Australia: The Land Where Time Began
Springbrook National Park
What's special?
Over thousands of years, water and volcanic activity have carved a spectacular landscape of cliffs, gorges and waterfalls around the Springbrook Plateau just behind the Gold Coast. Almost 3000ha of rainforest, open forest and montane heath are protected in Springbrook National Park. Picturesque creeks, tumbling waterfalls and panoramic views make Springbrook one of the state’s most popular parks.More than 100 bird species live in the park and rare and threatened animals like the Richmond birdwing rely on Springbrook’s forests for their survival. Ten percent of the plants are only found locally.
Aboriginal names are a reminder that this is a special place for indigenous people. Gwongorella means “dancing waters” while Warrie means “rushing”. The plateau was not opened up for grazing selection until 1906 and forestry was a thriving industry in the early 20th century.
Springbrook is part of a chain of mountains and forest remnants on both sides of the Queensland/New South Wales border known as the “Scenic Rim”. These forests are protected in the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage Area.
Exploring Springbrook
Springbrook is a refreshingly cool retreat from the summer heat. The park’s picnic areas and walking tracks are very popular.Take a scenic drive to Springbrook and enjoy spectacular views over the Gold Coast and hinterland. Go for a short walk or simply relax in the bush.
Find a perfect picnic spot at Goomoolahra, Tallanbana or Gwongorella. You might see brush-turkeys, satin bowerbirds, noisy miners and crimson rosellas. Toilets, a shelter shed, picnic tables and barbecues are provided. Gwongorella has electric barbecues. Boil the water for five minutes before drinking or take your own water supply.
Enjoy a bushwalk in the fresh mountain air. Look for logrunners in the rainforest leaf litter or listen for the call of the Albert’s lyrebird. The Twin Falls circuit is a great introduction to the park. See rainforest, open forest and montane heath, waterfalls and scenic views on this short walk.
You can bush camp at Purling Brook Falls. Campsites are limited and bookings are essential. The campground has very basic facilities (no showers or bins) and is unsuitable for caravans. Bush camping is not allowed in the park.
Discover the plateau’s fascinating past and the present-day forests at the Springbrook Information Centre. The centre is housed in a 1911 schoolhouse.
Walking
Choose from graded tracks between 700m and 17km. The Purling Brook Falls circuit is the most popular walk. WARNING: Serious injury or death can result from walking near the cliff edge. Stay on the track. Supervise children closely.Accessibility
Goomoolahra picnic area has a wheelchair-accessible picnic area, toilets and sealed 100m walking track. At the information centre, a 100m boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs and strollers leads to a lookout over the Gold Coast.Getting there
Springbrook is 90 minutes by road from Brisbane or 45 minutes from the Gold Coast via Nerang or Mudgeeraba. Both routes are steep and winding. Food and fuel are available on the Plateau.From Brisbane, take the Pacific Highway about 70km south to Mudgeeraba, then drive 29km to Springbrook. From Nerang, 65km south of Brisbane, take the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road to Numinbah Valley and drive a further 18km to Springbrook.
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| Last updated 05/11/2008 |
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