Purlingbrook Falls Circuit
Only nature lovers need apply….
While eating my ‘Best of All Lookout’ toasted sandwich, at the Dancing Waters Cafe, I was contemplating whether to walk the Purlingbrook Falls Circuit.
I hadn’t planned on doing a 4km bush walk and wasn’t really prepared.
But what did I really need, a bottle of water, hat and a good pair of walking shoes, no excuses… I had all that …Purlingbrook Falls here I come.
According to ‘World Heritage Spingbrook Visitors Guide’ this is a Class 3 walk which means:
- Reasonable level of fitness
- Ankle supporting footwear recommended
Purlingbrook Falls Lookout
The Lookout is a short 300 metre walk and the view is beautiful, but the real show is below.
The stream/brook had a steady flow as it disappeared over the edge and viewing it from the lookout it’s a bit obscured;
you can only see the side of the waterfall disappearing down through the tree canopy.
Beneath the lookout, were bushwalkers who had walked the Purlingbrook Falls Circuit and had reach the valley floor, a Cooee once or twice from them indicating the depth of the forest floor below.
Which is the best walking track?
An ‘Information Notice’ above Purlingbrook Falls advices you on the best direction to go. Go left is the advice or you will be hiking up 450 steps back up the bush trail. So I was obedient and went clockwise.
The vista along the bushwalking trail was spectacular, the Gold Coast Hinterland in all it’s glory rich, lush and green, it’s hard to believe that just twenty minutes from the Pacific Motorway is Springbrook plateau.
Every time I drive along the M1 or Gold Coast Highway from now on and see the Gold Coast Hinterland I’ll think of this spot.
Australian Flora
Seeing Gum trees growing over rocky outcrops gripping boulders like giant bonsai plants was testament to the life giving water supply, it was fascinating.
So if you are into Australian flora there is an abundance to investigate here no wonder this location on the northern rim of the Green Cauldron is World Heritage.
I must say I didn’t notice that there were 450 steps down to the falls, if someone were to ask me I probably would say there might be 50 steps.
Undoubtedly this was because I was so captivated by the landscape, towering Palm trees rising from the valley floor including an area of steer cliff face that appeared out of no where ….that was just incredible.
Continuing down to Purlingbrook Falls the vegetation started to become denser, tropical and in the distance I could hear the faint sound of water.
And then the first glimpse of Purlingbrook Falls, like something out of Jurassic Park a prehistoric land.
Humid damp and palm trees rising up from the edges of the black cliffs, it was incredible!
I had no idea how beautiful these falls were I have been to the lookout above but never walked the Purlingbrook Falls 4km circuit.
You must do it!
I can only imagine what it would be like if there were heavy rains.
Take care walking around the falls
Be careful walking around the falls, there is a guard rail but the closer you get to the back of the falls the wetter it gets. A word of caution keep an eye on the falls, if the wind changes direction or there is a sudden gust of wind you could find yourself drenched. I don’t mean a nice mist or sprinkle to cool you off either.
It was only sheer luck and not good management that I moved when I did, I was concerned more about my cameras getting wet.
Well the breeze came up and a section of the fall landed directly on the path where I had been standing only moments before taking video, it would have knocked me over and I’m sure there would have been a good chance that my cameras would have disappeared over the edge into the huge rock pool below.
So take care around the back of the falls…
This is a great bushwalking track in the Gold Coast Hinterland, one everyone should put on their list of things to do on the Gold Coast.
There are lots of walking tracks and lookouts in Springbrook, so make a day of it bring your lunch or enjoy a meal at one of the many cafes on the mountain.
Some of the activities are: Check out the map pdf
- Goomoolahra Lookout/picnic area including a short walking trail
- Tallanbana Picnic Area and lookout and walking trails, Canyon Lookout 500 metres
- Warrie Circuit 17 km
- Twin Falls Circuit 4Km
- Canyon Lookout
- Best of All Lookout
- Gwongorella Picnic Area
- Hardys Lookout
Access is easy to Springbrook World Heritage National Park, only around 25 minutes off the M1 Motorway exit 80 (scenic route 99)
See you on my next walk…
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