The Best Springbrook National Park Walks, Queensland

Your guide to the best Springbrook National Park walks, including Natural Bridge, Twin Falls, Warringa Pool, and more!

Springbrook National Park is situated on the McPherson Range and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

Though the park is only an hour away from the cities of Gold Coast and Brisbane in Queensland, it still remains wild and relatively untouched.

Here you can connect with ancient wilderness and take on some truly incredible walks.

Springbrook National Park has walks with photo-worthy views, like the Best of All Lookout Track.

It also has trails that uncover natural wonders, like the Natural Bridge Walk and its luminescent glow worms. You can find waterfalls on the Twin Falls Circuit, or take on a multiday trek like the Gold Coast Great Walk.

From peaceful strolls to challenging walks across the Springbrook Plateau, there is something for everyone in Springbrook National Park.

Find more gorgeous treks with our guide to hiking in Australia!

Here is our list of the best Springbrook National Park walks. We’ll also cover some basic travel tips at the end to help you prepare for your adventures.

Please note that any of these Springbrook National Park walks may be closed during periods of heavy rainfall. There are lots of waterfalls, creeks, rivers, and rock pools in the area, so wet weather can make the tracks slippery or potentially dangerous.

Always check the Queensland National Parks website for any alerts or closures on these walks!

• Distance: 4km return​
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Starting Point: Gwongorella Picnic Area

The Purling Brook Falls Circuit is often recommended as one of the best walks to tackle in Springbrook National Park.

It takes roughly 2 hours to complete the circuit and has a moderate level of difficulty, making it a great starter walk for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of the Gold Coast Hinterland.

You’ll wind through eucalyptus forests and pass rocky cliffs as you descend into the lush rainforest.

There are lookout platforms along the way where you can view the spectacular Purling Brook Falls before you head down into the gorge.

Then you can admire the falls from below, before crossing a suspension bridge and climbing back up to the picnic area.

You can also add on the Warringa Pool Track, which branches off the Purling Brook Falls Circuit for another 2km at the base of the falls.

• Distance: 6km return
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Starting Point: Gwongorella picnic area

If you want to add a bit of extra challenge to the Purling Brook Falls Circuit, you can complete the Warringa Pool Track.

This trail extends from the bottom of the Purling Brook Falls Circuit for 1km to Warringa Pool. So that makes 6km of walking in total, including the Purling Brook Falls Circuit.

The tranquil rock pools of Warringa Pool are formed by Little Nerang Creek.

It’s often uncrowded down here, making it the most perfect place for a mid-hike swim and picnic.

• Distance: 4km return​
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Starting Point: Tallanbana Picnic Area or Canyon Lookout

The Twin Falls Circuit is another highlight of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area.

It’s a pretty popular walk, so try to start your trek early to avoid crowds at the lookouts.

You can start the trail from either Tallanbana Picnic Area or Canyon Lookout. Canyon Lookout is one of the best lookouts in Springbrook National Park, so definitely recommend checking that out before you hike.

On the Twin Falls Circuit, you’ll hike through the subtropical and temperate rainforest and pass behind two different waterfalls.

There are signs along the Twin Falls Circuit that outline the unique forest ecosystems. Most of the trail is sheltered in shade, so this is a great hike for a hot, sunny Queensland day.

While the waterfalls are gorgeous, the trees on this walk are a particular highlight. The Brush Box trees on the Twin Falls circuit are some of the oldest trees on Australia’s mainland!

Read next: 14 Incredible Gold Coast Hikes

• Distance: 1km return​
• Difficulty: Easy
• Starting Point: Natural Bridge Road Car Park

Natural Bridge Circuit is possibly the most famous hike in the Gold Coast area!

A highlight of Springbrook National Park, this easy and educational walk through the forest includes beautiful flora and fauna.

With interpretive signs and majestic hoop pine trees that have thrived for millions of years, this is a lovely walk for any nature lover.

You’ll also walk across Cave Creek and get to explore a rugged cave. The cave walls create a rocky arch, known as the Natural Bridge.

