Over 8km of walking tracks through the pristine magic of our rainforest
Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat occupies 102 hectares (approx. 250 acres) bounded on three sides by Numinbah Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, an area of World Heritage significance. The escarpment of Mount Springbrook and the ridge to the north is the New South Wales state border with Queensland.
Guiding you through the lush tranquility of our genuinely pristine rainforest are over 8 kilometres of walking tracks. They wander throughout our property, 60% of which is protected by our Voluntary Conservation Agreement.
Many of our guests are so entranced by their surroundings that they never leave the property between arrival and departure.
Our four walking tracks
| Rainforest Walk | Length: 1.5km Duration: 45min round trip Difficulty: Moderate |
| Starts from the creek track which is entered from the path between Tamarind and Quandong on the lower part of the main lawn area. It has about 10 minutes of steep track. It’s best enjoyed by following the direction of the arrows on the map above. | |
| Boundary Circuit | Length: 4.5km Duration: 90min round trip Difficulty: Moderate |
| This walk begins at the same point as the Rainforest Walk and re-joins that walk as it returns to the creek near the glow worms. It too is best enjoyed by following the counter clockwise arrows on the map. | |
| Lookout Hike | Length: 4km Duration: 90min round trip Difficulty: Strenuous |
| Starts from the creek track which is entered from the path between Tamarind and Quandong on the on the lower part of the main lawn area. As the only way to a lookout is up, this is a steep hike ascending approximately 250 metres. | |
| Rockhopper's Ramble | Length: 1.5km Duration: 45min round trip Difficulty: Easy |
| The word “ramble” says it all. It also starts from the creek track which is entered from the path between Tamarind and Quandong on the lower part of the main lawn area and branches off the Rainforest Walk just before the creek bridge and follows the creek all the way to the entry gates and back up the roadway. Or follow the roadway down to the gates and walk back alongside the creek. | |
What to bring on your rainforest walk
- Take one of our excellent maps – the paths are well signposted too.
- Take one of our walking sticks for extra support. As wilderness tracks they can be uneven underfoot as well as slippery, rocky and mossy. The walking sticks are available outside the entrance to our Guest Games Room near reception.
- Water bottle(s)
- Wet weather gear
- Comfortable walking shoes – hiking boots if possible
- Camera (and suitable water-resistant bag or pouch)
- Binoculars
- Swimmers (in the warmer seasons)
- You may want to book one of our Picnic Packs so you can take your time and stop for lunch at one of the rest spots along the way.
Enjoy our birdlife
As Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat is directly adjacent to Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park, it’s a hot spot for birdwatching. In one three-hour morning session, 41 species were sighted and identified. As well as the Brush Turkeys, keep an eye out for the Regent Bowerbird, Satin Bowerbird, Rainbow Lorikeets and many other beautiful parrots and wrens.
Noisy, vibrant Rainbow Lorikeets are plentiful in the area.
The Regent Bowerbird is a shy but elegant creature.