The first of its kind in Australia, O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk allows you to experience the rain forest canopy. Located next to Lamington National Park, the 590-foot-long (180-meter-long) walkway, much of which stands at 52 feet (16 meters), features nine suspension bridges and two observation decks for spectacular views.
Visitors to O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk stroll through a canopy of flowering and fruiting trees, covered in vines, ferns, and orchids and home to numerous birds and animals. The two observation decks are accessible by ladder and allow a unique, bird’s-eye view. The highest deck, 98.5 feet (30 meters) off the forest floor, allows visitors to emerge from the top of the canopy to take in sweeping views across the rain forest. Informative placards help visitors identify plants along the walk.
Guided full-day trips to O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk from Brisbane and the Gold Coast are available and often stop at nearby attractions such as Mt. Tamborine and Gallery Walk. Active visitors will enjoy the many hiking trails nearby, while younger visitors can take on activities such as bird feeding and learning to throw a boomerang.
O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk is free to experience.
Visitors should wear comfortable, flat-soled shoes.
The weather is several degrees cooler here than in Brisbane or the Gold Coast; it’s a good idea to pack a light layer and some wet-weather gear.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the reception area at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
For those not visiting as part of a guided tour, be aware that the road up is very narrow and winding.
O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk is located at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, at the western edge of Lamington National Park. It’s about two hours by road south of Brisbane and 90 minutes by road west of the Gold Coast. Access the mountain resort via Canungra.
O’Reilly’s is open year-round and can be visited anytime. The best time to see birds is either early morning or late afternoon. The most pleasant weather is during the Australian spring (September through November) and autumn (March through May), when it’s warm but not wet.
In addition to the treetop walk, there are numerous other activities at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Hikes are always popular, particularly to waterfalls such as Moran’s Falls and Elabana Falls. Other activities include bird feeding, ziplining, a birds of prey show, a glowworm experience, and a Segway tour, among others.
