O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat making Lamington National Park accessible to all
Words by: Chloe Pickard
All visitors to Lamington National Park can now enjoy walking in the spectacular rainforest thanks to a new wheelchair-accessible track.
The park’s rich eco-system will be open for people using wheelchairs, walking canes or frames or walkers with strollers as they travel the 900 metre long Centenary track, which was recently opened as part of the park’s centenary celebrations.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Director South-East Mick Cubis said the creation of the track was a fitting step forwards into the next 100 years for Lamington National Park.
“Romeo had a vision that the park would include properly surveyed tracks that were free of stones and roots so everyone, no matter their age or ability, could enjoy the rainforest,” he said.
“As the Centenary track winds through the rainforest, visitors will hear and possibly see regent and satin bowerbirds, eastern yellow robins, eastern rosellas, logrunners, Albert’s lyrebirds and noisy pittas.”
O’Reilly’s Retreat Manager Shane O’Reilly hoped people would become aware of the track as word got out, as it had a lot to offer the public.
“It’s not every track you get to see real rainforest and a waterfall and great views, and this track has them all,” he said.
“I also saw a couple with a stroller using the path, which I thought was great because it gets parents and smaller children out the house together.”
The track starts at the Green Mountains Car Park, where the start of the much-loved Moran’s Falls track and Python Rock track can also be found.
As well as being the first accessible track in Lamington National Park, the Centenary track marks a first for wider Queensland. It’s the first track in Queensland park or heritage area to be made from 95 per cent recycled asphalt pavement.
See: http://www.oreillys.com.au/activities-events/rainforest-walks