ABOUT

Beechmont is located 26 kilometres west of Nerang and just north of Binna Burra, one of the gateways to the World Heritage listed rainforests of Lamington National Park. The park includes the largest sub-tropical rainforest remnant in the world along with one of the most extensive Antarctic Beech (Nothofagus moorei) cool temperate rainforests in Australia.

Beechmont is part of the same elevated system of plateaus as Lamington National Park. The area is around 600 metres above sea level with fertile, red volcanic soils and a mild, moist climate. The plateau itself covers an area of approximately 5,200 hectares. It was originally called “The Beech Mountain” because of the prolific numbers of white beech trees (Gmelina leichhardtii) growing on the plateau.

The Beechmont plateau was cleared in the early 1900’s to make way for dairying. Prior to clearing the plateau consisted predominantly of subtropical rainforest. There were also areas of wet sclerophyll forest around the margins and where fires frequented. The remnant areas of rainforest on the Beechmont plateau typically consist of large-leaved trees (notophyll) and many vines. The wet sclerophyll forests were dominated by eucalypts. The ridges and escarpments surrounding the Beechmont plateau are mostly undisturbed with a mixture of forest types.

Beechmont is in a state of transition. With the deregulation of the dairy industry, many of the relatively small scale dairy farmers on the Beechmont plateau are looking for other income opportunities. Many of the dairy farms have been subdivided over the years and the population has grown. The area is attractive because of its outstanding natural scenery and its close proximity to the Gold Coast.

The Beechmont District Landcare Association (BDLA) held its inaugural meeting in 1992. Since that time the BDLA has undertaken many projects to improve the environment of the plateau.