Bushrangers Cave

GPS Tracks

Bushranger Cave Track (GPX)

An off-track walk from the border gate to Bushrangers Caves, which used to be an aboriginal camp. The adventurous can head on up Mt Wagawn to join up with the main Lamington track system.

Bird Watching

Rainforest

700m

Maximum Elevation

250m

Total Climb

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Getting there

Park at the border gates (NSW/QLD) on the Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd (under the tree on the Qld side is good). At the border, facing NSW, you'll see a two driveways in front of you slightly to the right.

Route/Trail notes

Walk up the left drive just past the mailbox 2463, and veer right towards the fence line, there are a couple of signs along the way to keep you going in the right direction. Keep going until you see a brown wooden fence. Hop the fence and follow the path through the long grass. Or walk up the right drive and you will come to a big sign that points you in the right direction after about 200m. There is a provision to move over the fence line. From this point, the track is pretty self-explanatory. Once it starts getting a bit overgrown, you'll have to climb under the barbwire fence to continue following it up the hill. You'll be walking in between two fences or along a fence line. Follow this fence all the way to the end where you'll be greeted with the final barbwire and a national park sign indicating the start of Springbrook National Park. This is also the start of the caves. Have a look around, the caves get better as you walk further along. Once finished exploring the caves, trek back the same way down or if you are up for it, extend the track to the top of Mt Wagawn by following a marked (old tape) route, it's steep but fun.

Other Notes:

Mt Wagawn Link:

https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/qld/lamington/mt-wagawn

GPS Tracks

Bushranger Cave Track (GPX)

Comments

A very good and not exhausting walk. The caves are definitely worth visiting, but get properly clothed, no shorts and thongs. In the beginning the major part of the walk is going through the tall grass, you will see the trail then is turning towards nsw side. follow this, you will pass the barrel with the "POISON" signage. And after that the bush starts. at certain point the trail will be coming close to the NSW fence and you may see a pink ribbon on the nsw side. hop the fence, and keep going on the nsw side trail and you will get to the caves eventually.
ovel on 16 Jul, 2023

Great Walk as the caves are well worth the walk. Here are a couple of hints:
Walk up the NSW side of the border fence until you see a brown wooden fence in the gate. Jump the gate and follow the clear path through the long grass ( no man's land between NSW & QLD ). It goes all the way up the hill to a 90 degree turn. Keep going further until the track runs into some scrubby bush. Hop the fence back to the NSW side and this path will take you all the way up to the start of the caves.
Wear good boots and long pants for the grass.
If you are a helpful hiker wear some gardening gloves and help keep the path clear as there is some lantana.
Graham D on 21 Jun, 2023

Overgrown, couldn't make it passed 3/4 of the way up. Also worrying walking so close to the barb wire fence much of the way. Has nice country views along the way, however, I wouldn't recommend this walk
rob.bushman on 30 Sep, 2022

Well trodden path. Looks like someone went through with a brush cutter. Pleasant views on the way up/ down.
Wanderlust on 16 Aug, 2022

We did this walk spontaneously while we were out around Springbrook and were wearing shorts which was a silly decision. Definitely recommend proper hiking boots and thick pants as the track is very overgrown. We almost made it to the caves when we came across a very angry snake in our path. Tiger and Brown snakes are apparently common here so we decided to turn back. Don’t be silly like us and make sure you’re properly prepared for this walk
Mel on 12 Mar, 2022

The grass at the beginning of the track has either died or been poisoned but is now short.
samkramer on 15 May, 2021

The grass is very tall and the track is very overgrown with all the rain we have had this summer, almost need a machete in some sections.
samkramer on 15 Apr, 2021

Amazed to say the least. Other then the long grass (I'd recommend some long pants), the start of the track is nice and open walking from the bottom of the valley up, having nice view of the surround moutains. A little of bush and then Bam you hit the caves. Took around 5 min to walk along the whole caves/wall.
Maverick on 31 Oct, 2020

Valley is gorgeous and you can admire it the whole way to the top where the overhang/cave is. The walk is quite tight to the barbed wire fence with thick head height long grass on the other side of the narrow path. Watch out for snakes! Plenty of bird life to hear and see too.
The Mountain overhang and 'caves' underneath are really beautiful and worth the trek up but if you're expecting caves that enter under the mountain you will be disappointed. It's more of a large overhang that makes it feel almost cave like but they're not caves. If you get a little confused and lost like we did and head left and down rather than right and up - there are no caves on this side either. It is a beautiful hike and wander and if you're really energetic and have the legs and (sugar packed) for it - you can ascend up the steep back end of the mountain.
BeckNWood on Aug, 2019

Great walk - steep in parts.

