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If you’re looking for a break from the golden beaches, theme parks, and nightclubs, then you might be casting your eyes towards the Gold Coast hinterland.
This mountainous region is where rainforests meet verdant rolling hills, and where waterfalls compete with the coast – it’s the perfect quiet escape less than an hour from Goldie, and with that, comes a huge array of accommodation options.
If you’re sifting through hotels, hostels, resorts, and vacation rentals and not sure which place stands out to you, then this guide on accommodation in the Gold Coast Hinterland is for you.
We know it’s not easy finding a place to stay, especially if it’s your first time visiting, so we’ve shared our favorite places to stay based on our experience below.
Gold Coast Hinterland Accommodation
Once you’re done sunning yourself on a beach or scaring the wits out of yourself at a theme park, consider staying at one of these Gold Coast Hinterland accommodation options.
I can assure you there’s a peacefulness there, stunning waterfalls, and miles of hiking trails through the ancient forest.
1. O’Reilley’s Rainforest Retreat
Located in World Heritage Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is only a 90-minute drive west from the Gold Coast and a two-hour scenic drive from Brisbane.
The latter section of the drive is rather windy with lots of turns, and I don’t recommend driving this part of the road after dark like we did.
But, as we found out after staying for two nights, the drive is more than worth it.
If you are looking for cozy and serviced accommodation near Lamington National Park to escape the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast and connect with nature, this setting won’t disappoint.
Up here, there are no traffic lights or high rises, only a lodge in a tranquil rainforest setting, making it the perfect retreat for the ultimate romantic getaway couples dream of. Backed by lush Australian rainforests, this is your chance to stay in luxurious eco-villas that blend into the tranquil rainforest settings.
Accommodation at O’Reilly’s is modern, contemporary, spacious, and self-contained.
We stayed in one of the eco-villas with stunning mountain views from one of our private balconies, or through the glass fold-back doors when it got a little chilly – there’s also a gas fireplace if you need a roaring fire in the rainforest villa to warm you up.
We had the functionality of a fully furnished apartment, with timber floors and a full kitchen, a family room with a sofa and TV, plus high ceilings to give the illusion of more space.
And how could we so no to a spa bath on the balcony with a cold glass of wine after a fantastic day of exploring the rainforest?
As far as modern luxury Hinterland accommodation goes, a stay at O’Reilly’s is the perfect spot to experience the cool seclusion of the rainforest, or for a family getaway and to unplug from the normality of life!
Read our full review of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park
The O’Reilly Story
There’s an interesting story behind O Reilly’s rainforest retreat and the family who runs it.
On the 19th February 1937, a Stinson Aliner crashed into the Lamington Ranges killing four of the seven passengers, and after a search failed to turn up any wreckage, a determined Bernard O’Reilly set out on foot to find the plane in the thick bush.
Amazingly he found it along with two people still alive and in desperate need of medical help – they were rescued and survived.
Since then three generations of the family have been welcoming people for over 90 years into O Reilly’s rainforest retreat and their beautiful backyard.
- Location: 3582, Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra QLD 4275, Australia
- Accommodation options: O’Reilly’s offers a surprising range of luxurious rooms from the traditional charm of the retreat (formally the Guesthouse) to the modern self-contained eco villas. There are accommodation styles to meet all budgets.
Things to do at O’Reilly’s
Lamington National Park is 51,000 acres of rainforest, which contains over 160 km of graded walking paths that lead to lookouts, waterfalls, and some of Queensland’s most significant wilderness.
The lovely Tree Top Boardwalk, the first of its kind in Australia, is 180 meters in length and is made up of 9 suspension bridges, with much of the walkway being 15 meters above the ground. through a canopy of flowering and fruiting vine-covered trees.
Walk through a canopy of flowering and fruiting vine-covered trees with nice views of Lamington National Park and out to NSW and Mt Warning.
You can also follow in Bernard O’Reilly’s footsteps by following the 35km Stinson walk trail. O’Reilly’s offer guided hikes to the crash site.
For a faster pace, suspend yourself 30 meters above the ground and zip along the 180-meter flying fox. Fun for the whole family. Yep, even our then two and a half year old faced her fears and took it on!
If you’re a wildlife fan or a bird lover, then you will love O’Reilly’s. Lamington National Park is renowned as one of Australia’s premier birding areas with over 232 recorded species.
