drinking as a precautionary measure. Please boil water for approximately three minutes to kill most pathogens, otherwise use water treatment tablets.
How do I organise a remote bush camping permit?
- Lamington National Park has a small number of designated remote camp sites to choose from. Each site has a limit on the number of campers permitted to camp at these sites. This is necessary to ensure sites are not degraded.
- To book a remote bush camp site, book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
- Your bush camping permit number is your permit to camp in these remote bush camp sites. If sites are fully booked, you will have to reschedule your camping nights.
Nature
How high is Green Mountains (O'Reilly)?
- The park's information centre is approximately 935 m above sea level. Other areas of Lamington National Park reach almost 1200 m above sea level.
Where will I see most wildlife?
- Part of the charm of walking in Lamington National Park is that you never know what you might see! Be observant; use binoculars if you have them; keep group sizes small; and keep noise to a minimum.
Can I feed the birds and animals?
- National park campers must not feed the wildlife. There is an abundance of natural food for them and it is more suitable. Find out more about the detrimental effects of feeding birds and animals by reading the posters on display in the campground and at the park's information centre. Ensure all foodstuffs are secured, especially at night.
Should I be concerned about snakes?
- Snakes tend to be observed more in the warmer spring and summer months. Always take extreme caution and never attempt to pick up any type of reptile. The rule to remember is that snakes have right of way!
- The two most commonly seen reptiles are carpet pythons and land mullets. Carpet pythons are non-venomous but are capable of giving a painful bite that may get infected unless given appropriate first-aid treatment. Land mullets are often mistaken for snakes because of their shiny black appearance. They are a non-venomous lizard and reputed to be the largest skink in the world.
- In the unlikely event of being bitten by a snake, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, avoid moving the patient and seek medical attention immediately. Note: there have been few reported snakebites in Lamington National Park since 1915 and none have been fatal. It is sensible to carry a first-aid kit and never walk alone.
What can I do to prevent leeches?
- Leeches are common in rainforest particularly after rain. They are not dangerous and can be pulled or flicked off with few effects other than severe itching and sometimes local irritation of the skin. The bite will bleed for some time due to an anti-clogging agent that the leech injects. An analgesic cream will ease the itch. To prevent leech bites wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, a hat and apply insect repellent to exposed skin before walking. Another good idea is to rub repellent on feet (and even shoes) before putting on footwear.
Will I get ticks?
- Ticks tend to live in dry, forested areas with a grassy understorey. However, during very dry weather periods, people have reported the occasional tick while walking on some of the rainforest walking tracks. To remove a tick, use fine-tipped forceps or pointed tweezers, press the skin down around the tick's embedded mouth part. Grip the mouth part firmly, lift gently to detach the tick—avoid squeezing the body of the tick during removal. If the person becomes ill, seek medical attention promptly. Avoid ticks by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, hats and shoes. Apply insect repellent on exposed skin.
Can I swim in the park?
- Lamington's sensitive waterways are not suitable for swimming. They are habitat for a number of endangered and vulnerable frog species. Please read how to be frog friendly. Please read staying safe for more information on visiting Lamington National Park.
O'Reilly's
Where's the O'Reilly's campground?
- The 'O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat' is the commercial resort located on private land surrounded by the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park. O'Reilly's do not operate a campground.
- The camping area in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park is managed by QPWS. An easy two-minute walk will take you from the Green Mountains camping area through the main day-visitor car park to the privately-owned O'Reilly's resort area.
Is there a tree top or canopy walk at Green Mountains (O'Reilly)?
- The Tree Top Walk (or Canopy Walk) is located on privately-owned land belonging to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat and was built by the Green Mountains and Lamington Natural History Associations. Campers and day visitors are welcome to experience this walk. The O'Reilly's Botanical Garden is also located adjacent to the Tree Top Walk. There are no charges for these activities.
Can I buy ice, gas, bread and milk while camping at Green Mountains (O'Reilly)?
- Gran's General Store is part of the privately owned O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat and provides basic provisions such as ice, butane gas for small portable burners, bread, milk and other simple grocery items for campers. There is also a bistro for daytime meals and a souvenir shop. Canungra is the closest local town. It is 36 km north of the camping area. Drivers should allow 45 min one way.
Binna Burra
Where is Binna Burra in relation to Green Mountains (O'Reilly)?
- Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park is located to the east of Green Mountains section. Allow 80 min to drive between the two sections.
- The Border Track (21.4 km one way) connects the Green Mountains and Binna Burra sections of Lamington National Park
How do I book a camp site at Binna Burra?
- The commercially managed resort at Binna Burra; Binna Burra Mountain Lodge manages the campground located at Binna Burra and all bookings must be made by contacting them in advance. This campground can accommodate caravans. They also offer powered sites, on-site tents for hire, a laundry and campfires.
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Last updated 20 February 2012