If you love the sight and sound of waterfalls, Springbrook National Park is your place. There are falls of all shapes and sizes from the towering Purling Brook Falls to the beauty of the Natural Bridge with its glow worm-studded cave. You can even walk behind a curtain of water at Blackfellow and Rainbow Falls.
Springbrook National Park is 90 minutes from Brisbane and 60 minutes from the Gold Coast in the Gold Coast Hinterland. You do not need a national park pass for Springbrook National Park. Not only can you get to most of Springbrook’s waterfalls from short walks, but you also get to take in beautiful rainforests which make up part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area.
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Springbrook Waterfalls Guide
In our Springbrook Waterfalls Guide we’ll let you know where the waterfalls are, where to park, how far you walk to see them and whether you can swim at the falls or not.
Most of the waterfalls are in the Springbrook Plateau section of the park. The Natural Bridge Section and Mount Cougal Sections each have one waterfall.
All the waterfalls in Springbrook National Park have water year round but they will always look better after rain. If there has been an extended period of rain, check the National Parks website in case any walking trails are closed.
Day Trips to Springbrook National Park
- Natural Bridge & Springbrook Waterfalls Tour – Visit Purling Brook Falls, Rainbow Falls, Best of All Lookout, Canyon Lookout & Natural Bridge
- Springbrook, Natural Arch & Numinbah Valley – Start the day with a Hot Air Balloon ride & Champagne Breakfast followed by a guided rainforest & waterfall guided walk.
Purling Brook Falls
At 106m high Purling Brook Falls are the tallest waterfall in Springbrook National Park. The walk to the bottom of the falls takes you through beautiful rainforest. You have the option of an extra 2km return walk to Warringa Pool where you can go for a swim.
Location – Purling Brook Falls are in theSpringbrook Plateau section of Springbrook National Park.
Where to Park – Park at the Gwongorella Picnic Area or you can walk to the picnic area from the nearby Settlement Campground if you are staying there.
Getting to Purling Brook Falls – There is 4km, 2 hour moderate circuit walk to get to the base of Purling Brook Falls. Add 1 hour and 2km if you go onto Warringa Pool – see below.
You can also get a slightly interrupted view of the falls from two lookouts near the picnic area. The West Lookout has a slightly better view than the East Lookout.
How hard is the Purling Brook Falls walk? The Purling Brook Falls Walk is moderately difficult. We did the walk in a clockwise direction. Going down is fine, there are some steps. Going back up gets you puffing, there seem to be more steps, and some are quite deep.
Can you swim at Purling Brook Falls – no but you can swim at nearby Warringa Pool.
Our highlights from Purling Brook Falls – Everything about Purling Brook Falls is fun – the rainforest walk, hearing the falls get louder as you approach them and the spray at the bottom. The view from the suspension bridge is great too and we recommend the extra walk to Warringa Pool for a swim.
Read More : Purling Brook Falls Visitor Guide
Warringa Pool
Some lists describe Warringa Pool as a waterfall but that is a bit of a stretch. What you really have is the Kuralboo Creek spilling over a couple of drops maybe 2m high. That said, it is still a beautiful place and a magic spot to go for a swim before finishing the Purling Brook Fall Circuit. We spent a good hour here on our own. A lot of walkers don’t do the extra 2 km to Warringa Pool and back.
Getting to Warringa Pool – this is an extension of the Purling Brook Falls circuit walk – see above.
Length and difficulty – From the Gwongorella Picnic ground it is a 6km, 3 hour walk. The walk to Warringa Pool from the base of Purling Brook Falls is 1km each way along a slightly uneven dirt track.
Can you swim at Warringa Pool – Yes there are a few swimming holes at Warringa Pool and they are a great place to cool off before finishing the Purling Brook Falls Circuit.
Twin Falls
Twin Falls are one of the most popular swimming spots in Springbrook National Park and with good reason. There is a big pool at the base of the two streams that fall 30 metres down the mossy rock face. The walk down takes you behind the falls too which is good fun. You get there on a return or circuit walk. The circuit walk takes you behind another great set of Falls – Blackfellow Falls.
Location – Twin Falls are in theSpringbrook Plateau section of Springbrook National Park.
Where to Park – The closest carpark to Twin Falls is Tallanbana Picnic Area Carpark. You can also access Twin Falls from Canyon Lookout Carpark. The Tallanbana Carpark is busy on weekends and in the holidays.
