O’Reilly’s Great Guided Walks
Explore the true spirit of O’Reilly’s with a Guided Walk to visit breathtaking lookouts, iconic tracks and historical sites. Ticket also includes a delicious packed lunch.
Cost just $75 per person – includes a packed lunch.
O’Reilly’s will host a series of monthly guided walks throughout the year which will all have varying degrees of difficulty and different terrain:
* Stinson Memorial Hike – $520 Package Deal and separate booking is required – See Stinson Walk on our ‘Events’ Page.
Stairway Falls: Saturday, 11th May
O’Reilly’s welcomes you to join us for a full day adventure to the amazing Stairway Falls on Saturday, 11th May.
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate – Advanced, depending on creek levels. If creek levels are low, this isn’t such a hard hike as we can simply rock hop down the creek with ease but still be prepared to get wet feet. If creek levels are high, it will make it harder but this time of year it should be a piece of cake.
The old graded track is evident in places, but overgrown at times and it can be a battle keeping to the trail amongst the tree falls, lantana and Gympie-Gympie (stinging tree).
Our route will include sections of the old track plus a bit of rock hopping, so a sense of adventure is a must to bring along on this hike!
DURATION/DISTANCE
The duration of this hike will be highly dependent on creek levels. With low creek levels, it will take about 6 hours for competent hikers with good rock-hopping skills. The 6 hours includes rest breaks to enjoy the Blue Pool and Stairway Falls.
The hardest part of this hike is the return journey up Bull Ant Spur. This off track adventure is 11km return, and we can allow between 6 and 8 hours to do it comfortably.
SEEKING OUT STAIRWAY FALLS
A graded track once led to this unique destination, but it was taken out of commission and left to the forest some years before. Today, the access route to Stairway Falls is a bush-bashing, Gympie-Gym-pie-avoiding, rock-hopping adventure along the west branch of Canungra Creek.
BULL ANT SPUR TO YERRAHLAHLA POOL
This hike starts from the top of Bull Ant Spur. The way down the spur starts in rainforest by Lamington National Park Road, before descending into drier forest via a rough leaf strewn footpath that is marked with pink ribbons.
The steep descent passes beautiful trees and massive vines where we are treated to the sounds of local birds. Due to thick leaf litter, the descent down can be slippery, so good hiking shoes are essential. You’ll be grabbing onto passing tree trunks and branches to slow your descent as you head down to the creek so bring some good gloves along for this one.
After about 45 minutes, the spur intersects with the end of the West Canungra Creek Circuit. We then follow the graded track down and enjoy the early morning light playing on the Yerrahlahla (Blue) Pool where the track ends.
AVOID THE GYMPIE-GYMPIE IF YOU CAN!
After a rest to enjoy the blue and golden highlights on the waterhole and nearby cascades, it is across the creek to start bush bashing. The old track is easy to find at first, but becomes increasingly covered by tree-falls, small landslips and a mess of vines, weeds and Gympie-Gympie.
With low creek levels at the moment, the opportunity to rock-hop down the creek is way more fun than avoiding Gympie-Gympie, but at times seeking out the old track will become essential. Along the way, we will enjoy crystal clear pools, dense moody forests, beautiful cascades, caves and unique basalt columns similar to those found at the world-renowned “Giants Staircase”.
WELCOME TO STAIRWAY FALLS
As we approach Stairway Falls, the old graded track is rediscovered and leads us to a beautiful basalt column lined waterhole and the falls. This hidden gem is unique because of these exposed basalt lava columns which are an uncommon sight in the natural world. Lamington National Park was formed by basalt lava flows from the now extinct Mt Warning around 25 million years ago! These basalt columns create handy natural steps leading down to the waterhole above the waterfall.
From the top of the falls we follow the old graded track down and after a short distance we find a rugged way down to the base of the falls. Then we enjoy some time exploring the area around the creek and take a dip, if you’re brave enough to tackle the cold water. We return the way we came, with a steep climb up to the top of Bull Ant Spur to finish our adventure.
Bookings are $75 per person and include a packed lunch. We will depart the Discovery Centre at 8am.
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* To Book call Reservations on 5502 4911, see Reception at O’Reilly’s or book online using the link on this page. The Albert River Circuit is 21km so an intermediate fitness level is recommended. Bookings are $75 per person – Packed lunches are included. Hiking boots, appropriate clothes and at least 1 litre of water is required (fresh spring water is available on the circuit). Our guides can provide a list of recommended items to bring to ensure you are well prepared for the guided walk. For more information please email [email protected]. Walk is suitable for 12 years old and over. ** T&Cs – 50% fee applies for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice. Minimum number of 5 participants for walk to proceed. Prepayment required for guests not staying in house.