About Springbrook

Getting there and getting around

Looking towards the Gold Coast. Photo: R. Ashdown, NPRSR.

Springbrook National Park is located about 100 km south of Brisbane and comprises four sections on and around the plateau; Springbrook section, which extends along the crest of the plateau, Mount Cougal section to the east and Natural Bridge and Numinbah sections to the west.

Springbrook section

From the Pacific Motorway, Springbrook plateau is 24 km from Mudgeeraba or 36 km from Nerang. Exit the Pacific Motorway at Mudgeeraba (exit 79 from the north, exit 80 from the south) and follow the Gold Coast–Springbrook Road. Alternatively, exit the Pacific Motorway at Nerang (exit 69) and follow the Nerang–Murwillumbah Road for 23 km then take the Springbrook turn-off at Pine Creek Road. Both bitumen roads are steep and narrow.

Note: There is no through-road access to New South Wales from the Springbrook plateau.

Natural Bridge section

Exit the Pacific Motorway at Nerang (exit 69) and follow the Nerang–Murwillumbah Road for 38 km. Turn left into the park entrance. An alternative scenic route is 42 km via the Springbrook plateau from Mudgeeraba. From the Pacific Motorway take exit 80 from the south or exit 79 from the north and follow the Gold Coast–Springbrook Road to the plateau then turn right onto Pine Creek Road. Follow Pine Creek Road to the end and then turn left onto the Nerang–Murwillumbah Road. Natural Bridge can also be reached from Murwillumbah by following the Numinbah Road for 28 km. The scenic access roads are winding and should be travelled with care.

Important! Cave Creek in the Natural Bridge section has been declared a restricted access area. Swimming in the creek and access to the creek bank is now prohibited. Penalties apply!

Mount Cougal section

Exit the Gold Coast Highway (exit 93) at Currumbin and follow the Currumbin Valley Road 21 km to its end.

Numinbah section

Numinbah is 13 km north of Natural Bridge section on Nerang–Murwillumbah Road. Leave the Pacific Motorway at Nerang (exit 69) and follow the Nerang–Murwillumbah Road for 25 km. From the other direction on this route, this part of the park is 42 km north-west of Murwillumbah. An alternative scenic route is 28 km via the Springbrook plateau from Mudgeeraba. From the Pacific Motorway take exit 79 from the north or exit 80 from the south and follow the Gold Coast–Springbrook Road to the plateau. Turn right onto Pine Creek Road, follow it to the end and then turn left onto the Nerang–Murwillumbah Road. These scenic access roads are winding and should be travelled with care.

Wheelchair accessibility

Wheelchair assisted access is possible at Mount Cougal section along the 800 m bitumen Cascades walking track. On Springbrook plateau, Canyon lookout and the information centre lookout and boardwalk are suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.

Park features

Springbrook's spectacular landscape is punctuated with breath-taking waterfalls, such as Twin Falls. Photo: NPRSR.

Dominating the Gold Coast's western skyline, Springbrook's cool forests and mountain streams offer views of impressive landscapes, and walks among subtropical and temperate rainforest, open eucalypt forest and montane heath.

Spectacular waterfalls, cascades and tumbling creeks are dominant features in this World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia park.

Springbrook National Park covers 6725 ha and is in four main sections—Springbrook plateau, Mount Cougal to the east and Natural Bridge and Numinbah to the west. The plateau has many lookouts with fabulous views while Mount Cougal offers an insight into the area's logging history.

Visit Natural Bridge by day to see a unique waterfall or after dark to discover the park's amazing glow-worms or picnic on the shaded banks of the Nerang River at Forest Park picnic area.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of Springbrook National Park.

Camping and accommodation

Be a minimal impact camper; leave no trace. Photo: A Creed, NPRSR.

Camping

Camping is available at The Settlement camping area on Springbrook plateau. To camp in the national park a permit is required and bookings must be made in advance. Fees apply.

Find out more about The Settlement camping area
Read things to know before you go for information about essentials to bring with you when camping in Springbrook National Park.

Camping is not available in the Numinbah section of the park and is no longer permitted at Gwongorella, near Purling Brook Falls.

Other accommodation

There are several privately run campgrounds, guesthouse, lodges and bed and breakfasts within a short distance of Springbrook National Park. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Things to do

At any time of the year expect a cooler and often wetter conditions, so bring warm clothes and a raincoat! Photo: Adam Creed, EHP.

Take in the breath-taking views of Mount Warning from Best of All lookout. Photo: Dan Garnett, NPRSR.