And the fantastic Birds of Prey Show was another highlight of our stay. Getting so close to wedge-tailed eagles, barn owls, and kites and learning all about their skills as hunters and flyers was amazing!
Walking in nature is not the only way to take in the national park, how about jumping on an eco-friendly four-wheel-drive Segway Safari and go cruising through the rainforest.
O’Reilly’s Retreat Rainforest Bar
Followed that all up with an exceptional dinner in The Dining Room, which is open for buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner.
They have a good selection of wines, including their own O’Reilly’s wines and options from an assortment of wineries from the local region, and their pizzas are divine! I still remember how they taste.
Not to mention the sunset views…
2. The Mouses House Rainforest Retreat
Another lovely spot in the Gold Coast Hinterland is Springbrook National Park. If you’re coming from Brisbane, it’s only an hour away!
The most enchanting Gold Coast Hinterland accommodation property we have stayed in is located within Springbrook National Park, called The Mouse House Rainforest Retreat.
Whilst it did rain for most of our time in Springbrook National Park, the wet weather allowed us to really get cozy and enjoy this unique accommodation and all it has to offer.
The Mouse House truly makes you feel like you’re in another world.
It consists of a series of 12 A-frame cedar wood chalets named after the seven dwarfs that are nestled throughout the World Heritage Listed rainforest.
We stayed in Doc, which could comfortably sleep up to 8 people, so if you’ve got a large family or friends who want to experience a rainforest retreat on the Gold Coast bring them along and share the cost!
As we walked through the misty rainforest to uncover these Springbrook chalets hidden behind twisted vines, our kids felt like they were a part of the Snow White storybook discovering the Seven Dwarfs Cabins.
In front of our Doc chalet was a picturesque stream which added to the mood and serenity, and if it’s sunny when you visit, a BBQ on the covered patio overlooking the beautiful rainforest would be idyllic.
There’s an on-site indoor hot tub that was just perfect for us in the conditions, and for you after a day of hiking, and we made the most of our in room spa bath later on in the evening!
As a busy family, it’s not often we get to soak in a hot tub, in a rainforest, and read a book with a glass of vino – this is what you get at the Mouse House rainforest retreat.
Mouses House Rainforest Retreat is only 30 mins from the coast, or an hour from Brisbane, and is right near the Twin Falls Circuit and conveniently placed to explore the best of Springbrook National Park.
- Location: 2807 Springbrook Rd, Springbrook, Gold Coast Hinterland, QLD, 4213
- Accommodation options: all chalets at the Mouse House Retreat are fully self-contained and unique and beautifully appointed with stunning surrounds amongst the rainforest.
Things to do in Springbrook National Park
Despite the weather, we did manage to do two walks during our stay at the Mouses House Rainforest Retreat, and Springbrook National Park offers a wide range of walking opportunities from 300m to 54km in length.
The 4-kilometre Twin Falls Circuit starts from either the Tallanbana Picnic Area or Canyon Lookout, and you simply follow the track in an anti-clockwise direction.
It’s one of the most popular Gold Coast Hinterland walks to one of the best waterfalls!
And Canyon Lookout is an easy 30m stumble from the car park and you get spectacular views from Canyon Lookout over the sheer walls of The Canyon.
3. Binna Burra Sky Lodges
Another Gold Coast Hinterland accommodation option we love is the Binna Burra Sky Lodges, which is a place to stay and activity centre all-in-one.
This UNESCO World Heritage listed area comprises Australia’s largest remnant of sub-tropical rainforest and has been welcoming guests since the early 1930s.
If a mountain getaway to unplug is what you’re looking for, this Binna Burra National Park accommodation could more than meet your needs.
Depending on your cabin of choice, there could be no televisions or clocks, and we didn’t even have phone service in our cabin which normally would stress us out running our online business, but it was such a nice change from the constant temptation to be connected to the online world (we could get phone service up at the main reception building).
Otherwise, the character filled cabins aren’t lacking in modern amenities, and when we checked into our cabin the kids excitedly raced upstairs to their loft bedroom, which would become their cozy little sanctuary.
We had a small deck to sit out on in the afternoon sun with bush and valley views, and this getaway was all about connecting with nature and each other as a family.