A plunging waterfall cascades right into the middle of a pristine pool, creating a magical scene. However, you can’t swim here. So just admire the views from land.

The Natural Bridge Circuit is also famous for its glow worm colony. With a good torch, you can walk the Natural Bridge Circuit after dark to admire the glow worms twinkling in the darkness.

The glow worms at Natural Bridge should be protected at all costs, so avoid shining your lights on the glow worms and never expose them to fire or cigarettes. Use your light to safely walk to Natural Bridge, but then turn it off when you arrive at the glow worm colony.

Many recommend walking the Natural Bridge section in a clockwise direction, as it’s an easier direction for tackling the stairs.

If you prefer to find the glow worms with the assistance of an expert guide, you can join a Natural Bridge Glow Worm tour from the Gold Coast.

• Distance: 14km return​
• Difficulty: Hard
• Starting Point: Tallanbana Picnic Area or Canyon Lookout

If you’re looking for a challenging hike in Springbrook National Park, the Warrie Circuit is an excellent option.

The entire hike takes around 5-6 hours, and starts at the same two locations as the Twin Falls Circuit.

Start your walk early so you can complete the entire Warrie Circuit in daylight! The track can be a bit treacherous in the dark.

This is the longest track on the plateau of the Gold Coast Hinterland. It’s named after the Aboriginal word “Warrie”, which means “rushing water”. It’s a fitting name as you’ll be crossing several creeks and gullies in the depths of the majestic rainforest!

The trail traverses the cliffs near Canyon Lookout and passes Goomoolahra Falls. Then you’ll hike downwards into the canyon before climbing up the western side of the gorge.

It’s a challenging trek that is absolutely packed with incredible scenery!

• Distance: 600m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Starting Point: Best of All Lookout Car Park on Repeater Station Road

Perfect for all ages, the Best of All Lookout Track is an easy and accessible walk in Springbrook National Park.

The short stroll to the Best of All Lookout takes you past powerful Antarctic beech trees that have existed in the Gondwanas since ancient times. Amidst the mossy forests, you can glimpse native plants and breathe in the fresh forest air.

At the Best of All Lookout platform, you can see all the way to northern New South Wales. Look out for the peak of Woolumbin Mountain (Mt. Warning) and the scenic coastline of Byron Bay.

Make sure you bring a camera to capture the panoramic views at Best of All Lookout, as it’s a highlight of Springbrook National Park.

You can visit Best of All Lookout and other highlights like Natural Bridge on a guided day trip from Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise!

• Distance: 250m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Starting Point: Goomoolahra Picnic Area on Springbrook Road

Another gorgeous viewpoint in Springbrook National Park is the Goomoolahra Falls Lookout.

The easy walk is even shorter than the Best of All Lookout, though we recommend visiting both if you have time.

This short walk provides views of the 60-metre cascade, Goomoolahra Falls. You can almost feel the spray from this magnificent waterfall!

Past the waterfall, the lookout has incredible views of Springbrook National Park and the entire Gold Coast area.

You might even be able to see all the way to Stradbroke Island or Moreton Island on a clear day.

• Distance: 1.6km return
• Difficulty: Easy
• Starting Point: Picnic area at the end of Currumbin Creek Road

One of the top walking tracks in the Mount Cougal section of Springbrook National Park is the Cougal Cascades Track.

It’s wheelchair accessible and suitable for prams so anyone can access the majestic rainforest views.

The track winds through subtropical rainforest and past Currumbin Creek at a gradual incline.

You are rewarded with a lovely lookout that has views of tumbling cascades and the lush Springbrook National Park scenery.

Continue walking past the cascades to check out a historic sawmill from the 1940s. It’s a poignant reminder of the logging that used to occur in the forests of Queensland.

Luckily most of these beautiful areas are now national parks where the wilderness is revered and protected!

• Distance: 54km
• Difficulty: Hard
• Starting Point: The Settlement Camping Area in Springbrook National Park, or O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park

One of the best walking tracks in all of Queensland is the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

It takes roughly 3 days to complete and combines wilderness camping, wildlife spotting, waterfall swimming, and of course, hiking.

