While it lacks the panoramic views that you get when you lunch at the Ship’s Stern or on a rock ledge overlooking Wivenhoe and Somerset, the Box Forest Circuit is one of the most beautiful walks in South East Queensland.
The trail starts at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and branches from the Border Track about 3.2km from the trailhead.
The Box Forest circuit gets its name from the truly majestic Brush Box trees (Lophostemon confertus). The Brush Box trees in the Lamington National Park are the oldest trees on the Australian mainland, and in other parts of this world heritage listed park, similar trees have been radio carbon dated at 1,500 years old. There is one particular tree which is the reason that I am drawn back to this walk. I am diminutive when I sit on the great knobbly base of its trunk; it truly helps to keep things in perspective.
The Brush Box are what draws me back, but they are not the only spectacular feature of this beautiful walk. The walk follows Canungra Creek and affords the opportunity to get up close to some of the smaller falls in the hinterland. If you take the walk in a clockwise direction (recommended), when you start the descent down to the creek you will soon hear the crash of water onto rock, and the first falls you encounter, the Yanbacoochie Falls. From the track the vegetation only very slightly obscures your view, but this adds to the charm of the falls, and in the interests of keeping the park as unspoiled as possible, I recommend enjoying the falls framed in this way. There are more opportunities for uninterrupted waterfall experiences further on.
Here also is the first creek crossing; the rocks are large, and there is little chance of getting wet feet. This part of the walk takes you along the eastern side of the creek, and is where you encounter one of the most majestic specimens of the ancient Brush Box in the park.
It was at the next creek crossing that, on this occasion, we decided to stop for lunch and boil the billy. Soon after this second crossing, on a short side track, are the Box Log or Tullerigumai Falls. Here the water has gouged its way through the rock so that you stand at the bottom of these falls in a narrow granite chasm. The intimacy of the area makes the side trip worth a little time to sit and contemplate.
The climb back up is a gentle gradient, and brings you to the Elabana Falls, the final and largest falls on the track. These are two-tiered falls that provide great opportunities for photography with slow shutter speeds. Along our walk we encountered a couple, he with his camera, she carrying the tripod (a not uncommon arrangement with P and me). They were having a wonderful time photographing the falls.
But Box Forest circuit is not just the big trees and falls; it is also the little things like ferns, lichens and mushrooms clinging tenaciously to rocks and fallen trees stumps, and sitting by the creek enjoying a cup of tea while watching the water at your feet rushing through little channels between the rocks.
Stats
Location: Lamington National Park – Green Mountain Section
Access point: O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat
Length: 11.8 km / 4 hours
Grade: Class 4
Links
GPS Track (GPX format)
Lamington National Park website
Green Mountains Section Map
Guide to the Australian walking track grading system
