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Discovering Ancient Wonders: Guide to Gondwana Rainforests Wildlife Tours in Brisbane
The world’s history is not only found in museums or old buildings, but in ancient natural landscapes home to species that have been around for a hundred million years.
The Gondwana Rainforests, which can be found across Queensland, offer a glimpse into the Earth’s ancient past. This World Heritage-listed site is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including many species that are found nowhere else on the planet.
If you’ve been curious about this world wonder, then it’s best to stick to our guide to Gondwana Rainforests wildlife tours that you can join from Brisbane!
Location
The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia is a World Heritage Site sprawling across various national parks in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.
This massive area protects the largest remaining patches of subtropical rainforest in the world. It spans over 360,000 hectares and encompasses over 50 separate reserves from Newcastle to Brisbane.
Things to Know About the Gondwana Rainforests
- Gondwana Rainforests of Australia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its outstanding universal value. It’s home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna, including many ancient and endemic species.
- The rainforests are remnants of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, dating back over 180 million years. They include significant geological features such as volcanic plugs, cliffs, and waterfalls.
- Visitors can explore various national parks and reserves within the Gondwana Rainforests. They offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography.
- Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and preserve the biodiversity and cultural significance of this unique ecosystem.
- Indigenous Australian cultures have deep-rooted connections to these rainforests, with cultural sites and stories intertwined with the landscape.
- It’s important for visitors to respect conservation guidelines and Indigenous heritage when exploring the Gondwana Rainforests to ensure its preservation for future generations.
Best Time to Go
The Gondwana Rainforests are located in a subtropical climate, so the temperatures are generally mild all year-round. However, it can be a bit cooler in the higher-altitude sections of the rainforests.
The most popular time to visit is during the dry season from March to November as the weather is generally drier and sunnier. This makes hiking and exploring the rainforests much more pleasant with the waterfalls still flowing, but not at their most powerful.
Meanwhile, if you wish to see the waterfalls at their most spectacular, the wet season from December to February is a great time to visit. The rainforests are also lush at this time of year and there are typically fewer crowds.
Getting Around
The Gondwana Rainforests stretch across regions in eastern Australia, so there isn’t just one access point. However, the most popular sections for tourists are located within a few hours drive from Brisbane.
Here are some ways to get from Brisbane to the Gondwana Rainforests:
By Car
Renting a car is the most flexible way to explore the Gondwana Rainforests. The drive from Brisbane takes around one and a half to over 5 hours depending on which section you want to visit.
Some of the most popular rainforest areas include Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park which are more or less 2 hours from Brisbane. While Tamborine National Park is just an hour and a half from the Queensland capital.
By Public Transport
While there is no direct public transport option to the Gondwana Rainforests from Brisbane, you can take a bus to a nearby town and then a taxi to your destination. This option is less flexible but still doable.
By Tour
Several tour operators offer day trips or multi-day tours to the Gondwana Rainforests from Brisbane. These tours are a great option if you don’t want to worry about driving or planning your itinerary.
We’ll tell you more about Gondwana Rainforests wildlife tours below.
Wildlife Tours at the Gondwana Rainforests
The Gondwana Rainforests are a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, teeming with a diverse range of species that inhabit this unique and ancient ecosystem.
Wildlife tours are a fantastic way to explore the rainforest and learn about the creatures that call it home. Here are some of the best tours to try if you’re planning on exploring the thriving natural remnants of a bygone age.
Southern Cross Tours
Website: https://www.southerncrosstours.com.au/
Contact: [email protected] / +61 7 5574 5041
Pricing: Starts from $119
Southern Cross Tours is a great choice for those looking to explore Lamington National Park, Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook National Park, and its surrounding hinterlands.
If you wish to take a complete day tour of Tamborine Mountain, you can go for their Mt Tamborine Tour. Explore Mt Tamborine through the eyes of a local – wander through the rainforest, savor local food and drinks, meet artisans, and discover hidden gems.
The tour includes a guided rainforest walk, delicious lunch with local produce, and visits to waterfalls and lookouts with breathtaking views. What’s more, you’ll also have coffee or spirit tastings as well as opportunities to meet local artists and buy their crafts.
Apart from exploring Tamborine Mountain, they also offer a Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s & Vineyard Tour. This tour offers an action-packed day featuring Lamington National Park.
You’ll get to visit O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat with its famous treetop walk and bird feeding. Relax on a guided tour as you ascend 1,000 meters and take in breathtaking views, all culminating in a visit to Canungra Valley Vineyard.
You can also escape to Springbrook National Park with their Natural Bridge & Springbrook Waterfalls Tour. This half-day tour explores the stunning beauty of Springbrook National Park.
