The little creek known as Purling Brook in Springwood, peacefully winds its way under roads and over rocks before finding itself in a terrifying 100m drop off the mountain, into the valley below.
Just 100m into this 4km return walk, there’s a lookout perched on the edge of the mountain, with views of this colossal waterfall and the valley around it. From here you might want to send down a ‘coo-ee’ greeting to any hikers already at the base of the falls.
Before long, the path crosses over the top of the lessor known Tanninaba Falls with sheer cliffs to your right, zigzags down into the gorge via 450 steps and squeezes between giant boulders before arriving at the base of Purling Brook Falls. The surrounding rainforest is peppered with cycads, buttress roots, epiphytes and piccabeen palms.
From the bottom of Purling Brook Falls, a simple look up at the cliff and the top of the waterfall can make you lose your balance. The track immediately to your left, is an additional 1km walk to the beautiful Warringa Pool. On a hot day, taking the path to the right and standing behind the waterfall, catching an occasional spray of water blown your way, is a welcome delight and a great way to cool off before heading back up the mountain. There’s also a bench seat down here if you’d like to stop and have a picnic.
Purling Brook Falls and Warringa Pool rainforest walk is definitely one of the Gold Coast’s Hidden Gems!
Facts & Figures
- 4km return walk with 900 steps
- additional Warringa Pool track, add 2km to the Purling Brook Falls walk
- photographic spot
- car parking available
- waterfall
- lookout
- picnic area
- barbeque
- public toilet
Address
Forestry Rd, Springbrook, QLD 4213
It only takes 30 minutes to get here from the M1 if you take route 99.
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