Queensland Term Abroad

Lamington National Park

Lamington VI — 16 October: Border Track

A highlight of our visit to Lamington was an 18 km hike through the forest. The national park is situated on the flanks of an ancient volcano, which erupted last about 10 million years ago. Because of its volcanic heritage, Lamington has rich soils and abundant rainfall, which permits an explosion of life. The mountainous terrain also yields spectacular scenery, including a series of picturesque waterfalls over which we walked. One stream had carved a series of pools at the base of a large fall, offering us a place for a mid-morning bathe. Cresting the ridge, we got our first look at Nothofagus, the southern beech. This tree is common is cooler climes, to the south in New South Wales and New Zealand, but can only survive in cool, moist, mossy mountains of Queensland. The ancient volcano's rim also offered a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape and, in the distance, Gold Coast waves crashed on the shore. Thanks to Carla Delucia for several pictures.