Binna Burra Walks – Escape to Coomera Falls

A couple of weeks back I was enjoying a colossal burger at the Two Pines Cafe in Springbrook, QLD, while talking intermittently to the proprietor, Judy Diamond. A fellow adventurer, Judy had told me about a great spot before, so I asked her if she knew of any others. “Coomera Falls”, she said. The following week I found myself on the first of my Binna Burra walks, descending into another world.

Hiking through the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park, in the Gold Coast hinterland, I passed trees with bulging bumps and slender slits as pademelons thumped through thick forest. I greeted friendly bushwalkers, spied a lounging lizard and enjoyed the soft foliage lining the trail before arriving at Coomera Falls, about 5.5 kilometres from the car park.

There’s no access to the falls, just the lookout over the 160m deep Coomera Gorge that serves up handsome views. It’s a steep drop down – as the signs will tell you – and there’s a cave sitting halfway up the cliff behind some palms, which looks like it travels deep into the mountain. However the only way to access it would be by abseiling, which I dreamt of doing as I stood there admiring the view.

I decided to continue along the Coomera Circuit, which I later found out is perhaps the finest of the Binna Burra walks in Lamington National Park. From here on in the walk became wilder and more beautiful.

The forest grew dark and the path swept under towering ferns as its sides fell steeply into the water. I passed a few waterfalls that tumbled across hidden caves and came to a bridge of stones across the creek. The scene was now painted with marvellous shades of green and the smells were sublime.

Crossing the creek I followed the path into the forest, which traced the water’s edge. I spied a pool, small waterfalls and on my return I saw a face in the trees and heard more loud thumping, followed by owl-like sounds – possibly the elusive Albert’s lyrebird.

A couple of hours later I arrived back at the car park, a little sore, as the sun was beginning to set. Shortly after taking off I passed Rosins Lookout at Beechmont. The view forced me to stop and walk to a grassy hill, where I sat and admired the gobsmackingly magnificent Gold Coast hinterland.

A Few Fast Facts

• Coomera Falls lies on the Coomera Circuit trail, reputably the best of the Binna Burra walks.
• The walk is a 17.4 kilometre return journey, although you can do just a section (like I did).
• The entrance to the Coomera Circuit lies near the Binna Burra campground in Lamington National Park, which is one and a half hours’ drive from Byron Bay and Brisbane, and one hour from the Gold Coast.