The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk links Lamington National Park in the west with Springbrook National Park in the east.

Many recommend doing the walk from west to east, as you’ll be walking on more of a downhill slope.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can start the walk in Springbrook National Park and walk from east to west.

Most hikers break up the Gold Coast Great Walk into these sections (can be reversed if you’re starting the hike in Springbrook National Park as opposed to Lamington):

• O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to Binna Burra
• Binna Burra to Woonoongoora Walkers Camp
• Woonoongoora Walkers Camp to The Settlement Camping Area

Combining several shorter walking tracks, the Great Walk encompasses some of the most spectacular views in the Gold Coast.

You can admire the rich green hills of surrounding rural valleys and see all the way to the Gold Coast beaches on clear days.

The Springbrook National Park section of the walk includes the Purling Brook Falls and Warringa Pool Walks as well.

Now that we’ve covered the top Springbrook National Park walks, we will help you prepare for your trip even further.

Before hiking anywhere in the world, it’s important to consider the time of year, the local weather, and your gear.

Check out our general hiking tips, or read further while we dive into some specifics for Springbrook National Park.

You can easily get to Springbrook National Park from the Gold Coast or Brisbane.

The best way to explore is with your own car, but you can also join a guided day trip from the city.

On your drive into the park, consider driving the famous Gold Coast Springbrook Road, also known as State Route 99.

The 22km scenic drive winds through the open eucalypt forest and provides epic views of the nearby valleys and waterfalls.

Just be sure to drive extra carefully on the Gold Coast Springbrook Road, especially in rainy weather. The route can be narrow and has plenty of sharp curves.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

The best time to visit Springbrook National Park depends on your interests, such as hiking, wildlife, or waterfalls.

Spring (September, October, November) and Autumn (March, April, May) are generally the best months to visit Springbrook National Park in terms of weather and hiking.

The weather is usually warm and crisp, with little humidity and a low chance of rain. This is a great time for major outdoor adventures like camping or hiking the Great Walk.

Summer (December, January, February) is the hottest, rainiest, and most humid time of year. While tracks may be muddy and the weather may be hot and sticky, this is when waterfalls are at their most impressive.

The streams and rock pools are also a dream for swimming in summer to escape the Gold Coast heat!

Winter (June, July, August) has the coolest temperatures and the driest weather. This is a fabulous time for long hikes and wildlife spotting.

So you can visit Springbrook National Park year-round! Note that the Springbrook Plateau is higher elevation than the Gold Coast, so the weather conditions may differ out there than the city. Always check the weather before hiking!

Read next: The Best Time To Visit Brisbane, Australia

Glow worms thrive in Springbrook National Park year round, but summer is the best time to see them at places like Natural Bridge.

The thick summer humidity makes their bioluminescence stronger, so you can see then glowing much brighter.

The glow worms are still there in winter, but their light isn’t as bright.

To experience this natural phenomenon, visit the Natural Bridge section of the park after dark.

Consider joining a guided nocturnal tour, as navigating the park at night can be challenging.

Whether you’re hitting the popular spots like Natural Bridge or tackling longer trails like Twin Falls Circuit, it’s important to be prepared for hikes around the Springbrook Plateau.

Consider wearing sturdy hiking shoes so you’re prepared for any terrain, as well as comfortable active wear clothing.

Prepare for any trek with our list of hiking essentials!

Here are some essentials to pack for any walk in Springbrook National Park:

• Water bottle of hydration pack
• Healthy snacks
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Camera
• Phone for maps or other form of navigation like a GPS
• First aid kit

Here are some additional items you may want depending on the hike you’re doing:

• Swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes if you’re swimming
• Head torch or flashlight if you’re seeking glow worms after dark
• Camping gear if you’re spending the night
• Warm layers if you’re hiking in cooler weather or in the early morning
• Trekking poles if you’re doing a longer hike

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