The mountain lodge was founded in 1933. From the outset the company aimed to make ecotourism and environmental protection a significant objective under the guidance of one of its founders Romeo Lahey. Binna Burra remained apart from the nearby national park as the properties around were bought by the Queensland Government on an irregular basis, to extend the size of the park. In 2012, facilities were expanded with the construction of 20 modern new apartments to add to the log cabins already accommodating visitors. In September 2019, the facilities of the lodge, including the original accommodation buildings, reception lounge and dining room were tragically lost in the QLD bushfires. The Binna Burra campsite, Teahouse café and the Sky Lodge apartments remain undamaged from the bushfire and the rebuild of the site has already begun.
Forests
The forests in the area are part of the World Heritage site, Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. The name, Binna Burra, is an Aboriginal word meaning "where the beech tree grows," referring to a stand of Antarctic Beech growing in the nearby rainforest, as shown in the adjacent image. The vegetation ranges from subtropical and temperate rainforest to dry eucalypt and open heath. Binna Burra features a visitors centre, cafe, a guesthouse, campsites, safari tents, powered sites, picnic grounds, an "Environmental Education Centre", and conference facilities. The clearing at Binna Burra affords extensive views to the north.
Access
Binna Burra Lodge is by road south from Beechmont, by road south from Canungra, by road south-west from Southport, and south of Brisbane. Access to Binna Burra is from Beechmont, via a mountainous road not suitable for large caravans. In 2001, 108,551 vehicles were recorded by counters as entering Binna Burra. More recently this figure has increased to around 250,000 visitors per year.
Bushwalking
Extending away from the clearing a number of short and long walks, many of which were designed and built by Romeo Lahey during the Great Depression. All of Lahey's track's have a gradient not greater than 10%. Lahey had noticed that the local dairy cows never seemed out of breath. After surveying the animals paths he concluded a ratio of 1:10 for a gradient was best. These graded walking tracks lead to the upper Coomera River and numerous smaller creeks, Coomera Gorge, Coomera Falls amongst many other waterfalls. To the east is the Ship Stern Range and Dave's Creek circuit and the all-day hike along the Coomera Track.
Binna Burra was featured on the third season of The Mole. An assignment involved the contestants having to travel up to Binna Burra, whilst on the way answering questions that would help them in succeeding in the assignment.
