Join Bec Sullivan of the Everyday Hiker Podcast and special guest Suzanne Noakes – local Binna Burra resident, tour guide and member of the Lamington Natural History Association as we explore her favourite walks on the Binna Burra side of Lamington National Park. We also touch on where to stay, dining options and special events with the Lamington Natural History Association to learn more about everything nature has to offer in this wonderful part of the world.
In the Scenic Rim hinterland of the Gold Coast
#Queensland #Australia
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.
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.
Above … our mob outside the Binna Burra cabins posing for the group photo. Diana is in the centre with her head poking through. I am standing behind her. Sue Coward also poking her head through and Valerie standing in the centre.
Below … tea break on the track … Diana is at the back centre next to the tree. Susan Coward in front of Diana. Valerie in the forefront.
Note … Valerie (Tunley) Joy is a shareholder through her father.
The annual Easter Bushwalking at Binna Burra, 1959.
Ours was a group of 12-15 from Redcliffe and Sandgate. We had been to Binna Burra on previous Easters but always had more boys than girls. This year, the arrival of three Brisbane girls, all school mates from Somerville House, was most welcome. It was a great weekend, and we all connected so well … bushwalking in the day and at night we had Bush Dancing, Singing and the usual Party Games like Wink and Musical Chairs.
One of the Sandgate girls told Diana I was a good kisser and my fate was sealed.
Of course, having met Diana at Easter just after “Nasho” and not having a car meant that I had to put Diana on the back burner. We did meet at a few group activities and I did phone her, once-in-a-while. It was not until Peter, her brother, had his 21st. birthday party in October and she invited me (six months after meeting) that we became “an item”.
Now that meant I had to phone once a week. We went to the city movies on a Saturday night. In those days, it was dress up for the theatres with a cup of coffee and cinnamon toast afterwards. I can’t remember Diana and I ever going for dinner on our own. Her family birthdays were celebrated at the Cathay Chinese Café in the Valley and were big events. We were engaged in May 1962 and married in May 1963. We have visited and stayed at Binna Burra on several occasions over the years.
I often wonder how many others went bushwalking at Binna Burra, met someone special, became engaged and then married … Trevor.
1959 … Peter’s Twenty first Birthday Party. 2024 … at school reunion still going strong.
Left … Lunch out on the track. Note… the boys wore their special hats when out walking.
Right … Trevor wearing his outdated Brisbane City Tram Driver’s hat. Not much use in the sun or rain.
Lyn, Graham, Richard and Noel … taking a break … late 50’s.
Looking out from Binna Burra Lodge to Egg Rock in the Numinbah Valley. 1959.
Oh Binna Burra. What memories.
To think that in 1959 I would meet my “Darling Downes”, and I have Val Tunley to thank for that as she organised for Sue Coward and me to go there to bush walk. I was at Training College then and that was my first holiday without my parents! Oh goodness gracious! Mind you, my father drove the three of us to Binna Burra.
Trev and I have returned a couple of times for a weekend, but it was in 2007 that some of the Sydney Somerville girls were up in Brisbane. A group of us decided to spend a weekend at Binna Burra to talk about our upcoming 50th Reunion in 2008.
I can remember quite clearly Marg Hill organizing a walk from O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra. “Yes” says I not realising I was letting myself in for a 21.5 km trek through rain-soaked wet jungle. The non-walkers drove us to O’Reilly’s and had a jolly good time doing whatever. The rest of us tramped off on our adventurous trek to Binna Burra.
The weather at that time was quite the opposite of now. Streams were running high, and I know that because Trev slipped on the rocks and drowned his camera … hence no records of the great event. Well, the leeches had a field day and when we finally arrived at our destination, talk about Blood on the Toga. As each group came in there were “oohs” and “aahs” and “show me your body”.
Though the Lodge and surrounds have gone, the memories will remain forever … Diana.
In the Scenic Rim hinterland of the Gold Coast
#Queensland #Australia
To be officially opened 10 January 2026.
Congratulations to Michael Neururer and his team for creating the world’s first ‘Cliff Park’ on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape.
Neururer says Happitat has been inspired by cliff-based adventures in Austria, Europe, America and Canada, and brings a range of adventure activities together in one place – creating the world’s first all-encompassing cliff park.
“In a single day, visitors can experience climbs and activities that would normally require travelling to different destinations.” he says.
“Happitat invites people into the raw beauty of nature, where testing your limits helps you rediscover your connection to yourself and the environment,” said Neururer. “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.”
‘Active outdoor adventure activities have been part of Binna Burra for more than 90 years’ explained Steve Noakes, Chair of the Board of Directors at Binna Burra. ‘We are absolutely delighted with the high quality adventure activities precinct that Happitat have created as the successful applicant in a tender process undertaken by Binna Burra Lodge following the devastation of the 2019 Australian Black Summer bushfires.’
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.” Minister Powell said.
“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.”
The multi-million-dollar project kickstarted with a $1.6 million grant from the Queensland Government.
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 Lamington National Park. 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.
By summoning the courage to take on real adventure and risk in the curated experiences, visitors are promised to leave with a perspective shift, discovering both their own resilience and their role within the landscape.
Happitat will officially open its doors on Saturday, January 10th 2026, however guests are now able purchase tickets via https://happitat.com.au/.
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.
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.
And the winner is …. the Graphic Flutterer Dragonfly (Rhyothemis graphiptera) … and it’s a formidable mosquito hunter with tiger-striped wings.
‘Congratulations to this year’s winner – the Graphic Flutterer Dragonfly!’ said Binna Burra Lodge Chairman, Steve Noakes. ‘Discovered by University of Queensland researcher, James Tweed on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape, our Binna Burra Beetle (aka ‘bird dropping beetle’ or the ‘punk beetle’ – Exastra albopilosa) didn’t make the podium this year coming in #4 with 14.8% (3,548) of the votes.’
Coming in #2 was the greengrocer cicada (Cyclochilla australiasiae), chosen by 18.7% of respondents (4,482 votes), ahead of the duck-billed Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus montanus) chosen by 16 % (3,826). The #5 position went to the giant rainforest mantis (Heirodula majuscula) with 12.7 per cent (3,038) and in last place was the mountain katydid (Acripeza reticulata) with 12.1 per cent (2,884).
Dr Ken Walker senior curator of entomology from Museums Victoria Research Institute who nominated the graphic flutterer dragonfly said: “There’s so much more we can learn. About 70 per cent of Australia’s estimated 200,000 insects haven’t even been formally described.”
The announcement of the ABC 2025 Australian Insect of the Year coincides with Australian Pollinator Week, from November 8-16, and the launch of Bug Hunt — a national citizen science project developed jointly by Invertebrates Australia, the Invasive Species Council and Australian Geographic.
Links:
2025 Insect of the Year details are at:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-07/2025-abc-insect-of-the-year-graphic-flutterer-dragonfly/105972966
Insects of Woonoongoora – Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia.