As you walk through this ancient rainforest, you’ll get to see 5 magnificent waterfalls including the Natural Bridge and Purling Brook Falls, as well as a 23 million year old volcano.
Other exciting tours that Southern Cross Tours offer include the Glow Worms Tour and Kangaroo and Mountain Views Tour.
Experience Oz
Website: https://www.experienceoz.com.au/en
Contact: https://www.experienceoz.com.au/en/faqs
Pricing: Starts from $119
Experience Oz has a wide array of tours for various destinations across Australia. You can choose from different destinations and experiences which include comprehensive hinterland tours in Queensland.
One of their top hinterland tours is the Full Day Mount Tamborine Wine Tour for those who wish to spend a relaxing day amidst nature while indulging in fine wine. You’ll visit family-owned wineries, sample their wines, and enjoy a two-course lunch.
The tour includes scenic drives, tastings of award-winning wines and liquors, and return transport to your hotel. Knowledgeable local guides will make this a fun and informative day trip from Brisbane.
The Natural Bridge Glow Room Night Tour is a perfect activity for the whole family. After dark, you’ll explore the rainforest that comes alive with nocturnal creatures and walk to the magical Natural Bridge, home to mesmerizing glow worms.
These tiny creatures light up the caves with their tails, creating a starry spectacle. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the waterfall and the gentle glow of the worms, then you’ll finish the tour with some stargazing before heading back to your hotel.
Of course, you can’t miss visiting Lamington National Park with their Lamington National Park and O’Reilly’s Guided Day Tour. On this tour, you can relax on a scenic drive with a quick stop for coffee, then ascend to the park’s summit.
At O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, you can learn its history and walk through the treetops, feed colorful parrots and enjoy stunning views from Kamarun Lookout.
Finally, you’ll visit Canungra Valley Vineyard for a chance to see alpacas and sip some sparkling wine.
Experience Oz has so much more in store with a diverse range of destinations and experiences you can choose from. Apart from exploring Queensland’s lush hinterlands, they also offer island tours, city tours, and other exciting attractions.
Mt Barney Lodge
Website: https://www.mtbarneylodge.com.au/
Contact: [email protected] / +61 7 5544 323
Pricing: Starts from $80
Mt Barney Lodge offers the perfect nature escape just two hours away from Brisbane. This eco lodge sits near World Heritage-listed Mt Barney National Park, offering stunning scenery and easy access to a plethora of adventures.
You can explore some of the best walking tracks or challenge yourself with hikes and climbs. In the summer, you can cool off in the area’s creeks, waterholes, and waterfalls.
Start your Mt Barney adventure by joining tours! They offer guided walks, kids activities, workshops, rock activities, camps, and expeditions.
Their Guided Walks include Moonlit Cronan Creek Night Hike, Mt Gillies Family Scramble, and Westrays Grave/Larapinta Falls.
You can also join their Expeditions guided by an experienced outdoor leader. You can hike Barney Gorge to Lower Portals Circuit, climb the surrounding mountains, or explore Mt Barney through different trail tracks.
What’s great about Mt Barney Lodge is you can choose to stay at one of their accommodations. This includes Queenslander homesteads, mountain view camper trailers, rustic family cabins, deluxe hybrid caravans, and camping tents.
In addition, you can also join a 3-day Ecotourism Retreat called Yarriba Dreaming. This retreat allows you to experience a deeper connection to the area’s ancient landscapes by sharing stories, walking, and discovering more about the region’s indigenous culture.
Beyond the hinterlands of the stunning Scenic Rim region, you can also explore charming towns with wineries, breweries, cafes, and more.
Spicers Scenic Rim Trail
Website: https://scenicrimtrail.com/walks/
Contact: [email protected] / 13 77 42
Pricing: Starts from $1,750 for multi-day walks
Searching for an adventure of a lifetime but don’t want to worry about where to spend the night? Spicers Scenic Rim Trail offers guided multi-day walks through the breathtaking Scenic Rim region along with eco-luxury accommodations!
This is your ideal nature retreat offering relaxed luxury as you won’t have to stress about lugging heavy equipment on your hike and cooking your meals.
After a full day of adventure, you’ll get to retreat to your own private enclave at one of Spicers’ luxury cabins, suites, or tents.
Adventurers can choose from a 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, or 6-day walk. These walks are packaged with your accommodations, meals, guide, electric blankets during colder months, and luggage transfer so you’d only have to carry a daypack for your hikes.
During the walks, you’ll traverse through valleys, conquer ridges, and take in panoramic views of mountains and the ancient Gondwana rainforests. Across the plains and valleys, you might encounter kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and different bird species.
Spicers Scenic Rim Trail offers a luxury experience unlike any other, perfectly suited for exploring the splendor of the Scenic Rim region.
