Staying At The O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park [Review]

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The highway to the western fringe of the Australia World Heritage-Listed Lamington Nationwide Park was lengthy and windy, so we have been able to test in and begin stress-free on the iconic O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

Well-known for not solely its eco lodging choices however the number of actions and sights you are able to do right here.

From wildlife encounters to bush walks to treetop walks and the enduring flying fox zip wire – there are such a lot of issues to do at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat for all of the household.

However what’s it like to remain there? Does it stay as much as the hype? On this information, we share our expertise whereas visiting Lamington Nationwide Park.

The O’Reilly Story

However first, what’s O’Reilly Rainforest retreat? There’s truly an amazing story behind the household run O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

Three generations of O’Reilly household have been welcoming folks for over 90 years into their house and delightful yard.

We met two generations within the breakfast room, and each have been very heat and pleasant chatting with all their company. Jack was even popping bread within the toaster for everybody.

On the nineteenth of February 1937, a Stinson airliner crashed into the Lamington Ranges killing 4 of the seven on board. A search failed to show up any wreckage, however decided to seek out the aircraft, Bernard O’Reilly set out on foot to seek out it within the thick bush.

He discovered it together with two folks nonetheless alive and in determined want of medical assist. They have been rescued and survived.

You may comply with in his footsteps by following the 35km Stinson stroll path. O’Reilly’s gives guided hikes to the crash web site.

Our Expertise at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

We drove by means of the gorgeous sub-tropical rainforest and by in regards to the 73rd flip we have been over it and hoped that our vacation spot could be value it.

When O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat appeared earlier than us, we have been so glad to see it.

And you realize what? After our two-night keep at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, a well-liked Gold Coast Hinterland lodging, I’d simply do that windy scenic drive by means of the Lamington Nationwide Park once more – a number of instances!

Generally the perfect locations are hidden away to protect their sanctity, and that’s the way it felt at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

The chaos of life can not enter right here. There are simply historical forests, birdsong, potoroos and ease.

Here’s what it’s like to remain at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

Staying in an Eco-Villa at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Up right here in Lamington Nationwide Park there are not any retailers or roads, solely a lodge, a Misplaced World Day Spa, family-friendly rainforest retreats, and opulent eco-villas.

And what lovely villas they have been at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

Fashionable, up to date, spacious, and self-contained and designed to soften into the Gondwana rainforests of Australia setting.

That they had all of the facilities you would wish for staying in a rainforest however with the extra luxurious ironing boards, towels, and sizzling showers, plus the rooms have been air-conditioned.

You even have a full kitchen with a fridge, espresso/tea makers, and a giant island for getting ready meals.

Every villa has all the protection options to ease the minds of anxious vacationers, akin to a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fireplace extinguisher, first assist package, a safety system, and window guards. With all these security options, it felt safe.

You’ve acquired inexperienced mountain views from the balcony, or by means of the glass fold-back doorways if it’s slightly chilly. However, don’t fear if there may be, the gasoline fire in your rainforest villa will heat you up.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too chilly for us to take pleasure in a spa bathtub on the balcony with a chilly glass of wine after one of the awe-inspiring days now we have had as a household on this Australian highway journey.

Since we have been travelling as a household, we opted for considered one of their mountain villas.

If you’re travelling with babies, you’ll be able to put in particular requests with the entrance desk workers for further beds for 0-3-year-olds, that are small rollaway beds with extra mattress sheets. This does price a small extra price.

In addition they produce other mountain view rooms of various sizes, some with both a queen mattress, king mattress, or twin mattress. Some rooms have a twin trundle mattress to permit you some further house through the day.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is the right spot to unplug on a Gold Coast household vacation.

Are you able to see the enjoyment on our faces sharing this second collectively?

Flying Fox Zip Wire Expertise

We loved our time suspended 30 meters above the bottom as we zipped alongside a 180m cable over the rainforest.

Forwards and backwards we went on the flying fox. Not simply Craig and I, however the entire household. Sure, it’s a second I’ll always remember.

The ladies watched me as I set off first, zooming above the forest and waving to them down beneath.

They have been harnessed up simply in case, however I wasn’t anticipating a just-in-case. I hopped off on the finish able to tag Craig when Kalyra piped up and stated, “I”m going to go on it, Mum.”

“I’m going too, Mumma.”

I seemed all the way down to my knees on the eyes making an attempt to peak out and above the helmet engulfing her head.

“You wish to go Savannah. Are you positive? It’s very excessive up.”

“Sure. I wish to go.”

She turned and walked off with Craig and Kalyra.

“I’ll come to get them if they alter their minds,” I shouted at Craig realizing that once they stood on the sting of the platform they’d hen out. It’s a great distance down from that vantage.

