Journeys

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 minutes to walk 1 kilometre. This time is calculated for people of average fitness and bushwalking experience and who are wearing ankle supporting 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.

Walking tracks at a glance

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

Walking tracks on Springbrook plateau

• Springbrook National Park walking track maps and information (PDF, 436.1KB)

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.

Visit Gauriemabah—place of stories, at the old schoolhouse on Old School Road, and discover the many tales of Springbrook. Enter the old playshed and step into the playground of the past. The schoolhouse was Springbrook's first schoolhouse built in 1911. Read more about Springbrook’s history in the cultural section.

Gauriemabah is open between 8.00am and 3.30pm daily, not including weekends and public holidays. Public toilets are located beside the centre. Please note that this centre is not staffed and if you need to contact a ranger please see contact details.

Alternatively, a community tourist information centre operates opposite Wunburra lookout between 10am and 2pm on weekends, with volunteers providing tourist information such as visitor attractions, accommodation and tour guides.

Buliya-buliya jagun—land of many little birds boardwalk

Grade 2

Distance: 100m return

Time: Allow about 5min

Details: Visit the plateau's montane heathland boardwalk and lookout 100m from Gaurieimabah—place of stories. Look and listen for the many little birds as you venture along the boardwalk to the lookout or rest at the seating. Views from the lookout are dominated by the Gold Coast City high-rise framed by the Coral Sea that stretches to the horizon.

Canyon lookout

Grade 1

Distance: 30m return

Time: Allow about 5min

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

Grade 1

Distance: 250m return

Time: Allow about 5min

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

Boojerahla lookout track

Grade 2

Distance: 200m return beyond Goomoolahra Falls lookout

Time: Allow about 10min

Details: This short track leads on from the Goomoolahra Falls lookout and provides extended views of the escarpment.

Best of All lookout track

Grade 2

Distance: 600m return

Time: Allow about 30min walking time

Details: Walk through ancient Antarctic beech forest to a view of northern New South Wales dominated by Mount Warning, the lava plug at the 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 to the ancient forests of Gondwana that occurred here during a past cooler climate. 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

Grade 3

Distance: 4km return

Time: Allow about 2hr 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 2km and allow another 40min 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. After crossing the suspension bridge 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.

Note: After significant rainfall, parts of the Purling Brook walking track may be closed for public safety. Access is generally still available to the western lookout during these closures. Please ensure you check the Park alerts before you visit this park.

Warringa Pool track

Grade 3

Distance: 6km return

Time: Allow 3hr return from Gwongorella picnic area

Caution: The Warringa Pool track is 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: This track branches off the Purling Brook Falls circuit near the base of the falls and continues for 1km to end at Warringa Pool. Surrounded by rainforest, Little Nerang Creek continues to carve the boulders it flows over. This is part of the Hinze Dam catchment so be a responsible walker and practice minimal impact bushwalking. Be aware that the rocks may be slippery, even when they appear dry .

Note: After significant rainfall, the Warringa Pool track may be closed for public safety. Please ensure you check the Park alerts before you visit this park.

Twin Falls circuit

Grade 3

Distance: 4km return

Time: Allow about 2hr walking time

Caution: Tracks behind the waterfalls may be slippery, even when they appear dry.

Details: Start this walk from Tallanbana 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

Grade 4

Distance: 14km return

Time: Allow about 5 to 6hr walking time

Caution:

• Natural creek crossings may be impassable after heavy rain. Allow enough time to finish the walk in daylight hours.
• Some sections of the circuit may be excessively overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls likely to be present. Exercise caution when walking.

Details: Start at Canyon lookout or Tallanbana. 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 and information (PDF, 436.1KB)

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 has picnic facilities and has access to the nearby creek. This is a popular spot during summer.

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

Natural Bridge circuit

Grade 2

Distance: 1km return

Time: Allow about 1hr 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. 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 all conifers.

Explore by night

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.

Caution: When walking at night, exercise caution and ensure you have sufficient lighting.

To minimise your impact on the glow-worm colony and ensure the population will be here for future generations to enjoy, 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 glow-worm cave. Please ensure you check Park alerts before you visit this park.

Walking in Mount Cougal section

• Springbrook National Park walking track map and information (PDF, 436.1KB)

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 6km 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

Grade 2

Distance: 1.6km return

Time: Allow about 1hr walking time

Details: The 800m, bitumen path has a gradual uphill rise and is suitable for prams and assisted wheelchair access. Walk through subtropical rainforest beside Currumbin Creek to a viewing platform 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.

Remote bushwalking

Springbrook National Park offers spectacular remote area bushwalking opportunities in the Gold Coast hinterland. The extremely rugged mountain terrain can be hazardous for inexperienced or poorly prepared walkers. A high level of physical fitness and navigational skills are essential.

Walkers should familiarise themselves with the area before attempting an extended or remote walk.

Contact us for assistance with route advice and other detailed information. Established bushwalking clubs with experienced off-track walkers regularly organise trips to Springbrook National Park. Guidebooks covering most walks are available from specialist camping stores and some bookshops.

Remote area walking is only advised in the cooler weather, usually April to September. Walking during summer can be very hazardous due to high temperatures and lack of surface water.

All remote bushwalkers are expected to follow the minimal impact bushwalking practices, such as observing proper sanitation and hygiene methods and avoiding polluting water in any way.