Springbrook National Park offers many opportunities for the visitor to explore and enjoy the natural surrounds:

Walking tracks
Guided tours and walks
Picnic and day-use areas
Viewing wildlife
Horseriding

Walking tracks

Springbrook National Park offers a wide range of walking opportunities ranging from 300 m to 54 km in length.

The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk can either start or finish at The Settlement camping area. If you are interested in undertaking this 54 km walk, please read the walk's details so you can better plan your Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

Springbrook National Park's walking tracks have been classified so you can select a walk that matches your bushwalking experience and fitness. This classification system is based on the Australian Standards. Take time to read the key to track standards before walking in the park.

Allow 15 to 20 min to walk 1 km. This time is calculated for people of average fitness and bushwalking experience and who are wearing correct footwear. If you are walking with young children or are an inexperienced bushwalker, allow more time to include rests and to return to your starting point.

Distances given are from the track entrance and return. Apart from the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, Numinbah section has no marked walking tracks.

Springbrook National Park walking tracks:

At a glance
Springbrook plateau
Natural Bridge section
Mount Cougal section

'Boogul yahnbelehla!' Have a good walk! ( Yugambeh)

Key to track standards

The classification system is based on Australian Standards. Please note that while each track is classified according to its most difficult section, other sections may be of an easier level.

Class 1 track (Australian Standards)

Wheelchair-accessible track with handrails at lookout.

Class 2 track (Australian Standards)

Easy level track, suitable for all fitness levels.
All junctions signposted and may include interpretive signs.

Class 3 track (Australian Standards)

Distinct tracks with junctions signposted. Rough track surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks.
Variable in width. Muddy sections, steep grades and steps may be encountered.
May be partially overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls may be present.
Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
Reasonable level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear recommended.

Class 4 track (Australian Standards)

Distinct tracks with junctions signposted. Rough track surfaces with exposed roots and rocks.
Variable in width. Muddy sections and steep grades likely to be encountered.
May be extensively overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rock falls likely to be present.
Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
Moderate fitness level with bushwalking experience and ankle-supporting footwear recommended.

Walking tracks at a glance

Matching experience and expectations—to make your planning easier, simply match your expectations and experience with the most suitable track or trail.

Track name	Classification	Distance return	Platform lookout	Natural lookout
Tracks accessed from Springbrook plateau, Springbrook National Park:
Wunburra lookout	Class 2	30 m	Yes	-
Canyon lookout	Class 1	30 m	Yes	-
Goomoolahra Falls lookout track	Class 2	200 m	Yes	-
Best of All lookout track	Class 2	600 m	Yes	-
Purling Brook Falls circuit	Class 3	4 km	Yes	-
Twin Falls circuit	Class 3	4 km	Yes	-
Warrie circuit	Class 4	17 km	Yes	Yes
Tracks accessed from Natural Bridge section, Springbrook National Park:
Natural Bridge circuit	Class 2	1 km	Yes	-
Tracks accessed from Mount Cougal section, Springbrook National Park:
Cascades track	Class 2	1.6 km	Yes	-

Walking tracks on Springbrook plateau

Springbrook National Park walking track maps (PDF, 158K)* (see insets A and C for the Springbrook plateau)

Several vantage points on the plateau provide extensive views of the surrounding ranges, foothills and the coastline. Constructed lookouts, providing safe viewing, are easily accessible via a short walk. Be aware that these lookouts are often shrouded by cloud, even when the weather is fine and sunny on the coast. For the best views, visit on clear, smoke-free days.

Before setting out, visit the national park information centre display that is open between 8.00 am and 3.30 pm daily on weekdays. Please note that this centre is not staffed and if you need to contact a ranger please see contact details. Originally Springbrook's first schoolhouse, this quaint 1911 building is once again involved in education. The centre features wildlife and historical displays. Visit the plateau's montane heathland boardwalk and lookout 100 m from the centre's car park. Public toilets are located beside the information centre.

Wunburra lookout (Class 2)

Distance: 30 m return

Time: Allow about 5 mins

Details: Just off the Gold Coast–Springbrook Road, Wunburra lookout has views of Purling Brook valley, Mount Cougal and the Little Nerang Dam. The car park is small and can be crowded on weekends or public holidays. Take care with children; keep behind the bollards as there is a busy road close by. Views from this lookout highlight the geological processes of erosion.

