If you’re looking for a great weekend adventure, look no further. Springbrook National Park is an great day trip from Brisbane, and you can easily fill a day (or more!) exploring this little pocket of the Gold Coast hinterland. Here are a few of the highlights…
Pages Pinnacle
This is a fantastic hike on the way out to Springbrook. Perched right on the edge of Hinze Dam just over an hour south of Brisbane, this 6km(ish) return hike give you epic views across the valley and the dam.
The walk itself is mostly on a fire trail which makes for a fairly easy ascent. BUT if you’re scared of heights, it’s worth mentioning that there is a little scramble across a ridge to make it to the viewpoint. It’s not too challenging and there’s plenty of foothold, but take it slow if you’re not used to scrambling.
Note: The MapsMe app will help keep you on the trail (allow 2 – 3hours return).
Purling Brook Falls
Easily accessible and REALLY popular, these falls are a great stop in Springbrook National Park. You can see the falls from two viewpoints (east and west) which are only a few hundred meters from the carpark, or do the 4km loop track that takes you to the bottom of the falls (worth it, especially when they are really flowing). There’s plenty of parking, lots of cafes and a few picnic areas in the small village at the top of the falls.
Note: It’s best to go after there’s been a lot of rain and the falls are pumping!
Twin Falls Circuit
This 4km loop track starts from the Tallanbana Picnic Area and is an awesome short hike for most levels of fitness. There’s a bunch of cool rock formations, a couple of waterfalls you can walk behind and you’re surrounded by beautiful rainforest most of the way. The twin falls are super cool – especially if there’s been a bit of rain. Allow 1.5hrs to do the loop.
Best of All Lookout
Further down the road from the Twin Falls, but worth the extra drive, is the Best of All Lookout. As the name suggests, it’s a lookout, but it’s a pretty impressive one. Sitting right on the QLD/NSW border, it’s got epic views across the ridges of Springbrook National Park. It’s easily accessible and only a couple of hundred meters from the carpark.
Natural Bridge
You’ll have to backtrack a bit to reach this section of the National Park, but it’ll be worth the drive. The Natural Bridge is just that – a natural rock formation that creates a bridge over a waterfall. Especially impressive after some rain, this is a really great to explore in summer. It’s a short walk (1km return) from the carpark to the bridge.
Note: In the warmer, wetter months (December to March), you can usually see glow worms in the caves in this section of Springbrook national park.
Caffeine and calories
If all the hiking has you low on energy, fear not – there’s plenty of great places to grab a bite and a coffee. The tiny village near Purling Brook Falls has a few great cafes (honourable mention to the Lost Fawn and their scones – for just $6 you get two big scones with all the extras). Also, no trip to this part of the world is complete without stocking up on fudge from The Fudge Shop.
Looking for more epic day trips near Brisbane? I’ve got you covered!