Wondering what Lamington National Park camping options there are? Then read our O’Reilly’s Camping guide.
The O’Reilly’s Campground (formally known as the Green Mountain Campground) is a brilliant place to base yourself while exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Lamington National Park. From here, you can easily walk to the start of all the walking tracks in the Green Mountain section of the national park, plus it’s just a short stroll from all the facilities available at the O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
The campground offers first class facilities, plus it has stunning views across the McPherson Ranges. It also offers some gorgeous Lamington National Park glamping tents, which are perfect for bringing family or friends along who may not be so keen on camping.
For those considering a stay at the O’Reilly’s campground – this guide will cover everything you need to know. The guide covers the different site and glamping options as well as details on all the park’s facilities.
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Main photo credit – Andy Macpherson Studio & Aspect Architecture
Where is O’Reilly’s Campground?
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is surrounded by the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Lamington National Park, part of Australia’s ancient Gondwana Rainforests. The Lamington National Park is just gorgeous, consisting of mountains with breathtaking vistas, lush, dense rainforests, numerous flowing creeks and waterfalls and an array of Australian wildlife.
The O’Reillys Retreat is located at the top of a mountain within the National Park – and it is a bit of a hike to get there. It’s around a 90 minute drive from the Gold Coast or around 2 hours from Brisbane and at least 1 hour of that is driving up the narrow windy Lamington National Park.
While the drive up to the retreat is slow going, it is a beautiful drive and well worth it once you arrive. If towing a camper trailer or campervan, you will need to take extra care.
Click here to read about things to do around O’Reilly’s.
O’Reilly’s Camping Options
O’Reilly’s has a range of different campsites as well as glamping safari tents. Below is a brief overview of the various options available.
Click here to see a map of the campground.
Campsites
In total, there are 49 campsites within the grounds. This comprises 28 unpowered sites suitable for tents and 21 sites suitable for camper trailers or camper vans – 4 of which are powered.
Tent Sites
With unpowered sites, you are unable to have your car on your campsite. There is parking close by – but you will need to carry everything over to your site. Campsites are on a compacted crusher dust base – except for the Bushwalkers camping sites.
There are three different types of unpowered campsites:
- Base (Image one above): There are 14 of these sites located lower on the side of the mountain. For the best views, stay in the campsites around the unloading zone. There are a few Base campsites at the top of the campgrounds, but other campsites block the views of these sites. From $30 per night for four people.
- Altitude (Image two above): There are 10 of these sites, all located at the very top of the campgrounds close to the camp kitchen. For the best views, stay in one of the campsites at the side of the camp kitchen. From $40 per night for four people.
- Bushwalkers: There are 4 of these sites, which are nestled among the scrubland and are much further from the car parks and amenities. From $27 per night for four people.
Camper Van / Camper Trailer Sites
For camping in a camper trailer/camper van, you’ll need to book a camper trailer site.
There are some camper trailer sites at the top of the campgrounds which don’t have any views, nor do the powered sites. In fact, there are only a few camper trailer sites that are around the Base campsites in the centre of the grounds that offer any views.
Camper trailer sites start at $40 per night for an unpowered site or $50 per night for a powered site. These rates are for two people, with extra people costing $10 each per night.
I personally don’t think the camper trailer sites are that great and given the additional cost; I’d recommend going with a tent site – leave the trailer at home for this camping trip. It will be much easier getting up the mountain without it anyway. Plus, the sites don’t allow for a car and your trailer / van – so you’ll need to park your car elsewhere.
Safari Tents
There are 17 safari tents that are perfect for those who don’t want to set up a tent or prefer to sleep in a comfy bed. These safari tents can sleep four people, with each tent coming with a queen bed and a set of bunk beds.
All safari tents are powered, have lights and a spacious deck with an outdoor table and chairs.
If staying in a safari tent, you will need to bring all your own bedding, including pillows, towels and blankets. You’ll also need to bring along all cooking equipment, plates, cups etc.
Safari tents start at $105 per night for four people.
Other O’Reilly’s Accommodation Options
Of course O’Reilly’s also has the retreat where you’ll find a range of other accommodation options. Check out this guide on staying at the O’Reilly’s Retreat for further information.
Camping Facilities at O’Reilly’s
While not bursting with loads of facilities, at O’Reilly’s you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Camp Kitchen
Photo credit Andy Macpherson Studio & Aspect Architecture
O’Reilly’s camp kitchen is a real stand out – one of the best camp kitchens I’ve ever seen! The camp kitchen is huge! It’s all indoors, so perfect when the weather is poor – but it is surrounded by glass doors and has fantastic views across the McPherson Range.
Within the kitchen, you’ll find everything you need to whip up some great meals. There is a huge cooking bench, gas cooktop, microwave, toasters, fridge and hot water dispenser, You’ll need to bring all your own cooking gear though such as pots, pans, cutlery, plates etc.
Also, there is a huge dining area with plenty of tables and chairs and outside is a spacious deck with bar stools looking out across the valley – the perfect place to enjoy your meals. The deck also has two BBQs.
If you don’t feel like cooking dinner, you can also order from the O’Reilly’s Retreat Dining Room and have your meals delivered here. Click here to view the menu.
Fire Pit
Photo credit Andy Macpherson Studio & Aspect Architecture
Right outside the camp kitchen is a large communal fire pit that guests as welcome to use. There are great views from here, so it’s a good place for watching the sunset.
Firewood can be purchase from the O’Reilly’s Cafe – just a short walk away.
Amenities Block
There is one large amenities block at the back of the campgrounds, which has 9 toilets and 10 showers. Unless you’re staying in the Altitude campsites or the camper trailer sites at the top of the grounds, it is a bit of a walk from the other sites, particularly from the safari tents.
There are, however two smaller blocks of toilets located closer to the safari tents – so at least you don’t have to walk too far to go to the toilet.
Laundry
While there is not laundry within the campgrounds, there is a coin operated laundry within the O’Reillys Retreat, which camping guests are welcome to use. It is a bit of a hike though, from the campgrounds – located at the very far side of the guest house. I’d recommend going to the reception first and ask for directions as there are no signs anywhere to otherwise locate it.
Washing machines and dryers are $3 per cycle (need 3 x $1 coins) and washing powder can be purchased from reception for $1 for a single load sachet.
Things to do at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
If exploring the beautiful Lamington National Park wasn’t enough – there are loads of things you can do at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Click here for a full guide of the activities available at O’Reilly’s, as well as information on the various walks.
O’Reilly’s Camping – Our Verdict
I do like the O’Reilly’s campground – however, some of the campsites here are really not very nice in my view. The camper trailer sites, in particular, don’t have a nice outlook, nor do some of the Base camps.
If you can stay in one of the Base or Altitude campsites which have that fantastic view (they don’t all have views, so choose wisely) – then you’re in for a real treat! However, you can’t have your car on your site – so you will need to be prepared to carry everything over.
The camp kitchen is brilliant, so it’s well worth packing light and using this great facility. Some of the best views in the entire campsite are here anyway – so this is a great place to enjoy all your meals.
Overall it’s a nice campsite and is well positioned for exploring all the various walking tracks – you won’t need to drive anywhere as all the tracks start just a short walk away. It’s also nice to have the option of having meals or drinks over at the O’Reilly’s Retreat too if you like.
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Hopefully you found this guide on staying at O’Reilly’s Campground helpful. If you enjoy campgrounds close to fabulous walking tracks, then you might enjoy our guide on camping at Carnavon Gorge or camping at Bunya Mountains.