Canyon lookout (Class 1)

Distance: 30 m return

Time: Allow about 5 mins

Details: Step out of your vehicle and you're there! Take in the superb views of Twin and Rainbow falls, the sheer walls of The Canyon and the ocean beyond. The spectacular views from Canyon lookout are a result of millions of years of erosion, landslides and weathering. These geological processes will continue to shape the landscape before you. This location is the starting point for the Twin Falls and Warrie circuits.

Goomoolahra Falls lookout track (Class 2)

Distance: 200 m return

Time: Allow about 5 mins

Details: This wheelchair-assisted track passes through the Goomoolahra picnic area and takes walkers to several lookouts at the top of the 60 m high Goomoolahra Falls. On a clear day the north facing views stretch to Stradbroke and Moreton islands and Moreton Bay.

Best of All lookout track (Class 2)

Distance: 600 m return

Time: Allow about 30 mins walking time

Details: Walk through ancient Antarctic beech forest; a remnant link to a past cooler climate, to a view of northern New South Wales dominated by Mount Warning, which is the lava plug centre of the erosion caldera of the extinct Tweed shield volcano. The small pocket of Antarctic beech forest Nothofagus moorei is one of our remaining links with the ancient forests of Gondwana. Nothofagus forests were once widespread across the continent and provided a habitat for many animals that have long since disappeared from our landscape.

Purling Brook Falls circuit (Class 3)

DANGER: Sheer cliffs and waterfalls. One slip could be fatal—serious injury or death may result from walking near the edge. Keep to the track. Supervise children closely.

Distance: 4 km return

Time: Allow about 2 hrs walking time. Note: it is easier to walk the track in a clockwise direction. If including the Warringa Pool track, which leads downstream from the base of the falls, add another 2 km and allow another 40 mins to return.

Caution: Sections of the Purling Brook Falls circuit and Warringa Pool track are part of Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk: arrow markers indicate the walk. This is an arduous walk. Please do not attempt it unless you are a Great Walker and have a copy of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk topographic map.

Details: Pass through open eucalypt forest of New England ash Eucalyptus campanulata, where fire-adapted species such as lepidozamias, hakeas and various wildflowers grow, before descending into the gorge to view the falls from below. A steady climb through forest brings the walker back to the picnic area. Water flowing over Purling Brook Falls is high quality because its catchment is protected in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Walking in this area is a privilege. Be responsible for keeping the catchment clean—practice minimal impact bushwalking.

Twin Falls circuit (Class 3)

DANGER: Sheer cliffs and waterfalls. One slip could be fatal—serious injury or death may result from walking near the edge. Keep to the track. Supervise children closely.

Distance: 4 km return

Time: Allow about 2 hrs walking time

Details: Start this walk from Tallanbana picnic area or Canyon lookout. Follow the track in an anti-clockwise direction to take advantage of the interpretive signs, which guide the walker through different forest types. Pass behind two waterfalls, through rock clefts and among palms and treeferns. Notice the smooth, pink bark of the brush box Lophostemon confertus that occur along the track. Similar brush box in other parts of this World Heritage area have been radiocarbon-dated at 1500 years, making these trees the oldest ever carbon-dated on Australia's mainland.

Warrie circuit (Class 4)

DANGER: Sheer cliffs and waterfalls. One slip could be fatal—serious injury or death may result from walking near the edge. Keep to the track. Supervise children closely.

Distance: 17 km return

Time: Allow about 5 to 6 hrs walking time

Caution: Creek crossings may be impassable after heavy rain. Allow enough time to finish the walk in daylight hours.

Details: Start at Canyon lookout or Tallanbana picnic area. The longest and most interesting track on the plateau follows the base of The Canyon cliffs to Goomoolahra Falls before descending into the mossy green depths of the rainforest. The track (named with the Aboriginal word 'Warrie', meaning 'rushing water') crosses several creeks and gullies. The track reaches the 'Meeting of the Waters', where all watercourses draining The Canyon meet, then climbs up the western side of the gorge. The moist and shady conditions at the base of Goomoolahra Falls provide an ideal habitat for the giant spear lilies Doryanthes palmeri. This succulent herb is one of only two members of the Doryanthiacea plant family, which is endemic to Australia.

Walking in Natural Bridge section

Springbrook National Park walking track map (PDF, 158K)*

The natural rock bridge, plunging waterfall and arched cave are surrounded by subtropical rainforest in the beautiful Numinbah Valley.

Nestled under the western ramparts of Springbrook plateau, the lush subtropical rainforest does not immediately disclose the cave and rock bridge for which the area has become famous. A display stand at the track entrance has maps and information about the park and its wildlife.

