Fire-hit icon Binna Burra Lodge to reopen as tourism stages fightback

Despite being destroyed by a bushfire just three weeks ago, historic Binna Burra Lodge has revealed ambitious plans to reopen within months, and it’s great news for Queensland families who love the great outdoors.

BUSHFIRE-ravaged Binna Burra Lodge has revealed bold plans to re-open before Christmas as other tourism businesses affected by this month’s devastating disaster mount a school holiday fightback.

The historic and iconic Gold Coast hinterland lodge was destroyed in the bushfire that swept through the Scenic Rim three weeks ago.

The ferocious blaze razed the heritage-listed Lamington National Park building that had stood since the 1930s and left almost 60 staff out of work.

An aerial shot showing the destruction of Binna Burra Lodge. Photo Supplied ABC

But Binna Burra Lodge chairman Steve Noakes, who fought back tears amid the devastation, has unveiled plans to partially re-open the property in early December.

While most of the lodge’s historic cabins were destroyed - along with the reception, central dining area, library and kitchen - the Tea House building escaped the flames and Mr Noakes said it and the campground would be re-opened.

“There’s a lot of work to be done with cleaning and sorting out the road access but we’re targeting early December,” he said.

Binna Burra Lodge's Steve Noakes surveys the ruins of part of the lodge. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A crowd-funding campaign has raised close to $90,000 towards rebuilding the much-loved lodge but Mr Noakes said this could take about two years.

He said Binna Burra was looking at also reopening the more modern Sky Lodges which were not as badly damaged, as well as bringing in mobile homes until the cabins can be rebuilt.

Meanwhile, Binna Burra was steering hundreds of bookings made before the bushfire to other tourism properties in the Scenic Rim.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Resort boss Shane O’Reilly said operators were trying to get the message out that the region was open for business.

The remains of Binna Burra Lodge after the bushfire. Picture: Nigel Hallett

O’Reilly’s was evacuated for a day at the height of the fires. Despite not suffering any damage, Mr O’Reilly said bookings had taken a huge hit but visitors were slowly returning.

“We’re in the middle of the biggest subtropical rainforest in Australia and the fire affected just a tiny little patch of the Scenic Rim,” he said.

Destination Gold Coast has unveiled a $1 million campaign to help get the fire-ravaged hinterland back on its feet.

“Tourism is vital to the hinterland, and the greatest contribution we can make is to encourage visitation to one of our most beautiful natural assets, in the coming days, weeks and beyond,” Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said.