I watched from afar as a tiny speck walked onto the platform and acquired related. My coronary heart began racing and my breath caught in my throat.

“OMG she’s going!”

I screamed to the catcher behind me. She walked straight to the sting of the sloping platform holding Craig’s hand till he may maintain it no extra after which weeeeee off she flew.

I used to be shocked.

She confronted worry head-on, my two and half-year-old, the youngest and smallest to tackle the flying fox at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat went hovering by means of the air, 30 metres above the bushes holding on and looking out round.

Her spirit made my coronary heart soar with love and admiration. She was slightly shell-shocked, however stated she had enjoyable.

We sat and watched Kalyra get able to go. I may inform she was scared and, if her sister had not simply proven her the way it was completed, I’m positive she would have bailed.

However she adopted in her footsteps and away she went. There was no silence from her, solely pure squeals of pleasure.

“Oh my god Mummy, that was a lot enjoyable. I’m going to go once more.”

And off she went. We needed to drag her away after her sixth go.

Savannah stated she wished to go once more, however this time she pulled out on the final minute. Now she knew what it was actually about and the worry grabbed a maintain of her.

However, after watching us have a lot enjoyable for the remainder of the afternoon, she determined she may not maintain again. Up she went once more and this time she took off.

She did get off that experience and took the helmet off with a really agency, “No extra. “ She does love to inform the story of the Flying Fox now and he or she at all times says how she was not afraid.

I used to be so tremendous happy with my women for displaying such braveness regardless of their worry. I believe it taught them a lot about worry and the way we are able to transfer by means of it and nonetheless be alright.

While you go to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat soar on the flying fox! It’ll improve your Gold Coast household vacation reminiscences.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Birds of Prey Encounters

It wasn’t simply the flying fox that made it such a particular couple of days for us. We additionally loved a few wildlife exhibits that the retreat places on for its company.

The Birds of Prey Present was a spotlight for the ladies. They beloved getting near wedge-tailed eagles, barn owls, and kites and studying all about their abilities as hunters and flyers.

Kalyra can now recognise these birds after we’re out and about and I like how a lot she is studying due to experiences like this.

If you happen to’re a hen lover then you’ll love popping out to O’Reilly’s Retreat.

I don’t know a lot about birds besides that Australia has extra species than another nation. And I met loads of hen lovers who have been recording every of those they’d seen in small black notebooks.

One couple from the States had seen over 350 on their five-month tour of Australia. They came visiting right here for hen watching and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat was considered one of their first stops.

The Lamington Nationwide Park is famend as considered one of Australia’s premier birding areas with over 232 recorded species.

Dawn Chicken Watching Tour

I had risen early to hitch the bird-watching tour. I didn’t care a lot for seeing the birds, I simply wished an early morning stroll within the forest with none youngsters climbing throughout me.

I surprisingly loved myself on the hen walks and beloved all of the birds.

There are such a lot of of them and so fairly and their personalities are so totally different and cute.

I didn’t mark any off in my guide and I can’t bear in mind lots of their names, however I loved their little beaks snatching walnuts from my fingers.

And I totally loved seeing the eagerness the others in our group had for birds and the enjoyment on their faces when every new one flew on our path.

Isn’t journey an exquisite portal for pursuing these issues that make our hearts sing?

Segway Enjoyable at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Craig was capable of break off and have his trip later as soon as the solar had warmed up the mountains.

The ladies and I simply chilled in our rainforest villa with the mountain views, whereas he went cruising on the rainforest highway two-wheeled segway by means of the rainforest.

It was his first time on a segway, and while he stated it was slightly bizarre at first, as soon as he acquired the texture of it after a 30-minute coaching session, it was easygoing.

The 90-minute guided segway tour goes to the lookout level excessive of Moran’s Falls.

The Tree Prime Stroll at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

On our first afternoon, we took the beautiful Tree Prime Boardwalk by means of a cover of flowering and fruiting vine-covered bushes.

The Tree Prime Stroll was the primary of its form in Australia, is 180 meters in size, and is made up of 9 suspension bridges, with a lot of the walkway being 15 meters above the bottom.

It’s additionally free to do the Tree Prime Stroll, one of many few free issues to do in O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

There have been ladders going up a Strangler Fig tree to an remark deck 30 metres above the bottom. The views of the Lamington Nationwide Park out to NSW and Mt Warning have been gorgeous.

The Gold Coast Hinterland is one thing particular.

I ought to have realized then Kalyra would have completed the flying fox as she scrambled up the tree together with her daddy to have a look. Savannah wished to do the identical, however fearful Mummy pulled her again ( I’ve a slight ladder phobia).

Bush Walks in Lamington Nationwide Park

The Lamington Nationwide Park accommodates over 160 km of graded strolling tracks and an identical distance of strolling trails that result in lookouts waterfalls and a few of Queensland’s most important wilderness.

