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National Parks usually can surprise me. Being in Australia, I also headed towards them. Today I invite you to the text about the place near Brisbane – Springbrook National Park.
This park is in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
Location and access
The park is located about 100 km from Brisbane and about 50 km from Gold Coast. We visited it by car and on foot, and I recommend this form of communication for You. Before leaving, check the condition of the roads – in our case, because of falling rocks, one of the main roads was closed, which gave us additional 50 km of the detour. Thanks to that we visited the Hinze Dam. Gold Coast is a good base, and from many viewpoints and terraces we can see skyscrapers located close to the ocean. On the way, you will find small towns and sometimes also self-service breeders’ stands. There are stalls or carts provided with fruits and vegetables, a weight and a “piggy bank”. We choose what we want, weigh, deposit and we are satisfied. We found the avocado and the second with bananas, pumpkins, melons and watermelons.
Why is worth to visit?
Waterfalls
It’s something that has made the most impression on me. We saw a lot of them, but Puring Brook Fall was the most interesting. To get to it, there is a 6 km walk (3 in each direction). We go down quite sharply and then we will have to go uphill. The waterfall is 109 meters high and the walk starts at its top. We finish at the waterfall bottom. A beautiful view, but it’s easy to get wet. Water falling from such a height creates a mist that soaks everything. On the way to it, we pass smaller but also charming waterfalls. We can also admire the waterfall during a visit to Natural Bridge, but about it in a moment.
The rainforest
I have never had the opportunity to be in a rainforest before and it is an interesting experience. There is no rain;). It is hot, but a lot of shade. Going down the rainforest from the mountains into the valley, we can observe how its structure changes. There are eucalyptuses in one place and palm trees in other places. Similarly with ferns or parasitic plants growing in the treetops. Along the way various species of fungi and lizards. We met iguanas and some species of scots. They were several inches tall and proudly presenting on the stones. Going to the rainforest, remember to get some water. During our Australian adventure, we noticed that there is one thing that looks completely opposite to us. In Poland, visiting the mountains, leaving the car in the valley and going to the top, and in Australia in many places, you go upstairs and go down to visit :)
Natural Bridge
This was the last point of our trip to Springbrook National Park. After reaching the car park located near the natural bridge, we are about a kilometre away. During our visit, part of the route was under renovation so we had to go and go back the same path (normally we do a circle and go back to the same place). For the same reason (renovation), the cave with glowing worms was also closed. We visited them a few days later in the Tamborine National Park. The natural bridge itself is impressive. The waterfall is falling into the hole and disappears. We see him only going down to the very bottom of the valley. We can also go under the bridge, but if you do not like bats then be prepared to meet them. They do nothing but carelessly fly between your heads.
Hinze Dam
We got to this place mainly because the route we planned to drive was closed due to landslides. The dam was created on the Nerang River and its a drinking water reservoir for the Gold Coast region. A walk along the dam is pleasant, and next to it there is a building where you can drink coffee and watch a short exhibition about the dam and the area.
Landscapes
The Springbrook National Park is also amazing views. Canyons, waterfalls, rocks, mountains, but also appearing in the distance, skyscrapers from the Gold Coast are impressive. If you pass the signpost pointing to some “Lookout” on the way, then go ahead and boldly!
If the text arguments do not convince you, I invite you to the pictures! :)
