Our Location

The Lost World Valley

3268 Kerry Road Darlington

The name, “The Lost World” was first used by Bernard O’Reilly to describe the plateau atop Razorback, the mountain which bisects the head-waters of the Albert River. O’Reilly, a pioneer settler of the district, is famously remembered for his discovery of the missing wreck of the Stinson aircraft, which crashed into the border ranges in 1937. He borrowed the name from the 1912 novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which is the story of an expedition to a plateau in the Amazon, where prehistoric creatures survive. The Lost World plateau on Razorback has a similarly ancient feel. Over the years, the name came to include an area of the valley floor, and was gradually extended to encompass pastoral land, foothills, steep inclines, ridges and mountain tops.

The Lost World Valley is, today, a small country enclave, famous for its historical pastoral landscape and unspoilt natural beauty of Lamington National Park. This part of the world is especially beautiful. The valley straddles a portion of the upper reaches of the Albert River, and follows the river south before merging with the rich pastoral district of Kerry. The southern borders of the Lost World Valley end gently, in the foothills of the Border Ranges and Lamington National Park. As a precinct, the area has been spared intrusive or unsympathetic development. For many years, the extraordinary wilderness aspect of the region has attracted large numbers of visitors, both local and from overseas. Many continue to visit us and enjoy the hospitality of local tourist business operators who offer environmentally sensitive but sophisticated rural experiences.

Getting There

Garden Hill is about 90 minutes travelling time south of Brisbane and a similar journey west from the Gold Coast. From the traffic lights in the centre of Beaudesert, travel south past the Golf Club. You will eventually pass Darlington Park and reach Darlington Primary School. Cross the Albert River four times after the Primary School and watch for signs on the right.