Information
Landmark: Springbrook National ParkCity: Gold Coast
Country: Australia
Continent: Australia
Springbrook National Park, Gold Coast, Australia, Australia
Overview
Tucked into Queensland’s Gold Coast Hinterland, Springbrook National Park dazzles with lush rainforest, cool waterfalls, and sweeping mountain views.Famous for its sweeping views, dense green rainforests, tumbling waterfalls, and extraordinary wildlife, this UNESCO World Heritage site forms part of Australia’s Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves.If you love nature, enjoy hiking, or just want to take in the Gold Coast hinterland’s beauty-like the scent of eucalyptus in the morning-this park belongs on your list.First.Springbrook National Park lies about 40 km from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, nestled within the lush Lamington Plateau.The park spans 6,000 hectares, with lush subtropical rainforests that smell of damp earth, towering cliffs, and rock formations shaped millions of years ago.You can reach the park by driving along Springbrook Road from the Gold Coast, a winding route shaded by tall eucalyptus trees.You can reach a variety of walking trails and scenic lookouts by car or simply stroll in on foot, catching the scent of pine as you go.You can enter the park from a few spots, like The Settlement area or the Purlingbrook Falls car park, where you might catch the sound of rushing water before you even step onto the trail.Number two.Springbrook National Park bursts with rainforests, cliffs, and winding creeks, creating a rich mix of landscapes and ecosystems that make it one of the Gold Coast’s rare treasures.Among its standout natural features is a sheer cliff face that catches the morning light like burnished copper.The park’s subtropical rainforests steal the show, where towering trees cast deep shade over ferns and thick, green undergrowth.Many of the park’s trees are ancient, their roots sunk deep into the Gondwana rainforest, a living remnant from millions of years ago.The park shelters eucalypt forests, wet sclerophyll groves, and pockets of montane heath, where the air smells faintly of gum leaves and countless plants and animals thrive.Number two.Purlingbrook Falls, one of the park’s most famous sights, plunges 100 meters into a rocky gorge, the sound of rushing water echoing through the trees.After a good rain, the falls roar to life, sending up cool mist that beads on your skin and turns the rainforest around them into a shimmering green curtain.Twin Falls draws plenty of visitors, with two cascades tumbling into a calm, glassy pool below.On the Twin Falls Circuit, you can slip behind the curtain of water and wander through the lush, damp air of the rainforest.Goomoolahra Falls, just a short stroll from the picnic area, spills over the rocks into a clear, chattering creek and offers yet another beautiful spot to explore in the park.Rainforest Circuits: Winding trails near the falls lead you through dense, green rainforest, where you can pause to hear rushing water and take in the area's wild beauty.Number three sat there, small and neat, like it had been penciled in at the edge of a page.Best of All Lookout treats you to sweeping views of rugged mountains, green valleys, and the Gold Coast shimmering far away-a perfect place to snap a photo and soak in the crisp, fresh air.On a clear day, you might spot the glint of sunlight on the Pacific Ocean far in the distance.The Pinnacle Lookout, perched along The Pinnacle Walk trail, offers wide, breathtaking views of the rolling hinterland-perfect for pausing to take in the park’s wild beauty, with eucalyptus leaves whispering in the breeze.Number three.Springbrook National Park bursts with life, sheltering everything from bright-eyed possums to rare, endangered species.The park’s mix of forests, wetlands, and open meadows teems with life, from tiny tree frogs hiding under damp leaves to larger wildlife beyond.In the park, you’ll often spot Rainbow Lorikeets flashing their bright feathers, King Parrots perched in the trees, and Eastern Whipbirds calling from the undergrowth.Several species of owls, eagles, and pigeons live in the park, and their calls at dawn draw birdwatchers from all over.Number two stood out in bold black ink, simple and unmissable.Visitors might catch sight of marsupials like the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, a Swamp Wallaby grazing in the shade, or a Brush-tailed Possum climbing quietly at dusk.You might also spot the shy Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat here, nosing through dry grass at dusk.You’ll often spot Yellow-bellied Gliders and Sugar Gliders in the park after dark, their soft calls carrying through the cool night air.ThreeIn the park’s rainforests and along its muddy creek beds, you might spot geckos, sleek skinks, and frogs of every shade of green.Keep an eye out for the Giant Barred Frog-it’s a striking creature, with bold dark bands that almost seem painted on.Number four.The park teems with insects-bright butterflies drifting over flowers, dragonflies skimming the pond, and tiny glowworms lighting up the trails after sunset.Number four.Springbrook National Park offers trails for every fitness level, from gentle paths under fern-covered canopies to longer hikes that wind past rushing waterfalls.One of the favorite trails people talk about is number one, where the path winds past tall pines and crunching gravel.The 4‑kilometre Purlingbrook Falls Circuit winds through cool, green rainforest, leading you to the thunder and mist of the spectacular falls.The track has a few steep stretches, yet most walkers can handle it without trouble.As you walk, you can soak in the forest’s quiet hush and catch sight of the waterfall’s silver rush, pausing at a few lookout points that offer breathtaking views.Number two.The Twin Falls Circuit is a 4 km loop that winds past rushing water and lush ferns, and it’s easily one of the park’s most popular walks.The trail winds behind Twin Falls, where cool mist clings to your skin, then carries you through dense, green rainforest for a view of the waterfalls you won’t get from anywhere else.Parts of the trail wind over a wooden boardwalk, then climb a few weathered steps.Number three.The 1.5 km return trail to the Best of All Lookout winds through cool, mossy forest before opening to sweeping views of the hinterland.The trail’s gentle and well-marked, so hikers of any age can enjoy it, even kids counting pinecones along the way.Number four.The Pinnacle Walk is a tougher trail that leads you up to The Pinnacle Lookout, where jagged peaks and sweeping valleys stretch out beneath you.It’s a 5.5 km walk with a steep stretch that’ll get your legs burning, but at the top, the view sweeps out for miles.Number five.If you’re up for a tougher trek, the Warrie Circuit winds 17 km through lush rainforest, splashes across cool streams, and passes cascading waterfalls like the stunning Warrie Falls.This hike’s tougher, with steep sections that demand solid fitness.Five.Springbrook National Park has plenty of picnic spots and campgrounds, perfect if you want to linger and explore.You might spread a blanket under the shade of a tall gum tree and listen to the kookaburras call.One favorite stop is the Settlement Campground, a simple site with picnic tables under the trees, clean toilets, and a few sturdy barbecues ready for use.Goomoolahra Picnic Area offers a quiet spot with barbecue grills and a short, easy walk to the misty edge of Goomoolahra Falls.Number six.You can visit Springbrook National Park any time of year, and each season brings its own charm-from misty spring mornings to the crisp gold of autumn leaves.Spring and autumn are perfect for visiting-you’ll get crisp, gentle air and room to wander without the usual crowds.Summer often hangs heavy with heat and damp air, and rain clouds can roll in without warning, while winter brings sharp drops in temperature yet leaves the park calm and quietly beautiful.Tucked high in the mountains, the air often feels cooler than it does by the coast, so pack a jacket and maybe a warm scarf you can peel off when the sun comes out.Seven.In conclusion, Springbrook National Park is a true gem, with sweeping mountain views, a chorus of bird calls, and a rich variety of wildlife.
