The two Alcheringa houses are adjacent to famous Binna Burra Lodge, Lamington National. Park, Southeast Queensland. Lamington is one of Queensland’s oldest and most loved National Parks. 147km of walking tracks lead through upland subtropical rainforest, heath country, eucalypt forests and ancient Antarctic beech groves to 500 waterfalls, mountain lookouts and wind eroded caves. The Alcheringa houses are a short walk from the four main track entrances.

History:  The original Alcheringa was built in the early seventies by Donn Groom, one of the sons of Arthur Groom, co-founder of Binna Burra Lodge.

The house was designed by Brisbane architect Robin Spencer, using some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles, such as an organic appearance, natural materials, an unobtrusive front entrance opening to a grand space. Donn built the 6 massive rock walls without cranes or heavy machinery. Then he employed carpenters to complete the building around the rock walls.

The original house and granny flat were destroyed in the first of the climate change bushfires that swept down the east of Australia in late 2019. The six rock walls remained proudly standing but 700 degree heat had compromised the rock and concrete and tragically they had to be knocked down. Robin Spencer was thrilled to be asked to design the replacement houses, which he did with his son Fraser. The two new houses were finished in August 2022.

A week at Alcheringa.

A week is not nearly long enough to explore Lamington National Park and the Scenic Rim.  In fact, a lifetime is not long enough – however, like 80% of our guests, you can always come back next year.

You need at least three days to hike the best tracks in Lamington – Coomera Falls is the best waterfall walk (12 or 17km), Daves Creek (12km)  is the best walk for vegetation while Upper or Lower Ballanjui Falls  offer a range of  delights.  You can leave other walks such as Shipstern, (20km and the best overall hike),  Gwongoorool Pool, The Caves, the Border Lookouts or Illinbah for another visit.   Using the weekend bus service you could take the classic 23km hike from O’Reilly’s Green Mountains back to Binna Burra – route of one of the oldest cross country runs in Australia.) You could devote three days to some of the Scenic Rim’s top destinations – Springbrook, Mt Tamborine and O’Reillys Green Mountains. Another day could be spent on a road trip through the centre of the Scenic Rim That leaves just one day for relaxing in the house – maybe taking the self-guiding walk through the Australian native garden with the accent on indigenous use

If you have only the weekend available – that’s too bad but you can still have a relaxing break in the mountains.

Taste your own meals from the spacious kitchen which is equipped with every cooking utensil and equipment you could need.

Or dine nearby at the  Binna Burra Teahouse or Groom’s Cottage both near the entrance to Lamington National Park – a 400m.  walk or drive from the house.  For a special occasion, another dining option is Beechmont Estate, 4km down the road on Beechmont.

Take a picnic lunch to a mountain lookout or waterfall.