Historic lodge destroyed in blaze reopens after seven-year rebuild

Perched high in the Gold Coast hinterland, surrounded by ancient rainforest, Binna Burra Lodge has captivated generations of visitors.

But in September 2019, that all came crashing down when devastating bushfires ripped through Lamington National Park.

The blaze devoured 6,000 hectares of rainforest, reducing the heritage-listed site, as well as 11 homes, to ashes.

Before: The lodge before the fire. . After: The lodge after the fire. .

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But after enduring years of setbacks, including a pandemic and a cyclone, the treasured landmark has finally reopened to overnight guests.

"Recovery from disaster is not a short term process," Binna Burra Lodge chairman Noakes said.

"In our case, it's been seven years, and it's just fantastic today to be welcoming people back to Binna Burra Lodge.

"Binna Burra's a place of a lot of intergenerational connection for the last almost 100 years and we hope that with this new lodge there'll be a whole lot of new generational connections."

Lodge fills generations with 'awe'

Binna Burra Lodge was founded by conservationists Arthur Groom and Romeo Lahey in the 1930s.

The two men wanted to create a place where people could soak up the region's lush natural beauty, while being inspired to protect the rainforests into the future.

"Over generations, lots and lots of people from around Australia and around the world have had the opportunity to experience the location," Mr Noakes said.

"All of them have been filled with awe."

But on September 8, 2019, a blaze tore through the area, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Evacuated three days before, Mr Noakes still remembers the moment he discovered the lodge was gone.

"[An] ABC report was the first time we had confirmation the lodge had been destroyed," he said.

Before: The lodge dinner bell before the fire. . After: The lodge dinner bell after the fire. .

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Report casts doubt over cause of blaze

Police initially reported the blaze may have been sparked by a discarded cigarette.

But an internal Queensland Fire and Emergency Services report, obtained by the ABC, found the fire was more likely started at a mystery shooting range in bushland.

The report also contained evidence claiming that, during the fire, firefighters left one containment point, logging it as being "under control" when it was not.

The blaze then raged out of control, consuming the lodge and surrounding homes.

Mr Noakes said while the reopening had been "a long time coming", there was "never a question" the lodge would be rebuilt.

"I wasn't sure how we were going to do it," he said.

"It's taken seven years, but we're across the finish line."

New building specially designed

Mr Noakes said the new facility was designed with concrete structures wrapped in timber facades to ensure better protection against future disasters.

"It's very different from the old lodge which was beautiful old heritage timber, but of course when bushfire comes through it just all gets sizzled up," he said. 

"If the worst thing ever happened and a fire did finally get through, the basic infrastructure would still be there to enable repair."

Gold Coast architect and bushfire-mitigation expert Eldon Bottcher said while building design was crucial, it was only one piece of the puzzle to prevent future disasters.

"We've got to look at how we manage our vegetation around the building," he said.

"We need to make sure we can get firefighters in around the place and we need to make sure we've got a dedicated water supply for those firefighters.