The Wishing Tree

Starting from Lamington National Park Road, O’Reilly, this return walk takes you to a hollow tree of impressive height width, where people used to sit under and name their wishes. Located behind the O’Reilly Rainforest Retreat, this walk features a timber suspension bridge built by Peter O’Reilly and Peter Main(local engineer). The said bridge takes you through a gully of tree ferns in the dense rainforest. You'll have the option to take a detour and visit Mick's Tower along the way. Standing 18 metres above the ground, this metal tower has informative signposts about the flora at the top. Birdwatching can be fruitful from the tower and along the track, with the chance to different types of rosellas, whipbirds, catbirds and many more species. Don’t miss out on the land mullets(Australia's largest skink) and red-necked pademelons along the track as well. After you make it to the hollowed tree, turn left and head south to make it to the ‘Glowworm Gully’. This place is home to a magical light show at night as the glowworms light up the creekside area. Although, keep in mind that unguided access is not allowed after dusk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Booyong Walk & Lamington National Park Road (-28.2307361,153.1362062)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to then drive for 490 m Turn left onto Gilston Road and drive for another 1.7 km At roundabout, take exit 3 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 670 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 530 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 820 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McLaren Road and drive for another 185 m Continue onto McLaren Road and drive for another 370 m Keep right onto Beaudesert - Nerang Road, 90, 8 and drive for another 175 m Continue onto Nerang - Murwillumbah Road, 97 and drive for another 1.2 km Turn right onto Clagiraba Road and drive for another 5.7 km Turn left onto Beaudesert - Nerang Road, 90, 8 and drive for another 10.7 km Turn left onto Kidston Street and drive for another 36.1 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the end of Lamington National Park Road(near O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat), head towards the white fence next to the public telephone along the concrete path. Pass through the gap in the said fence and join the dirt track towards the buildings, moving directly away from the road. Follow the track and pass between the buildings to come to an open grass area to your left. Take a 90 degree left turn here and head into the woodland and follow the formed track to continue along The Wishing Tree Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Booyong Walk & Lamington National Park Road Start (a service road). There is a toilet (about 85 m back from the start).
	After another 225 m turn left.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to Mick's Tower. Standing 18 metres above the ground, this metal structure has informative signposts about the flora at the top. Full ladder climb, 5 platforms. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 285 m continue straight. After another 430 m come to "The Wishing Tree". The Wishing Tree
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 860 m to get back to the start.

This side trip takes you to Mick's Tower. Standing 18 metres above the ground, this metal structure has informative signposts about the flora at the top. Full ladder climb, 5 platforms.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Mick's tower. After another 110 m come to "Micks Tower". Micks Tower
	Continue another 0 m to find Mick's tower at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 110 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Wishing Tree

Grading

	Class 2/6 Easy track
Length	1.7 km
Time	40 min to 1 h 15 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one -86 m back from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-86 m	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Murwillumbah Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  30°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, possibly severe with damaging winds and large hail. Winds northerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening. Daytime maximum temperatures around 30.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Far North Coast: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 4:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
  
  Friday 1 November
  
  18°C → 28°C
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 17 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s.
  
  Saturday 2 November
  
  17°C → 25°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 17 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid 20s.
  
  Sunday 3 November
  
  17°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to around 17 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
  
  Monday 4 November
  
  19°C → 31°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  19°C → 31°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Wednesday 6 November
  
  18°C → 29°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts

Weather Forecast

Alerts