Is there a greater escape than carrying only the essentials on your back, hiking through lush rainforest and completely switched off from technology?
Hiking is something I grew up with. Each year we would do a 3 day hike over the June long weekend, carrying all our food. Navigating using topographical maps and compasses. Creating makeshift blister relief pads by cutting up our foam mattresses. Sitting around the campfire at night, just talking… Sleep cycle syncing perfectly with the rise and set of the sun.
These hiking and camping adventures with my family are some of the best memories I have from my childhood. But it’s not something I had done since I was probably 14 or 15. And Tom, well he had never been hiking.
While Tom and I have been home in the Byron Bay region for a few months, we decided to make the most of it and throw ourselves into every experience we could make happen during our time here.
We organised the hike around the time of our 10 year anniversary. What better way to celebrate then just you, me and nature right?
And anyways, I had a number of people ask me to do a blog post with the details, so here it is.
WHERE:
We organised a 2 night/3 day hike in the Lamington National Park. We kept things pretty straight forward and stuck to the beaten track (this time), given that we organised it within a week and both had limited experience using topographical maps etc. There are some beautiful hikes that are more off-grid in the area, however these do require more planning and preparation.
Our hike was around 65km in total over the 2 1/2 days (we arrived back at our car by around 11am). On the first day our packs were 15kg and 17kg (just incase your an avid hiker and want the specifics).
DAY 1:
We started at Binna Burra and hiked the almost 22km along the Border Track to Orielly’s Rainforest Retreat/ Green Mountains Camp grounds.
The track is relatively easy going, some slight inclines, but is well marked.
Compared the other tracks we did on our hike, this was the least interesting part. That said, starting here, we were still entirely captivated by the beauty of the lush, overgrown rainforest. There a a few beautiful lookouts, and really, we were just grateful to be out in nature. Away from it all.
We completed the hike in around 5.5 hours (we departed Binna Burra at 10:00am and arrived at 3:30pm). The recommended/estimated time on most sites for this walk is more like 6-7 hours. I would recommend leaving as early as possible, however Tom was on call at the hospital until 8am so this is why we left a little later.
We camped in the walk-in’s only camp ground at Green Mountains. There are toilets and showers (I know, a little bit luxe for your average hike). There is also access to water, however you need to boil or treat it before drinking.
DAY 2:
Day 2 we basically strung a few different shorter walks together. Our total distance was around 25km.
We completed part of the Box Forest Circuit, all of Tooloona Creek Circuit and a section of the Albert River Circuit. We ended at Mt Bithongabel camp ground where we camped for our second night. Mt Bithongabel campsite is located on the Border Track (ps. There are no amenities at Mt Bithogabel).
This part of the walk is littered with beautiful waterfalls and of course, incredible lush rainforest. Difficulty wise, there is a lot of up and downs on this walk making it more tiring than the border track.
From where the Tooloona Creek circuit meets the Border Track, we had to back-track slightly to get to our campsite. After having lunch and setting up camp, we left most of things there. We then completed part of the Albert River Circuit to check out some of the lookouts and refill our drink bottles at one of the waterfalls. Sharing one backpack between us on this section of the walk (probably 5-10km) just with snacks, water bottles, made it a bit easier trekking.
For the most part the Albert River circuit is very similar outlook to the Border Track. But I feel it is well worth it just to get to Echo Point Lookout. It was breathtaking. Vast views of the mountain ranges (Mt Warning in the distance), lush greenery contrasting against the blue sky. Dreamy right?
We hiked to the first waterfall we came across to fill our water bottles to ensure we had enough water to cook dinner that night and stay hydrated the next day. We then turned around and went back to our campsite.
DAY 3:
Tom started work in the afternoon, so we started our hike before sunrise to ensure we had enough time to get back. On our last day we hiked part of the Border Track until we reached the turn off for the Coomera Circuit. Our total distance was around 18km.
The Coomera Circuit was our absolute favourite. The waterfalls are incredible, the most variety and breathtaking of all. Even though we were the most weary, and in the most pain on our last day, we hardly noticed because we were surrounded by so much beauty. It was sprinkling rain, however the lush canopy of the rainforest trees towering above you keep you mostly dry.
The Coomera circuit is a fair bit of uphill/downhill, so can be tough walking at times. However as I said, it is so beautiful, with any luck you are too captivated by nature in all its glory to notice anyways.
TOP RECOMMENDATIONS
1. DAY HIKES
If you are considering only a day hike in the area, I would highly recommend the Coomera Circuit. It is 17.4km total, and easily doable in one day, especially when only carrying snacks and water. I would suggest starting along the Border Track at Binna Burra, and then looping onto the Coomera Circuit to get back. That way you can take your time with the waterfalls on the way back and really enjoy them. The Border Track is pretty, but the waterfalls are the most special part.
2. KEEPING TIME
Not so important now that daylight savings is over, but if you go hiking here when it is make sure you set your clock to not change automatically. Given its name “the border track” you are hiking along the border of NSW and QLD. Thus keeping track of time can get a little confusing. If you are hiking on a weekend this may not matter too much either, unless you’ve made other plans you need to keep.
3. PROPER INSECT REPELLANT
I’m all for natural stuff, but the bugs are particularly full on in the dense rainforest and near the creeks. Especially leeches *cringe*. So highly recommend spraying yourself with an insect repellant that contains deet. We managed to get away without any real leech issues. We did do thorough leech checks when putting our packs on and sprayed our feet and the rim of our shoes religious. That said, leeches won’t kill you. They are just gross.
4. JUST DO IT
Whatever, wherever and however you choose to do it, just do it. Get out in nature. And really get out in nature. Switch your phone to flight mode if you’re hiking somewhere that still has reception. This time you take to be away from everything and switch your brain off allows your mind to wander, explore and dream a little. Tom and I spent our walk split between silent pondering and talking about life, love and happiness (among other things).
I’m happy to share more information and tips on how to prepare, essentials to pack and what to eat (vegan friendly) when hiking if you are interested, so hit me up in the comments if this is something you’d love me to share (or anything else you’d like to see on the blog). Would love to hear your thoughts and feedback!
Hey,
I’ve recently started multiple day hikes with my partner and I was wondering what type of packs you bring? Carrying stuff in your hands as well as on your backs can get a bit much!!