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National park · Gold Coast, Queensland
Springbrook National Park
Park in the mountains behind the Gold Coast, part of the UNESCO Gondwana Rainforests, with a natural bridge over a waterfall and glow-worms in the cave.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Springbrook National Park
Springbrook National Park sits in the mountains of the McPherson Range, about an hour from Surfers Paradise, and is part of Australia’s Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The mountains are remnants of a large 23-million-year-old volcano, and the forest preserves very ancient plant lineages.
The most visited area is the Natural Bridge, a natural rock bridge formed when Cave Creek carved a hole in the basalt: the waterfall drops through the hole into a cave. A short trail of about 1 km descends through the forest to it. At night, the cave lights up with glow-worms, which are seen on guided tours.
On the Springbrook plateau there are other trails and lookouts, such as the Best of All Lookout, with views over the valley and Mount Warning, and Purling Brook Falls, a high waterfall. The forest hosts birds like the satin bowerbird and the lyrebird.
There is no park entry fee. The road is a mountain road, narrow and winding.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a full day.
Best time
From April to October, when trails are drier. After rains the waterfalls are fuller. Glow-worms can be seen year-round at night.
How to get there
By car from Surfers Paradise via Nerang–Murwillumbah Road to the Natural Bridge, in about an hour. There are day tours and night tours to see the glow-worms.
Tip
Do not use torches or flash in the glow-worm cave. Bring insect repellent and sturdy footwear, as trails become slippery after rain.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Springbrook National Park
What is the Natural Bridge?
It is a natural rock bridge where the waterfall falls through a hole into a cave. It is located in Springbrook National Park, about an hour from the coast.
Can you see the glow-worms in Springbrook?
Yes, at night, in the Natural Bridge cave, on guided tours or on your own, without strong lights and without flash.
Is Springbrook a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes, it is part of the Australian Gondwana Rainforests, together with Lamington and other parks in the region.