O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat is a tourist destination in Queensland, Australia, situated in the heart of the Lamington National Park, two hours by road south of Brisbane and 90 minutes by road west of the Gold Coast. It is located in the Scenic Rim Region Local Government Area and and is part of the Gold Coast hinterland. Access to the mountain resort is via Canungra.
O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat consists of accommodation villas, picnic grounds and marks the starting point of a number of popular hiking trails.[1] It is well known for its idyllic rainforest location, unique and diverse wildlife, and for being the home of the late Bernard O'Reilly, an Australian bushman and author, who is rewmembered for his efforts in locating the survivors of the 1937 Stinson plane crash.[2]
Bird feeding is encouraged with seed available for sale to visitors. Bush walking is another popular activity in the area.
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In 1912, eight men of the O'Reilly family each started farming in the McPherson Range.[3] They milked cattle and collected timber but the income was too little. In 1915 Lamington National Park was established around their land. O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat was founded in 1926 by the O'Reilly brothers.[4] The initial accommodation was very basic and in the early years access was only via horse and wagon along a precipitous mountain track.[3][5]
O'Reilly's is situated approximately 8.4 kilometres from the site of the 1937 Stinson plane crash.[2] As a result, the site of the wreck has become a popular hiking destination with bushwalkers. O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat infrequently organises guided treks to the wreck, but experienced bushwalkers are known to frequently attempt the hike. The hike is renowned for its difficulty due to the steep nature of the McPherson Range where the wreck is situated, and the thick, dense terrain of the rainforest.[6] A memorial to Bernard O'Reilly is located in the grounds around the guesthouse.[3]
In the late 1980's, the Australian Army removed large portions of the wreck using a helicopter. As a result, only a small, skeletal section of the plane's hull remains.
In 1987, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat opened the Tree Top Walk, a 180 metre long suspension bridge situated 20 metres above the rainforest floor.[7] The Tree Top Walk provides a bird-eye view of the rainforest canopy and sweeping views of the McPherson Range. It was the first of its kind in Australia. [8]