Part of Cave Creek within the Natural Bridge section of the national park is now a restricted access area—swimming is prohibited; penalties apply. Access is restricted to protect the glow-worms and the creek's sensitive ecosystem as well as to maximise visitor safety.

Read more about Natural Bridge's Cave Creek Restricted Access Area

Nearby Bochow Park and Forest Park in Numinbah section are perfect for picnicking. Both areas feature a creek and are popular spots during summer.

Note: There is very poor mobile phone reception in this area.

Natural Bridge circuit (Class 2)

Distance: 1 km return

Time: Allow about 1 hr walking time.

Note: Due to long sets of stairs, it is easier to walk this track in a clockwise direction.

Details: A sealed circuit track takes you through the forest, across Cave Creek and into the arched cave to witness the waterfall plunging from above. At night the cave is illuminated by thousands of glow-worms' tiny green lights. While glow-worms are visible year-round, their display is significantly reduced during the winter months. Interpretive signs along the circuit highlight the park's special features. The hoop pines Araucaria cunninghamii that emerge through the thick greenery of the surrounding rainforest are living relics of the Jurassic Age—the age of the conifers—about 180 million years ago. These pines are 'living dinosaurs'—they are among the most primitive of conifers.

Explore by night

Glow-worms are sensitive to changes to their environment, so please follow some basic cave rules:

Never expose glow-worms to smoke from cigarettes or fire, bright lights or insect repellents, as these can kill them.
Do not shine torchlight directly on the glow-worms; they will stop glowing for up to one hour—interrupting their feeding as well as spoiling the experience for others.
Note: After significant rainfall, part of the Natural Bridge walking track may be closed for public safety. Access is generally still available to the bridge formation and glow-worm cave.

Walking in Mount Cougal section

Springbrook National Park walking track map (PDF, 158K)*

At the headwaters of Currumbin Valley, the twin peaks of Mount Cougal give their name to this predominantly wilderness area of subtropical rainforest and rock-strewn creek beds. A display stand at the track entrance has maps and information about the park and its wildlife.

Note: There is very poor mobile phone reception in this area. The closest public phone is at Currumbin Rock Pools 6 km back along the Currumbin Road.

Cascades are scenic park features, but don't take risks with them! The creek contains submerged logs and rocks. Water depth is inconsistent and unpredictable. Because of moss and algae, rocks are slippery, even when they appear dry. Several people have died or suffered permanent spinal cord injuries after jumping or diving into the creek. Take notice of park signs.

Cascades track (Class 2)

DANGER: The creek contains submerged logs and rocks. Serious injury or death may result from jumping or diving in this water. Take care on rocks, as they may be slippery.

Distance: 1.6 km return

Time: Allow about 1 hr walking time

Details: The 800 m, bitumen path has a gradual uphill rise and is suitable for prams and assisted wheelchair access. Walk through subtropical rainforest beside Currumbin Creek to viewing platforms overlooking scenic cascades. Follow self-guiding signs to the historic sawmill and discover the park's past. The mill is a vivid reminder of the days when forests were valued only for their millable timber. Take time to reflect on why we need forests like those at Mount Cougal.

Guided tours and walks

The Connect with Nature program offers a range of nature-based activities and events every season for adults, children and families in and around parks and forests throughout Brisbane, Western Scenic Rim and Gold Coast and hinterland.

Download the Brisbane, Western Scenic Rim and Gold Coast and hinterland Connect with Nature activities and events calendar.

A number of commercial operators conduct night tours to Natural Bridge section of Springbrook National Park to view the glow-worms. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Picnic and day-use areas

There are several popular picnic areas here. No rubbish bins are provided in Springbrook National Park—please take your rubbish home with you.

Springbrook plateau

All picnic areas on the plateau have toilets and sheltered picnic areas. Springbrook plateau can be cool and rainy at all times of the year so carry a raincoat and warm clothing. Cliffs and waterfalls are spectacular but dangerous features of the park. All creeks on the plateau abruptly become waterfalls.

Rocks are slippery, even when they appear dry. Keep to walking tracks and supervise children closely—wandering off tracks could be fatal.

The Settlement day-use area, Gwongorella and Goomoolahra picnic areas all have disabled toilets; access may require assistance. Note: The Settlement car park and day-use area are grassed. Tallanbana picnic area is located just past the Canyon lookout. The Settlement day-use area, located opposite The Settlement camping area, features a large, flat grassed area suitable for large group activities. Please note that group activities that may interfere with general public use of the area will require a group activity permit.