Getting to Twin Falls – You can either do a circuit or return walk to Twin Falls. If you just want to go to Twin Falls for a look or swim, park at the Tallanbana Carpark and it is a 2.5km return walk to Twin Falls. Add about 400m if you go from the Canyon Lookout Carpark. The circuit walk which includes Blackfellow Falls is a 4km, 2 hour walk.
How hard is the Twin Falls walk? The Twin Falls walk, whether you do the return walk or circuit is moderately difficult. Going down is easy and spectacular but there is always the walk back up to contend with. The walk up to the Tallanbana Carpark is well formed and has few steps. There are a few steps and some long switchbacks if you do the circuit walk.
Can you swim at Twin Falls – You can swim at Twin Falls, in fact, this is a very popular swimming spot.
Our highlights from Twin Falls – The falls and swimming area were lovely – but very busy when we visited so avoid weekends and school holidays if you want it less crowded. The walk to the falls from the Tannibana Carpark is fun. Besides the rainforest, the path takes you between some huge boulders which are spectacular.
Blackfellow Falls
Blackfellow Falls are part of the Twin Falls Circuit mentioned above but they are a really nice set of waterfalls in their own right. The best thing about Blackfellow falls is that to get from one side of the falls to the other you have to walk behind them which is a lot of fun!
Location – Blackfellow Falls are in the Springbrook Plateau section of Springbrook National Park.
Where to Park – The closest carpark is the Canyon Lookout Carpark, but you can also park at Tannibana Carpark which is about 400m further away. It won’t matter where you park if you are doing the circuit walk between Blackfellow and Twin Falls.
Getting to Blackfellow Falls – From the Canyon Lookout it is a 2.5km return walk to Blackfellow Falls. The other option is doing the 4km circuit walk that also includes Twin Falls.
How hard is the Blackfellow Falls walk? There are a few steps going up and down to the falls, but you are mostly walking along series of switchbacks. The gradient is not too severe.
Can you swim at Blackfellow Falls – No but you can stick your head under the falls as you walk behind them.
Our highlights from Blackfellow Falls – There are plenty of rocks where you can sit and relax and enjoy the views at Blackfellow Falls which we did at the end of both the Twin Falls and Warrie Circuit walks. And the view from the back of the falls looking past the water is awesome.
Natural Bridge
The unique part of Natural Bridge is that the falls drop through the roof of a cave. You get a great view of the falls from both above the cave and down in the cave which makes for a great experience. Adding to the magic is the chance to see some glow worms at the base of the falls.
Location – The Natural Bridge Section is in a different part of Spring Brook National Park. It is about 30 minutes from Purling Brook and Twin Falls. You can get between the two sections via Pine Creek Road.
Where to Park – Follow the signs to the Natural Bridge Circuit and you will arrive at a large carpark.
Getting to Natural Bridge – From the carpark, there is a short walk on a sealed path to the falls. It is a pretty walk. If you get to the falls early, keep an eye out for little pademelons amongst the hoop pines.
How hard is the Natural Bridge walk? There is a 1km loop circuit around Natural Bridge that takes you from the top to the bottom of the falls and back up again. There are quite a few steps along the way which are easier to negotiate if you go around in a clockwise direction. There are several vantage points of the falls along the way.
Can you swim at Natural Bridge Falls? – There is no swimming at Natural Bridge.
Our highlights from Natural Bridge – We arrived early in the day at Natural Bridge and almost had the place to ourselves. The sight of the falls dropping through the roof is magical and quite different to other waterfalls at Springbrook National Park. If you come at night, you can see glow worms in the cave at the base of the falls.
For an easier, daytime glow worm experience, check out the glow worm cave at nearby Tamborine Mountain.
- Natural Bridge & Mt Tamborine Adventure Tour – Visit Natural Bridge, Glow Worm Caves, Gallery Walk & Skywalk
- Springbrook, Natural Arch & Numinbah Valley – Start the day with a Hot Air Balloon ride & Champagne Breakfast followed by a guided rainforest & waterfall guided walk
- Glow Worm Evening Eco Adventure from the Gold Coast followed by stargazing at the Springbrook Research Observatory
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls, and Goomoolahra Falls listed next, are both part of the Warrie Circuit walk. The nice thing about these falls is that they are at the start of the 14km Warrie Circuit so are quite accessible. Like Blackfellow Falls mentioned above, you also get to walk behind Rainbow Falls which is a fun experience.
