Springbrook National Park is a World Heritage rainforest park in the Gold Coast hinterland, about 55 minutes by car from Surfers Paradise, with tall waterfalls, cliff-edge lookouts and walks that run from a 30 m stroll to a full day. It is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, and the plateau is the part most people visit.
On the plateau, Purling Brook Falls, Twin Falls and the Best of All Lookout are all within reach of each other, so one day covers a lot. The park has four sections: the plateau, Natural Bridge (the glow-worm cave), Mount Cougal and Numinbah.
Walks in Springbrook National Park
In order of effort:
- Canyon Lookout: about 30 m, a stroll to a big view.
- Best of All Lookout track: about 600 m return, under half an hour.
- Twin Falls circuit: Grade 3, about 4 km, 2 to 3 hours.
- Purling Brook Falls circuit: about 4 km, about 2 hours.
Canyon Lookout and the Twin Falls circuit
Canyon Lookout is a big view for almost no walking. From it you look across to Twin Falls and out towards the Gold Coast.
The Twin Falls circuit starts at Canyon Lookout (you can also start from Tallanbana picnic area) and passes behind two waterfalls, past a big rock pool and through rock clefts. It has steep cliff edges and slippery rock, so keep children close and wear shoes with grip. The final climb is steep with many steps, and the track is not suited to prams or wheelchairs.
Purling Brook Falls circuit
Purling Brook Falls drops about 100 m into a deep rainforest valley. The circuit is about 4 km, takes about 2 hours and is slightly easier walked clockwise. It starts at Gwongorella picnic area, where there are toilets, and there are two lookouts near the start.
The top and the base of the falls are restricted areas and entry is prohibited, so the views are from the lookouts. Swimming is not allowed.
A major upgrade of the Purling Brook Falls and The Settlement area is under way: the Queensland Government is building a new suspension bridge and upgrading the lookouts, walking track connections, visitor facilities and parking, a project worth $18.5 million. Parts of the circuit and The Settlement can be closed while work is on, so check the park alerts before you go.
Best of All Lookout
The Best of All Lookout track starts from the car park at the end of Repeater Station Road and runs through Antarctic beech forest, one of the few remaining links to the ancient Gondwana forests, with some trees more than a thousand years old. It ends at a lookout with a view dominated by Mount Warning in northern New South Wales, and on a clear day you can also see Byron Bay and Coolangatta.
The lookouts on the plateau are often wrapped in cloud even when the coast is sunny. For the best views, go on a clear, smoke-free day.
Goomoolahra Falls
From Goomoolahra picnic area it is a walk of about 250 m return to Goomoolahra Falls and two lookouts. It is a good short stop if you have small children or only an hour.
Picnic areas and facilities
The plateau has several picnic areas, including Gwongorella (for Purling Brook Falls), Goomoolahra (for Goomoolahra Falls) and Tallanbana (for Twin Falls). Gwongorella and Goomoolahra have toilets and sheltered picnic tables.
For access details on the tracks and picnic areas, ring Queensland Parks on 13 74 68.
Cougal Cascades and Mount Cougal
The Mount Cougal section is in the Currumbin Valley, off Currumbin Creek Road. The Cougal Cascades track is an 800 m bitumen path with a gradual uphill rise, through subtropical rainforest beside Currumbin Creek to a viewing platform over the cascades. It suits prams and assisted wheelchair access, and signs along the way tell the story of a historic sawmill.
There is a car park, a picnic area and a toilet at the start. If you want a proper swim afterwards, Currumbin Rock Pools are in the same valley.
Natural Bridge and the glow-worm cave
Natural Bridge is a rock arch over Cave Creek, reached from the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road on the western side of the park. A one-kilometre circuit, walked clockwise, leads through rainforest to a waterfall that pours into a cave, and the cave has a colony of glow-worms that you can see on a guided night tour. Swimming in Cave Creek, including inside the cave, is prohibited, and so is access to the creek bank. The Natural Bridge guide covers the circuit, the cave rules and the best time for the glow-worms.
Can you swim in Springbrook National Park?
