Lamington National Park is divided into two areas; Binna Burra and the Green Mountains. This year, for e-Bird.org’s Global Big Day in October we decided to hike the Box Forest Circuit, which is part of the Green Mountains region. There are 245 species of birds in Lamington National Park, and it’s home to Australia’s largest number of sub-tropical birds.
Red-browed Finch 
Superb Fairy-wren
First, let’s get something straight. You don’t even have to hike into the forest to see amazing birds at Lamington National Park. When you arrive at the car park, you will be greeted by Crimson Rosellas, Australian King Parrots and a variety of honeyeaters. In our case we also saw at least 10 more species before starting our walk, including Regent Bowerbirds, Red-browed Finches, Superb Fairy-wrens and a Satin Bowerbird.
Regent Bowerbird 
Satin Bowerbird 
Bower: complete with Mentos wrapper
The Box Forest Circuit begins near the end of Lamington National Park road, opposite O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. The closest place you can park your car is here and there are restrooms opposite the reception. The park is open 24/7 and while it’s best to arrive early in the morning for bird watching, we suggest you avoid driving in the dark. There are many wallabies on the road and hitting one with your car is not only emotionally traumatising, but it may destroy the front of your car. Lamington National Park Road is also narrow and windy, and in some places only one lane wide.
To get to the start of the Box Forest Circuit you actually have to walk along the Border Track and then the Picnic Rock Track. Check out the official map here. Although the map looks rather confusing, the trail is well-signed along the way. Just make sure you stop and read each sign so that you don’t miss a turn-off. Interestingly, the massive brush box trees you will encounter on the trail are 1500 years old, making them the oldest known trees in Australia.
The Box Forest Circuit is almost entirely shaded and offers great protection from the Australian sun. There are a few sections of the trail which involve walking over uneven rocks, under or over logs and stepping stones over streams. Otherwise the trail is even ground, with a mild decline on the way down the valley and similarly a mild incline on the way back up. There are no bathrooms on the trail. Even in spring it was a bit cold in the early morning and late afternoon, so if you’re a cold frog don’t forget to bring a sweater.
Paradise Riflebird (female) 
Australian King Parrot 
Welcome Swallow
After finishing the Box Forest Circuit and returning onto the Border Trail, you may wish to take the Tree Top Walk. It’s not very well signed until you reach it. Once you reach O’Reilly’s Botanical Garden just keep walking (don’t enter the garden) and you will find it. The Tree Top Walk is free of charge and consists of 9 suspension bridges approximately 15 metres off the ground. Apparently it was the first of its kind in the world. It also includes a ‘birds-eye’ viewing deck that you can climb up to, which is around 30 metres of the ground.
Before you start your hike in Lamington National Park, we suggest you familiarise yourself with the peculiar sounds of the Eastern Whipbird, Green Catbird and Paradise Riflebird. The sounds of these birds fill the forest and you will be wondering to yourself, “what the heck is that bird?” for most of the day, unless you figure it out prior. We used the Merlin Bird ID iPhone App to identify birds and their sounds along the way. Just make sure you download the Southeast Australia bird pack prior.
Crimson Rosella 
Currawong 
Eastern Spinebill
Stopping very frequently to look for birds, we spent 9 hours in total at Lamington National Park. Of this, approximately 7.5 hours was along the Box Forest Circuit. The other 1.5 hours we spent around the bird feeding area (adjacent to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat reception). You can purchase bird seed during business hours, otherwise bring some with you to attract the Crimson Rosellas and Australian King Parrots.
[Male & Female Australian King Parrots]
We were really hoping to see the male Paradise Riflebird during our day out at Lamington National Park. In fact, we heard several of the males calling out from within the depths of the forest, but we were never able to capture a glimpse of one! Right at the end of the day, we did come across a female Paradise Riflebird. We also bumped into a birding enthusiast who managed to find the elusive Albert’s Lyrebird that morning. So, needless to say, we will be back!