Location – Rainbow Falls are at the start of the Warrie Circuit which comes off the track that you take to get to Twin Falls.
Where to Park – Park in the same area you would for Twin Falls. The Tallanbana Carpark is closest, or you can park at Canyon Lookout which adds a few hundred metres to the walk.
Getting to Rainbow Falls– Follow the walking trail to Twin Falls. Not far from Twin Falls you will see markers off to the right for the start of the Warrie Circuit. Rainbow Falls is 200-300 metres along the Warrie Circuit. Return the way you walked in, or continue the Twin Falls walk, or continue to Goomoolahra Falls.
How hard is the Rainbow Falls walk? The hardest part of the walk is back up the track to the carpark. The first part of the Warrie Circuit is easy along a dirt path.
Can you swim at Rainbow Falls? – There is no swimming at Rainbow Falls, but you might get wet as you walk behind the falls.
Our highlights from Rainbow Falls – This is a beautiful spot. Rainbow Falls are not that tall, but the water mists as it drops and if it is sunny, you will see why Rainbow Falls gets its name. Even though it was cloudy when we visited, the forest setting, the fine spray and the view from behind the falls was hard to forget.
Goomoolahra Falls (Bilbrough Falls)
You can see the top of the 60m high Goomoolahra Falls from the Goomoolahra Picnic area which is a bit further on from the Twin Falls carpark. The view is pretty good from the top, but it is even better from halfway down which you can see near the start of the Warrie Circuit.
Location – Goomoolahra Falls are about 1km into the Warrie Circuit which comes off the track that you take to Twin Falls. You can see the top of the falls from a lookout at the Goomoolahra Picnic Ground.
Where to Park – Park in the same area you would for Twin Falls. The Tallanbana Carpark is closest, or you can park at Canyon Lookout which adds a few hundred metres to the walk.
Getting to Goomoolahra Falls– Follow the walking trail to Twin Falls. Not far from Twin Falls you will see markers off to the right for the start of the Warrie Circuit. First you will come to Rainbow Falls – see above – and Goomoolahra Falls are 5 – 10 minutes further on. You can return the way you walked in or continue along the Twin Falls circuit walk. Or, if you have the time and energy, do the 14km Warrie Circuit – it is a great walk.
How hard is the Goomoolahra Falls walk? The hardest part of the walk is back up the track to the carpark. The first part of the Warrie Circuit is easy along a dirt path.
Can you swim at Goomoolahra Falls? – There is no swimming at Goomoolahra Falls.
Our highlights from Goomoolahra Falls – Along the Warrie Circuit you come to a cement bridge that crosses the falls and the views from the bridge are stunning. You can see both up to the top of the falls and down to the bottom. The falls seemed to be coming from the clouds on the misty morning we did the Warrie Circuit walk. We didn’t want to leave here, the view was that good!
Cougal Cascades
There is a small waterfall at Cougal Cascade. The water sliding down the rocks to the pool at the base is beautiful. But the falls are just part of a bigger, beautiful picture. The forest walk is lovely and there are several swimming spots fed by smaller falls. The old sawmill at the end of the path is interesting too.
Location – Cougal Cascade is in the Mount Cougal Section of Springbrook National Park. It is near Currumbin. Follow the winding Currumbin Creek Road to Cougal Cascade.
Where to Park – There is a sealed carpark at the end of Currumbin Valley Road. If it is busy, and that can happen on weekends and in the holidays, you can also park along the road near the carpark entrance.
Getting to Cougal Cascade– There is an undulating sealed track from the carpark to the falls section of Cougal Cascade. The falls are about 500m along the path and there is a viewing platform.
How hard is the Cougal Cascade walk? The sealed track makes the walk easy, there are few short, small hills along the way.
Can you swim at Cougal Cascade? – You can swim at many of the rock pools at Cougal Cascades. There is a pool at the base of the falls, but it is not the easiest to get to. There are plenty of other swimming spots beyond the main falls.
Our highlights from Cougal Cascade– The small falls at Cougal Cascades are just one part of a lovely spot. The walk through the forest to the sawmill is great, keep an ear out for whip birds in the morning. There are several swimming spots. Even when it is busy, there is so much room it doesn’t feel too crowded.
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