Tipped to be one of the Gold Coast's most captivating tourist attractions, Lamington National Park is a one-of-a-kind sanctuary for nature lovers. Named after a former Queensland Governor, this vast expanse located close to Brisbane is one of the main reasons to tour the Gold Coast Hinterland. Whether you are stopping by for a day tour or spending several days experiencing the Gondwana Rainforest that's part of the parkland, here are some tips on how to make your experience a memorable one.

Sarah Kamenarov, Waterfall Lamington National Park, CC BY-SA 4.0

Those who wish to explore Lamington National Park when it is at its finest in terms of weather conditions should time their visit. Although it is possible to enjoy a day out at Lamington National Park during most months of the year, it is best to avoid the rainy and snowy periods in the calendar. August is considered by many to be the perfect time to spend a day in Lamington National Park as the month enjoys the least amount of rain or chance of snowfall. The months of July and September are other alternatives to consider when planning a trip to this area as the dry season offers one the chance to truly immerse oneself in the landscape of the park.

As an expansive national park, it is quite impossible to discover the best highlights of Lamington during a single visit. This is why staying at Avani Broadbeach Residences or any other hotels in Gold Coast, Australia, is necessary. A rest close to the national park not only means that you can spend more than one day exploring its leafy, verdant confines but that you will not be wasting time travelling back and forth from the park, spending hours on the road instead of minutes.

Australia is home to a great many national parks and nature reserves but what sets the Lamington National Park apart is that its geological lineage is over 225 million years old. This means that the flora and fauna found in the park are descendants of an ancient ecosystem. Having earned itself a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of the finest Gondwana Rainforests Down Under, it's not just the centuries-old trees that will impress visitors. As an area that is remained largely unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs, the thick mountain forests, the gushing waterfalls and the hiking trails all offer a unique look at the past.

Hiking and trekking in the many trails that crisscross Lamington National Park is a must for first-time visitors. There are hiking trails that range from Class 1 to Class 5 in terms of difficulty while the total area covered by the walking trails is well over 160km. Those who are visiting the park for a brief stopover can take on the paved Centenary Track, which takes a mere half an hour to walk and connects the Green Mountains car park with the Morans Falls and Python Rock tracks. Photography enthusiasts will find O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk the perfect trail for amazing nature shots. The 4.6km track also offers stunning views of Morans Falls. Experienced hikers can take on the 10.9km Box Forest Circuit, while the Border Track, which is 21.4km just one way is another exciting trail that cuts across the Green Mountains and Binna Burra.

Don't forget to take note of the ancient hoop pines and other captivating plant life occupying the park. The hike up to the Araucaria Lookout also affords panoramic views of plants while birding fans will also spot a few winged beauties including whip birds and Albert's Lyrebirds during their time in the park.