Not in the places most people want to. Swimming is banned in Cave Creek at Natural Bridge, including inside the cave, and at Purling Brook Falls, where you must also stay out of the restricted areas at the top and base. Elsewhere in the park, only swim where a sign says it is allowed, and never dive or jump into a creek, because the water can be shallow or hide submerged rocks.
Is Springbrook National Park dog friendly?
No. Dogs are not permitted in Springbrook National Park, so leave your dog at home.
Camping and the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk
The Settlement, on Carricks Road, is the only camping area in the park. You can pitch a tent or park a camper trailer or campervan. You need a camping permit, which you book and pay for in advance through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service, and you display a tag with your booking number at your site. The Settlement is in the area being upgraded, so check the park alerts before you book.
The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk runs 54 km from the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park to The Settlement. Allow three days; walking from west to east is recommended. Sections are remote, so it is for prepared bushwalkers. If you want to prepare, Essential Tips for Hiking Trails in South East Queensland covers the basics, and the Leave No Trace principles apply on the plateau too.
Planning your visit
- How long: half a day covers Canyon Lookout, the Best of All Lookout and Goomoolahra Falls; a full day lets you add the Twin Falls or Purling Brook Falls circuit. Natural Bridge is a separate drive.
- Best time: on a clear day for the long views, and pack for cloud and mist.
- Cost: no day-entry fee is listed. Camping needs a booked permit and a fee.
- What to bring: water, a hat, sturdy shoes with grip, a rain jacket, insect repellent and a charged phone.
- Accessibility: Canyon Lookout is a 30 m walk and Cougal Cascades is a sealed track that suits prams. The Twin Falls circuit does not. For other tracks, ring Queensland Parks on 13 74 68.
- Dogs: not allowed.
Getting there and parking
For the plateau, leave the Pacific Motorway at Mudgeeraba (exit 80) and follow Springbrook Road up the range, about 25 to 30 minutes. You can also come up from Nerang through the Numinbah Valley. The access roads are windy, narrow and steep in places.
The plateau is about 110 km by road and about 1 hour 40 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD, and about 55 minutes by car from Surfers Paradise (drive times without traffic). Natural Bridge is a separate entrance on the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road, about 1 hour 35 minutes from the CBD.
The Purling Brook and The Settlement upgrade includes expanded parking, so conditions at that end of the plateau may change. Go early on a fine weekend. Plan any public transport trip with the Translink Journey Planner; no bus to the plateau was confirmed.
More detail is on Queensland Parks’ Springbrook National Park page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Natural Bridge, Springbrook – the glow-worm cave and a short rainforest circuit.
- Lamington National Park – the next rainforest park along the range, joined to Springbrook by the Great Walk.
- Currumbin Rock Pools – a council-monitored creek swimming spot for after the walks.
- Cedar Creek Falls – another hinterland waterfall to visit.
- Tamborine Mountain Rainforest Skywalk – rainforest from the treetops, on Tamborine Mountain.
- Things to do on the Gold Coast – for the rest of the trip.
Browse more national parks, waterfalls and the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Quick answers
Is Springbrook National Park free?
No day-entry fee is listed for the park. Camping at The Settlement needs a permit that you book and pay for in advance.
How long do you need at Springbrook National Park?
Half a day covers the main lookouts and Goomoolahra Falls. Allow a full day if you want to walk the Twin Falls or Purling Brook Falls circuit, which each take about 2 hours or a little more.
Can you swim at Springbrook National Park?
Swimming is banned in Cave Creek at Natural Bridge and at Purling Brook Falls. Elsewhere, only swim where a sign says it is allowed, and never dive or jump in.
Are dogs allowed in Springbrook National Park?
No. Dogs are not permitted in the park.
What is the best short walk at Springbrook National Park?
Canyon Lookout is a 30 m walk to a big view of Twin Falls. The Best of All Lookout track is about 600 m return and ends at a view of Mount Warning.
How far is Springbrook National Park from Brisbane and the Gold Coast?
The plateau is about 110 km and about 1 hour 40 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD, and about 55 minutes from Surfers Paradise. The road up is steep and winding.
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