In the Scenic Rim hinterland of the Gold Coast
#Queensland #Australia
Opening of the new via ferrata activity as part of the new Happitat Cliff Park on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape.
Binna Burra extends congratulations to Michael Neururer and his team for creating the world’s first ‘Cliff Park’ on land owned by Binna Burra Lodge, adjacent to the Lamington National Park – part of the World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
Taking an original idea from Binna Burra’s guest activities team over a decade ago for a via ferrata experience, Happitat has expanded the early concept and taken it to new heights – inspired by Michael’s experiences in cliff-based adventures in Austria, Europe, America and Canada. It brings a high-quality range of adventure activities together in one place – creating the world’s first all-encompassing cliff park.
Photo: Michael Neururer of Happitat and Steve Noakes, Chairperson of Binna Burra Lodge
The adventure experience begins with the Arete Via Ferrata Climb where guests step over the edge for a breathtaking ascent across an 80-metre bridge, moving through tightropes and timber crossings suspended high above the valley. From there, they launch into Total Exposure, the park’s longest and highest zipline, gliding 200 metres above the forest.
Next, thrill-seekers take on The Overhang Zipline Course, soaring past waterfalls and rugged cliff faces, before concluding with the Edge Park Explorer, a chance to slow down, wander shaded bush trails, dip into crystal-clear natural pools and take in sweeping views from a 12-metre cantilevered platform suspended 400 metres above the valley floor.
‘Active outdoor adventure activities have been part of the Binna Burra story for more than 90 years,’ explained Steve Noakes, Chair of the Board of Directors at Binna Burra Lodge.
‘We are absolutely delighted with the new adventure activities precinct at Binna Burra that Happitat has created. The via ferrata idea was a successful applicant in a Queensland Government ‘Attracting Tourism Fund’ competitive tender process undertaken by Binna Burra Lodge following the devastation of the 2019 Australian Black Summer bushfires. Michael’s
Happitat company has added many millions of dollars in very high-quality technical constructions to create something very special for Queensland adventure tourism in our wonderful natural setting.”
Michael Neururer said: “In a single day, visitors can experience climbs and activities that would normally require travelling to different destinations. Happitat invites people into the raw beauty of nature, where testing your limits helps you rediscover your connection to yourself and the environment. When people feel connected to nature, they’re more compelled to protect it, and that is a big part of what we’re all about.”
The Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the Happitat Adventure Park will become a must-do experience for those chasing adventure. “Queensland is the home of the holiday, and this world-first on the Gold Coast is another exceptional reason to visit.”
Photo: Hon Andrew Powell MP, Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Government of Queensland and Steve Noakes, Chair of the Board of Directors, Binna Burra Lodge at the opening of Happitat on Saturday 10th January 2026.
He added: “We’ll continue supporting world-class ecotourism experiences as we aim to become the ecotourism capital of Australia – a key priority of our ambitious 20-year tourism plan Destination 2045.”
Noakes concluded: ‘The decades of adventure activities at Binna Burra have always involved physical activity and interaction with nature, often involving elements of risk, challenge and personal growth. As in the past, the new Happitat experiences will push adventure seekers outside their normal comfort zones. That’s a good thing as it can result in transformative experiences as ‘Happitat graduates’ reflect on new skills they have developed, building their self-confidence.’
The Unlimited Cliff Pass provides a full-day, once-in-a-lifetime journey through one of Queensland’s most remarkable natural landscapes.
Guests can purchase tickets via happitat.com.au.
Accommodation
For overnight stays at Binna Burra, see the options and prices at binnaburralodge.com.au/book-online/
Media Enquiries
Binna Burra Lodge: Steve Noakes, Chair of the Board of Directors
Ph: 0418774295. Email: [email protected]
Happitat: Ella Moore – IVY PR
Ph: 0491 102 142. Email: [email protected]
About Binna Burra Lodge
Commencing in 1933, Binna Burra Lodge is one of Australia’s oldest nature-based tourism locations in the scenic rim hinterland of Australia’s Gold Coast. This social business is an unlisted public company owning 32 hectares of land surrounded by Woonoongoora (Lamington National Park), part of the world heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. In 2019 the heritage listed lodge and cabin accommodation were destroyed in the early stages of what became known as the Black Summer Bushfires across Australia. When the business was able to reopen one year after the bushfires, a new Master Plan included an Adventure Activity Precinct with an innovative new via ferrata experience. Happitat won the tender to create something bigger and better – it’s called the ‘Cliff Park’. It is an incredible new active outdoor experience for Queensland and Australian tourism @ Binna Burra.
Binna Burra’ Chair, Steve Noakes, commenced his involvement in adventure tourism activities in New Zealand in the 1970s. He is a retired Lecturer in Adventure Tourism at Bond University in Australia and UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He said adventure tourism involves some degree of real or perceived risk.
‘While it may require specific skills and some physical effort, there is a spectrum from ‘soft adventure’ to ‘hard adventure’ options available. Where lower risk and less demanding activities such as a simple bush walk can be experienced, at the other end of the spectrum there are higher risk activities that might require specific skills, experience and competence – such as climbing very high mountains! With the opening of the new Happitat Cliff Park and the via ferrata, zip line and other experiences in nature, here Binna Burra we will now be able to offer a broader range of soft adventure through to more moderate levels of adventure for visitors into the scenic rim hinterland of the Gold Coast.’
About Happitat
Happitat Adventure Park is a nature-based adventure destination set within Binna Burra in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Opening in December 2025, it was created to reconnect people with nature through transformative outdoor experiences that inspire happiness, courage and conservation. At Happitat, adventure is more than thrill, it’s a return to presence. Whether soaring across cliffs on the Ultimate Zipline, scaling the Arête Via Ferrata, or pausing on the cantilevered Edge Platform, each experience is designed to awaken awareness and deepen connection with the natural world. Happitat believes true conservation begins with emotional connection—when people feel part of nature, they are inspired to protect it. Surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, the experience is guided by principles of sustainability and regeneration, ensuring its operations protect and enhance the ecosystems living within it.