O’Reilly’s provide guided walks or you’ll be able to set out on foot your self on any of the paths that fit your fancy. There’s the enjoyable creek crossings to Moran’s Fall, a well-liked strolling observe from O’Reilly’s.

The Border Monitor is a well-liked full-day hike between Inexperienced Mountains and Binna Burra. Boasting gorgeous surroundings and spectacular views, the Border observe is the spine of the nationwide park and a part of the longer Gold Coast Hinterland Nice Stroll

The O’Reilly’s Retreat Rainforest Bar

We loved some glad hour cocktails in The Rainforest Bar.

It wasn’t a transparent evening for us, however the sundown on the verandah overlooking the mountains with views that go on endlessly is spectacular (though it was additionally fairly good from our room within the spa!).

For dinner, we dined within the eating room, which is open for a buffet breakfast and a gourmand a la carte dinner.

The meals right here is outstanding, the soup of the day was one of many tastiest soups I’ve had and their pizzas are to die for.

You may also order room service from the eating room throughout restricted hours or eat on the retreat’s espresso store, O’Reilly’s Mountain Café and Reward Store, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Go to dinner early if you wish to see the glow worm tour at 8pm within the night. We did discover service within the eating room and lunch cafe slightly sluggish.

Glow Worm Tour

We needed to scoff down deserts and the ladies needed to go away ice-cream of their bowls (tragedy I do know!!), but it surely was value it although because the glow worm tour was actually superior.

Once more, one other expertise the place my women soak up the magic of the world they stay in.

Our information stored us entertained as we walked by means of the bush by torchlight to the Glow Worm Grotto. A whole bunch of them sat on the rock wall on the fringe of the creek, luring bugs into their house utilizing their bioluminescent taillight.

It was really spectacular and our information was very informative, and humorous, in regards to the lifetime of a glow worm. We additionally noticed many bandicoots alongside the stroll – the primary I’d ever seen within the wild.

Spa at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

After all, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat will not be all about journey and enjoyable, it’s additionally a spot for leisure and rejuvenation. Properly, it’s a resort, in spite of everything!

Head over to the Misplaced World Day Spa for a nourishing physique therapy akin to sizzling stone massages, facials, physique wraps, physique scrubs, and extra.

The onsite spa has seven therapy rooms together with particular rooms for {couples}. You may also have aromatherapy remedies and benefit from the sauna and infinity pool.

The spa is open Monday – Sunday from 9am – 5pm (6pm on Friday and Saturday), however hours differ on Tuesdays. You will have to test with reception on instances if you’re planning your go to for a Tuesday as hours at all times change.

The spa is just for ages 16+.

O’Reilly Rainforest Retreat Swimming pools

If you happen to’re travelling through the heat summer season months, you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of out of doors swimming pools to chill off in.

Beneath the Commentary Deck, you’ll discover some refreshing out of doors swimming pools, together with a youngsters’s pool for toddlers to splash round in.

Public Areas

If you’re not planning on staying at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and are simply concerned about visiting for a day, you’ll discover there are many public areas the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a picnic and calm down within the jungle.

The general public areas are free to go to however there may be a further cost to hitch the guided walks and benefit from the sights and wildlife encounter exhibits.

There’s free wifi in all public areas and free self parking.

Canungra Valley Vineyards

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat additionally has its personal winery which is situated outdoors of Canungra on Lamington Nationwide Park Highway.

Right here you’ll be able to take pleasure in wine tasting (in fact) and stroll across the winery grounds. You’ll even discover an alpaca farm right here!

You may also benefit from the winery’s scrumptious meals, which is thought for its pizza and cheese boards.

In addition they provide picnic baskets full of some scrumptious cheeses and wines, which is good for many who neglect to pack their very own picnic!

Test-In/Test-Out Expertise

It was tremendous simple to test out and in of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. You merely want to point out them your reserving affirmation, the bank card or debit card you used to make your reserving, and your passport.

The entrance desk is open each day between 7am and 9pm, so in case you plan to reach after 9pm it’s essential to inform the workers prematurely.

They require a money deposit for incidental expenses however you get this again if you try.

The place is O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat?

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is situated solely a two-hour scenic drive from Brisbane and 90 minutes west of the Gold Coast. It’s 86km away from Coolangatta Airport (about 1 hour 45 minutes drive).

O’Reilly’s gives a spread of lodging choices from the normal appeal of the retreat (formally the guesthouse) or the fashionable self-contained villas, situated 700m away from the primary constructing.

All company staying at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat can take pleasure in free parking. Test rental automobile costs from the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Journey Ideas

Considering of spending time on The Gold Coast? Then these guides might assist you to plan your Gold Coast household vacation: