O'Reilly, Queensland

O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat
View from accommodation, 2011
General information
Opening	1912
Owner	O'Reilly Family
Website
http://www.oreillys.com.au/

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 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. It is well known for its rainforest location, unique and diverse wildlife, and for being the home of the late Bernard O'Reilly, an Australian bushman and author, who is remembered for his efforts in locating the survivors of the 1937 Stinson plane crash.

In 1912, eight men of the O'Reilly family each started farming in the McPherson Range. 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. The initial accommodation was very basic and in the early years access was only via horse and wagon along a precipitous mountain track.

Bird feeding is encouraged with seed available for sale to visitors. Bush walking is another popular activity in the area.

The forests of Lamington National Park provide excellent habitat for a range of birds. Some species have become unconcerned by close interaction with people at O'Reilly's, including the regent bowerbird, Australian king parrot and crimson rosellas.Wonga pigeons and the Australian brush turkey are also common.