Springbrook: Rainforest, Waterfalls and Panoramic Views

Springbrook combines views across the valley to the coast with the natural riches of the surrounding highlands. Canyon Lookout is located in the township of Springbrook itself. Nearby, Springbrook National Park offers a diverse landscape: its 6,558 hectares are divided into four main sections—the Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal to the southeast, and Natural Bridge and Numinbah to the west.

Rainforest, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes

The Springbrook Plateau is a remnant of the northern side of a once-huge shield volcano that shaped the region around 23 million years ago. Today, cool forests and mountain streams alternate with subtropical and temperate rainforest, open eucalypt forest and montane heath in the national park. Lookouts, dense rainforest, waterfalls and ancient Antarctic beech trees are also part of the plateau’s landscape.

Almost all of Springbrook National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. More than 100 bird species can be seen and heard in the park; which ones you may spot varies with conditions. This gives you a choice when planning your trip between different nature experiences: sweeping views, forest and birdwatching, or trails leading to waterfalls.

Trails to lookouts and waterfalls

Trail lengths can help you plan day trips around the amount of walking you’d like to do. The Buliya-buliya jagun – land of many little birds boardwalk on the Springbrook Plateau is graded 2, is 100 metres long (return) and leads to a platform lookout. For a longer circuit, compare it with the Twin Falls Circuit: the 4-kilometre circuit passes behind two waterfalls, through rock clefts and among palms and tree ferns.

The Goomoolahra Falls lookout track offers another perspective on waterfalls. It passes through the Goomoolahra picnic area to a lookout at the top of the 60-metre-high Goomoolahra Falls. At 14 kilometres (return), the Warrie Circuit is considerably longer: it follows the base of the cliffs at The Canyon to Goomoolahra Falls, then descends into the rainforest. Before visiting Twin Falls or Warrie, check the latest park information.

If you’re looking for forest and views rather than a waterfall route, the Best of All lookout track offers a different focus. The trail passes through ancient Antarctic beech forest to a view of northern New South Wales, shaped by Woolumbin (Mount Warning). The trails therefore differ not only in length, but also in whether the focus is on views, forest or waterfalls.

Yugambeh culture and Springbrook’s history

Springbrook National Park is in Yugambeh Country. The clans of the Yugambeh language group are linguistically connected. One or more dialects of the Yugambeh language are spoken within the Yugambeh language group. Cultural stories about Springbrook explain the Yugambeh people’s connection to the land, its plants and animals.

Springbrook’s history as a destination also goes back a long way: in the 1920s, visitors were drawn by steep cliff faces, deep gorges and roaring waterfalls. Gauriemabah, Springbrook’s first schoolhouse on Old School Road, was built in 1911; its exhibitions tell stories about Springbrook. These historical and cultural insights complement the nature experiences, so a stay need not be limited to walking trails.

Getting to the Springbrook Plateau and planning your visit

Two access routes from the Pacific Motorway lead to the Springbrook Plateau: from Mudgeeraba via Gold Coast–Springbrook Road, or from Nerang via Nerang–Murwillumbah Road and Pine Creek Road. Both sealed roads are steep, winding and narrow. As road conditions can change, check them before you drive. When choosing a holiday rental in Springbrook, the mix of lookouts, waterfall trails and longer forest walks you have planned can help guide your day trips.

Camping is available on the Springbrook Plateau at The Settlement camping area. Camping permits must be booked in advance online or by phone; check the latest booking information before you travel. Whether you’re planning a stay in accommodation or at a campground, the specific places you want to visit and the route to the plateau are useful things to include in your day-trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Nerang, Wongawallan, Canungra, Beechmont, Main Beach, Currumbin, Labrador, Ashmore.

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