A day at Lamington National Park
On the way to Lamington National Park
Recently, I went on a spontaneous trip to Lamington National Park with some friends, and it was a wonderful experience. It all began when A invited me to join her and Sifa for a day trip to the park. Despite our packed schedules (one of us had just finished a night shift and had work later that day, and A had evening commitments), we decided to make it happen. We planned to meet at 7:30 a.m. That morning the plan shifted a little, with a suggestion to swing by home first for a change of clothes, just in case we stumbled across a pool to swim in. We reshuffled our plans so that Sifa collected everyone in turn, me in the middle and A last.
Lamington National Park
We had a minor hiccup with navigation when Google Maps briefly led us off course, but we soon got back on track. Leaving the city behind, we drove out through open country, past Hinze Dam and into the rainforest. Tall trees closed over the road like a canopy and gave us shade, and the winding roads added to the sense of adventure. Upon arrival, we discovered we were at the wrong visitor center, but a helpful staff member quickly redirected us to the correct one nearby. There, we decided on a 3 km trail leading to Gwongoorool Pool. The trail was rugged and steep in places, which made the hike feel more challenging and rewarding. I found myself drifting to the back of the group, content to soak in the surroundings and snap photos at my own pace.
Climbing down towards the Gwongoorool Pool
Lamington National Park, located in Queensland, Australia, is part of the Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Established in 1915, the park is known for its diverse ecosystems, ancient Antarctic beech trees, and a wide range of flora and fauna, some of which are rare or endangered. Named after Lord Lamington, the then-Governor of Queensland, the park spans over 20,000 hectares of subtropical rainforest. It has long been a popular destination for hikers, offering numerous trails, stunning waterfalls, and panoramic views of the Gold Coast hinterland. The area also holds cultural significance for the Yugambeh people, the traditional custodians of the land.
Tall trees of the Lamington National Park
When we reached the pool, the sight of the clear, cold water nestled among rocks was irresistible. Despite the chill, we all decided to take a dip. A, who usually hesitates around water, surprised us by confidently joining in. The others were quick to plunge in, eager to make the most of it. We spent a good while there, laughing and relaxing, small fish darting around our feet. On the way back we all felt quietly satisfied, and agreed we should do more of these spur-of-the-moment trips. It was a good day, the kind I want more of.
L: Gwongoorool Pool; M,R: On the way back