SEVEN years after bushfires tore through Binna Burra’s historic lodge and cabins, the mountain retreat is preparing to welcome its first overnight guests into a rebuilt lodge.
It will mark a long-awaited milestone in a recovery repeatedly tested by disaster.
Bookings have opened ahead of the first arrivals on November 13, reconnecting generations of visitors with a destination whose rainforest walks, mountain views and enduring connection to nature have drawn guests to the Scenic Rim since 1933.
For those who knew the original lodge, its loss in September 2019 left more than a gap in the accommodation offering.
It took away a place woven into family holidays, walking adventures and friendships built over return visits to the mountains.
Binna Burra Lodge board chair Steve Noakes said the approaching opening represented a significant moment for the destination and the people who had supported its recovery.
“This marks a major milestone in Binna Burra’s remarkable journey of recovery, resilience and renewal,” Mr Noakes said.
The road back has been anything but straightforward.
Following the destruction of the heritage-listed lodge and accommodation in 2019, Binna Burra faced Covid-19 shutdowns between 2020 and 2022, damage from the 2023 Gold Coast hinterland tornado and another substantial setback when Cyclone Alfred struck in early 2025.
The company said the cyclone pushed its accommodation supply back five years, with almost a year needed to restore capacity to pre-cyclone levels.
The replacement lodge and accommodation have received support through the Queensland Government’s Regional Tourism Recovery Program, alongside contributions from foundations, shareholders and the wider Binna Burra community.
Bookings are available at binnaburralodge.com.au/book-online or by calling 07 5533 3622.
