Springbrook National Park
Queensland
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Gondwana Rainforests, the startling landscapes of Springbrook National Park are among the many highlights of Queensland’s Gold Coast Hinterlands. Carved out by an ancient volcano, the rugged plateau is now a natural wonderland of forested gorges, jagged cliffs, and cascading waterfalls.
Most visitors opt to explore Springbrook National Park on a day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, often in combination with the neighboring Mt. Tamborine National Park, famous for its glowworm caves. A typical full-day tour might include a visit to landmarks such as the Natural Bridge and Cave Creek Waterfall; a short walk through the rain forest, spotting exotic birds and other wildlife; and a spectacular view over the Numinbah Valley followed by a picnic lunch at Purling Brook Falls.
Springbrook National Park is ideal for outdoors lovers, hikers, and bird watchers, who will want to look out for the rare Albert’s lyrebird, found only at Springbrook.
There is no entrance fee to enter the national park.
A 4WD is recommended for driving in the park.
The park has limited visitor facilities, so be sure to bring everything you need including comfortable shoes, sun or rain protection, food, and plenty of water.
Springbrook National Park is located 65 miles (105 kilometers) south of Brisbane and it’s an around 1.5-hour drive from the city or 45-minute drive from the Gold Coast. There are no public transport options for reaching the park so the only way to get there is to join a guided tour or hire a private vehicle.
You can visit Springbrook all year, but the most popular time is the summer months (December to March). The forested mountains are often much cooler than the beaches and coastal towns, so don’t worry about it being too hot to hike. From June to September, the weather is ideal for hiking but it can get cold in evening, so bring some warm clothing.
The best way to experience Springbrook is on foot. Many of the walks in Springbrook National Park are signposted, making it easy to find your way, and some also include information boards explaining the various plants and wildlife. Popular short walks include the 2-hour Twin Falls Circuit, passing through lush rain forest, where you can admire the views from Canyon Lookout and swim in a natural rock pool. Another busy trail is the Purling Brook Falls Circuit, a 2- to 3-hour hike including a suspension bridge through a dramatic gorge. For something more challenging, the Warrie Circuit is a full-day hike (around 6 hours) to stunning Goomoolahra Falls.
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