O'Reilly's Guest House

O'Reilly's in Lamington National Park is like a "Green Crown," sitting as it does 3,000 feet (930 metres) above the Gold Coast.

And as you would expect, this crown has many jewels, one of which is the beloved and locally known as O'Reilly's.

It is home to a massive array of unique flora and fauna. Pademelons, gliders and possums, frogs and the amazing array of birdlife make O’Reilly’s a nature lover’s paradise.

O'Reilly's Guest House is historically associated with the National Park and sits on the only freehold land within this green oasis.

Located an hour and a half drive from the coast, you can start your drive from Broadbeach via the Nerang/Broadbeach Road ... it's the road that is beside the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

Follow the signs to Nerang (15 mins) ... from there to Canungra (20 mins) (O'Reilly's Plateau) ... then onwards to O'Reilly's Green Mountain. (50 mins)

No matter what the temperature is on the coast, it is generally 4-5 degrees cooler than Brisbane and the Coast. So I recommend that you bring layered clothing and boots or shoes suitable for rainforest walking.

I reckon you should also pack a jacket ... yes, even in Summer. (December to February) In Winter, late April to August, it is dry and cool with fantastic views and excellent conditions for those who stargaze.

September and October ... spring orchid season and February and March ... the waterfalls and streams are at their best.

Now remember, O'Reilly's is a Guest House and if you plan to stay, rather than have a day visit, you can choose one of the Toolona singler rooms or the unique Canopy Suites with 4 poster beds and every luxury your heart desires.

This has just got to be the most romantic place ever ... total privacy, when you need it, but the place attracts nature lovers from all over the world, so you get to eat together in the same dining room, go on the same bird walks and even share the big lounge ... it's a friendly place, with conversation flowing easily ... must be all that mountain air, wonderful wines and food to satisfy any apitite.

So what's your day like if you stay over ... for the 'larks' it's a cup of tea in the dining room first ... them off on a guided bird walk tour. Worked up an apitite?

Good, because after that it a hot buffet breakfast ... what now, I hear you say? Get those hiking boots on, you're off on a rainforest guided tour, while Dad and I are going on a 4WD tour.

"We'll meet back here for the 3 course lunch; after that we're putting out feet up, while you guys go for a ride on the Flying Fox."

You see what I mean, O'Reilly's if filled with things to do ... feel like a massage, before we head off for cocktails in the Rainforest Room? OK, after dinner, we're going on the Glow Worm tour.

O'Reilly's have created a unique 'misting' system for perfect larvae growth, so this fairyland of glow worms is available for you all year round.

Boy oh boy, what a day ... was that only "one day?"