Upstairs of the main residence is the library, which hosted afternoon wine and cheese time. This was perfect for us as the kids occupied themselves reading whilst we enjoyed 20 minutes of downtime and views over the valley.
A hearty buffet breakfast was served each morning in the Clifftop Dining Room with stunning views over the Coomera Valley.
And at 4 pm daily we enjoyed afternoon tea in the Clifftop Restaurant, where you can sit back and enjoy the beauty of the natural surrounds with a cream tea or cake, whilst the girls enjoyed a hot chocolate and a cookie and chatting about our hiking adventures during the day.
Come back at dinner time for relaxed outdoor meals with a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere of the Gold Coast Hinterland as your dinner guest.
Just outside the restaurant in the landscaped garden area is the perfect spot to take in the sunset, whilst you kick back on one of the chairs with a cold drink and spectacular views.
To get here from the Gold Coast, it’ i’s a 60-minute drive, and if you’re leaving from Brisbane, it will take you approximately 90-minutes.
- Getting there: If traveling on the Pacific Motorway M1, take the Nerang turn-off (exit 69 Southbound or exit 73 Northbound) and follow the signs Nerang West/Binna Burra. Take the turn off to Beechmont and head straight up the mountain.
- Accommodation options: Binna Burra Lodge has four types of accommodation options from lodges to cottages to campsites.
Read our full review of Binna Burra Lodge, The #1 Gold Coast Hinterland Accommodation
Things to do at Binna Burra
If you’re into yoga like Caz, they had a pre-breakfast morning yoga session up in the library room, and if your kids are early risers they are also welcome to join in for the session.
And getting up early is also the best time to spot one of the locals hopping about at Binna Burra, the cute Pademelons.
Looking to bring out your inner Robin Hood? One of the cool activities at Binna Burra Lodge is archery which our kids loved and it was fun learning about this medieval sport.
The gentle one hour Bellbird Lookout Walk takes you through the rainforest and eucalypt woodland and ends with stunning views over Ship’s Stern, Egg Rock, Turtle Rock and the Numinbah Valley.
If you have young kids and are looking for some short Binna Burra walks, this one is perfect.
The 5-kilometre return Caves Circuit Walk is also family friendly and you can check out the display of volcanic rock built up by the Mt Warning volcano.
A nice spot to relax for lunch is at the Lamington Teahouse Cafe. Grab a seat by the window if you can as the views over the Numinbah Valley go on forever.
Just like at O’Reilly’s, there’s a cool flying fox here. This one is 165-metres long through the treetops and this time we could go tandem.
Final Thoughts
What I have come to love about the Gold Coast region is its diversity, especially for families. We loved being in the natural surrounds of the hinterland, exploring the old world charm of its countryside towns, and feeling the stress of everyday life ebb away.
We love the sand and surf, and roller coasters, as much as anyone, but we also love a slower pace, getting back to nature, and walks in the mountains.
We hope this guide gave you some ideas for where to stay in the Gold Coast Hinterland and we hope it helped you get an idea for the perfect getaway from Goldie.
More Gold Coast Travel Tips
Planning a Gold Coast family holiday? Check out these other helpful guides…
- 48 hours on the Gold Coast itinerary
- Best family accommodation on the Gold Coast
- Free (or cheap) things to do on the Gold Coast
- Why is the Gold Coast the best place to live?
- The Gold Coast Theme Parks Ranked Best To Worst
- How To Visit Warner Bros Movie World, Gold Coast with kids
- How To Visit Dreamworld Gold Coast With Kids
- 18 Family-Friendly Gold Coast Restaurants We Fell In Love With
- The 18 Best Family Accommodation on the Gold Coast
- 10 Beautiful Walks on the Gold Coast not to miss
- Things to Do in the Gold Coast for Families
More South Queensland Travel Tips
Ned more inspiration for visiting South Queensland? Here are some other helpful tips…
- An adventurous weekend getaway to Moreton island
- Weekend getaways from Brisbane, Queensland
- A lovely weekend getaway to the Bunya Mountains
- Things to do on the Sunshine Coast that’s not coastal
- Escape to Binna Burra Lodge on the Gold Coast Hinterland
- Incredible Things to do on Fraser Island
- Awesome Things to do in Hervey Bay, Queensland
- Things to do in Noosa, Sunshine Coast
- Stunning and adventurous things to do in Queensland
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