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A favourite for so many, the Lamington National Park lies on the southern edge of the Scenic Rim straddling the NSW border. The areas waterfalls, cliffs and peaks are reminders of an ancient landscape that stretches back into some 300 million years. Many rare and endangered plant species are found in these ecosystems. The Antarctic beech is a Gondwana relic, with Lamington their most northerly location.
Whilst round-dwelling birds such as the rare Albert’s lyrebird and the endangered eastern bristlebird are but a couple of the fantastic variety of birdlife in the area. Hiking in the park is as diverse as the ecosystems around it, starting from hubs at Binna Burra, O’Reillys, and Green Mountains. The Border Track is a lengthy, potential overnight hike.
Disgustingly, and to our continued disbelief, the increasing impacts of global warming have meant this region has been hit hard by unprecedented bushfires, starting in September 2019. Much like the forests of northern NSW, large swathes of the area have been burnt.
As a hiking mecca, the events of later half of 2019 are a stark reminder of the future impacts that our backyard – and its hiking – will feel if global warming isn’t stopped in the next decade. As hikers and as those that believe Australia’s unique landscapes and huge biodiversity should be forever incredible, we must continue to call for government and industry to transition away from fossil fuels immediately, putting ever increasing pressure on our elected representatives. Help solve the climate crisis and shift to clean energy, here.
The Lamington National Park – where these photos were taken – is the traditional country of the Yugambeh family groups. I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of these lands and waters on which I was able to traverse, learn, and appreciate – and pay respect to the First Nations Peoples and their elders, past, present and future.
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