Forest Weekend
EL NIÑO & THE LAMINGTON RAINFOREST
30 October – 1 November 2026
Go beyond the walking track and discover the forest through the eyes of those who know it best.
O’Reilly’s invites you into the extraordinary landscapes of Lamington National Park for a weekend of guided walks, field observation and expert insight.
Led by Dr Bill McDonald, Honorary Research Associate at the Queensland Herbarium, and joined by zoologist and special guest speaker Melanie Venz, the weekend offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the plants, wildlife and habitats that make this ancient rainforest so remarkable. Bill brings a lifelong knowledge of rainforest floristics and ecology, while Melanie draws on almost 30 years as a zoologist and her long-term research and monitoring work on Lamington’s threatened reptiles.
Across the weekend, explore the cool subtropical rainforest from Wishing Tree Trail to Moran’s Creek, take in views across the upper Albert River and McPherson Range from Moonlight Crag, return via Moran’s Falls, and travel along Duck Creek Road to Kurrajong Lookout, where rainforest gives way to eucalypt open forest and views extend towards the Border Ranges, Mt Lindesay and Mt Barney. Guests will also join Bill for an introduction to identifying rainforest trees, shrubs and climbers.
On Saturday evening, Melanie presents Hidden Lives of Lamington’s Lizards, taking guests beneath the leaf litter to discover some of the park’s rarely seen skinks. Using time-lapse footage and camera-trap imagery, Melanie will share what researchers are learning about species including the elusive three-toed snake-tooth skink and Tryon’s skink, and how modern field techniques are helping researchers better understand Lamington’s hidden reptile life.
Come curious. Leave seeing the rainforest differently.
Perfect for anyone with an interest in botany, rainforest ecology, conservation and natural history, Forest Weekend flows directly into the 49th Annual O’Reilly’s Bird Week for those wanting to extend their stay.
When
30 October – 1 November 2026
Cost
$275 per person, including the full Forest Weekend program, all activities and three meals. Accommodation is additional and must be booked separately.
