- Duration
- 1 day, ~130 km, winding roads (≈ 4 h 38 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- With kids
- Transport
- drive
- Start
- Purling Brook Falls (lookout or 4 km circuit)
- Finish
- Natural Bridge: cave waterfall, glow-worms after dark
- Pace
- moderate pace
- Best time
- Start after midday so you reach the glow-worm cave at dusk
- Budget per adult
- Free: it's a national park; pack snacks, cafes up top are fewPrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
Go by car. The Springbrook plateau is above the city.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. Purling Brook Falls (lookout or 4 km circuit)~1 h 15 min at the stop
The stream plunges off a basalt rim into a green bowl; the lookout is minutes from the car park, and the 4 km circuit passes behind the falls.
Tip: With younger kids stick to the lookouts: the circuit has steep stairs.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 8 min · 4.5 km
2. Canyon Lookout~15 min at the stop
A balcony over the green canyon: several waterfalls in one frame, with the coast beyond.
Tip: A quick stop: 10–15 minutes is plenty; the light is best late in the day.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 10 min · 4 km
3. Best of All Lookout: ancient beech~40 min at the stop
A short track (about 600 m return) through relict Antarctic beech. Gondwanan survivors, to the rim of an ancient volcanic caldera.
Tip: It's noticeably cooler up here than on the coast. Bring layers for the kids.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 40 min · 29 km
4. Natural Bridge: cave waterfall, glow-worms after dark~1 h 30 min at the stop
A one-kilometre loop to the rock arch where Cave Creek drops through a cave roof. After dark the ceiling lights up with one of Australia's largest glow-worm colonies.
Tip: No torches or flash in the cave. The glow-worms switch off. After heavy rain parts of the track may close. Check park alerts.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.