At the boarder look to NSW then take the gravel driveway on the right. Go across the grass to the fence line on the right and follow it to the wooden gate where you can pass through the wire. This takes you to an overgrown grassy strip that runs between two fence lines. Stick to the left side fence. After a bit there is a white marker then a metal box. You will eventually have to pass back over the fence so it is on your right again. Just keep walking - there are a couple of white markers but otherwise just follow the fence. Towards the end there is a climb up some rocks - we almost went the wrong way here as the markets are hard to see - there were two red ones on trees but basically you scale the rocks up not down and to the right not left ! You come to the double fence pass through and national parks sigh AND THE SMALL CAVE !!! We kept walking around the escarpment to large overhangs and mini waterfalls :) There is a section that splits around what seems to be a rock fall but we went up this to see an amazing fig and a mini cave on the left that the kids could crawl through to the other side ( with a torch!) Really recommend this walk !! Well worth the effort to climb up
Skye on 14 Jul, 2019

We took our 7 and 9 year olds on this walk today and had an amazing time! The caves are incredible and definitely worth the hike up. Climbing through the small cave was a highlight, make sure you take the time to clamber through (it's hard to miss!)!
We walked along the base of the cliff for approx 200-300m until we reached the end of the caves/overhangs and the track started up towards the summit, then turned around and headed back down.
Certainly not an easy hike for younger kids, although our two managed really well (we go hiking most weekends, so they're used to it). Definitely an adventure! Well recommended!
Sarah on 9 Jun, 2019

Great hike with phenomenal views! The hike runs RIGHT along a barbed wire fence most of the time, so even though its possible to do in the rain, can confirm if you slip, you are slipping right onto the fence. The caves are beautiful too!!
Emmalea on Jun, 2019

Great countryside hike from the NSW/QLD border at Numinbah to the caves, and a challenging climb from there to the summit of Wagawn.
I found the best track was to follow the farmers road (grassy tyre indents) up the hill from the carpark and left from there. Rather than jumping the barbed wire fence early jump it as late as you can to avoid the overgrown start of the trail, it gets much more beaten track after the start.
Angus Small on 25 May, 2019

This ones an easy 2km walk up from the Numinbah border. Drive to the end of Hayters Rd and park there. Take the kids they'll love playing up there. I did this one on my way through to Mt Wagawn
Jesse on 9 May, 2019

As others before me stated, the track is a bit overgrown with long grass at the beginning. Beware of snakes.
The fence needs to be crossed twice, once at a gate and once later up. Easy to follow though. Right a the top veer right.
Up about an hour, down 45min.
Beautiful up there with the little waterfall running for a cool off.
Totally worth it.
Lots of wildlife with goannas, icidnas and other creatures..
Holger on 4 Feb, 2018

Great uphill walk overlooking the farm lands of the Numinbah Valley.

Path was easy to find (following the directions above) but keep in mind you must cross back over the fence twice before reaching the caves. At times the path was overgrown and ticks were found on our clothes (definitely worthwhile wearing long clothing).

We continued past the caves following the newly marked pink ribbons to the summit of Mt Wagawn. The ribbons were easy to follow and clearly marked but there was no track what so ever (until linking to The Border Track), made for a very fun ascent! Very muddy, rocky, wet and slippery at times. But very easy to navigate with the ribbons

Overall trip took 4 hours with plenty of time to take in the beauty of the caves, the views from the ridge line and to stop for lunch. Looking forward to following the track all the way to O'Rileys next time!
Zane Sloan on 19 Nov, 2017

Amazing! What a great, fun hike this is! Not hard to get lost.
There is a huge overgrowth/fallen tree just before the ridgeline.just remember to veer right instead of left. You want the cliff line on your left!!
Although heading left (with cliff on the right) leads to nothing of note, it was a bit of fun going the wrong way for half an hour! Did find a spot of sharp rock slates that would have all the potential for primitive tools!
Will be back again to go all the way to the top.
dalehikes on 30 Apr, 2017