Green Mountains
The Green Mountains Site was recently released for Expressions of Interest to develop a nature-based tourism accommodation facility. Expressions of Interest closed on Tuesday 7 December 2010.
- Green Mountains map (PDF, 374K)*
Background
Green Mountains campground. Photo courtesy of David Morgans.
Lamington National Park was declared in 1915 and is one of Queensland’s best known and most popular protected areas. Its 20,590 hectares boasts extensive long- and short-distance walking tracks along the McPherson Range which allow visitors to explore this stunning area.
The Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park is about a two hour drive south of Brisbane and a 90 minute drive west of the Gold Coast.
Lamington is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area which includes the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world, most of the world’s warm temperate rainforest and nearly all of the Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. It is one of the few places where Antarctic beech and hoop pine stand together as a reminder of the ancient Gondwanan forests that once covered the Australian continent.
The park is a haven for native wildlife. Walking tracks take visitors deep into the park and offer the chance to see birds such as the brightly coloured regent bowerbird, eastern yellow robin and Australian logrunner. Lucky birdwatchers may spy the rare Albert’s lyrebird or red-browed tree creeper; or the vulnerable rufous scrub-bird. Visitors can also hear the distinctive calls of the Lewin’s honeyeater, satin bowerbird, noisy pitta, green catbird and an array of rainforest pigeons. Rich Indigenous and European history also makes this cool mountain retreat a fascinating holiday destination.
Site details and tourism opportunity
Campervan site. Photo courtesy of David Morgans.
The campground at Green Mountains is adjacent to the day visitor carpark at the end of Lamington National Park Road. The commercially managed O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is nearby on private land. The campground is situated on the side of a grassy sloping hill with unpowered tent and campervan sites cut into the slope. Caravans are not catered for. The site currently offers composting toilets, hot showers, an industrial rubbish bin and running water which should be boiled or treated before drinking. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service information centre and a day-use visitor area are across the road.
The tourism opportunity at Green Mountains could include the commercial operation of the existing campground with the possibility of establishing some semi-permanent accommodation in line with the Sustainability Guidelines to complement the camping opportunities currently offered.
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Last updated 1 March 2011