Purling Brook Falls Circuit

Springbrook National Park

Together with Twin Falls Circuit, one of the must do's in this Park. Viewpoints, waterfalls, swimming holes, wildlife, name it, it is there! Optionally add an extra 2km to reach the lower Warringa pool. Follow path clockwise to avoid walking up 450 steps!

Waterfalls
Lookouts
Swimming
Bird Watching
Heritage Sites
Picnic Facilities
BBQ
Toilets
Wheelchair Accessibility
Navigation Required
No Dogs Permitted
Camping Permitted
Coastal
Rainforest
Eucalypt Forest

Maps

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/springbrook/pdf/springbrook-map-insets.pdf

Topographic maps can be generated using QTOPO: http://qtopo.dnrm.qld.gov.au/Mobile/

Getting There/Parking

There are 2 different car parks that you can use to access this track.

     1. Main Car Park: at the end of Forestry Rd, Springbrook QLD 4213

     2. The Settlement Day Use Area: 35 Carricks Rd, Springbrook QLD 4213

The main car park can fill up quite quickly especially on the weekend. If so just go to "The Settlement Day Use Area" instead of annoying residents by parking up the street and their driveways. Both these locations have similar facilities (toilets, picnic benches). Differences: The settlement day use area is closer to the Purling Brook lookout, has a huge grass area, while the main car park is within the rainforest/more developed.

Route/Trail notes

The walk is well signposted, easy to follow and can be done in either direction, although it is recommended that you follow the track in a clockwise direction so that you walk down the 450 steps and back up via a much gentler gradient. There is one junction where the Warringa Pool track splits at the base of Purling Brook Falls.

Be sure to keep out of the prohibited access areas along the creek at the top of the falls and the old track that used to pass behind the falls.

The track is closed in times of heavy rain or fire danger. Large gates prevent access - do not bypass these when they are closed. Check the NPWS website before you go to check if the track is currently closed: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/springbrook/

If you plan on swimming they request you don't swim at the base of the falls and instead follow the track down to Warringa Pool. This is to limit impact on the wildlife in the pool at the base of the falls.

Permits/Costs

There is no cost or permits required for doing this walk.

Other References

A separate Aussie Buswalking page for Warringa Pool Track has been made for people to tick.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/springbrook/

Comments

Lovely day, super clear skies and just after the rain so the waterfalls were in full flow. Had a swim down at the pools

Harry Lamb on 23 Oct, 2021

Beautiful peaceful early morning walk. Well signposted track.

ian parker on 17 Oct, 2021

Beautiful

Gabby on 18 Sep, 2021

Great day out

Tess on 18 Sep, 2021

This walk is on Yugambeh Country. This is a gorgeous and really achievable walk - I would say suitable for most. It took me just over an hour at a reasonably steady pace with some stopping to take photos. The walk is well marked, with a tidy pathway, some gorgeous views, and of course the falls are stunning once you’re at the bottom. Not to steep or too much ascending/heart stopping required. A nice one to knock over before a day at the beach etc.

Babs on 21 Aug, 2021

AMAZING waterfalls and views! Just amazing! Really beautiful. Popular spot, so I’d recommend going early. Did this one after doing Twin Falls so found the walk back up exhausting but otherwise it would have been the same difficulty as Twin Falls. Meaning not too difficult. Just enough to be interesting. Lots of stairs down and then gradual walk back up.

Jade on 2 May, 2021

We went after a lot of recent rain and the waterfall was beautiful spraying water as far as the eye can see, with a cold swim at waringa pool, would recommend doing this after major rain and don’t bring fancy camera equipment that would be destroyed by mist because there is a lot of it. Highly recommend this walk

Polarbear88 on 11 Apr, 2021

The two waterfalls are amazing . Good to see the rainbow.

Penny on 11 Apr, 2021

WOW. The rain has done wonders to the falls and truly looks spectacular at the moment. Just look at some of the older photos on here and you'll see just how much the drought had an affect on the amount of water pouring down. I did the extra bit to Warringa Pool and the cascades along the river also deserve some attention too, although they are a bit belittled after seeing the waterfall.

Maverick on 10 Apr, 2021

The falls were flowing like crazy, didnt get any leeches, not too muddy at all.

Forbsey on 4 Apr, 2021

Beautiful hike loved it

TrinaAtley on 6 Mar, 2021

Waterfalls were flowing really well. Went for a swim at Warringal rock pools, the water was freezing. There are a lot of stairs but the hike is overall very easy. The trail is very well signed and easy to follow.

Frenzy Adventures on 10 Feb, 2021

Great walk! Views of the falls were amazing! Only thing was that we didn't bring our raincoats and it got very wet. Picked up some leeches along the way. Overall highly recommend the walk.

Jenni.H on 25 Jan, 2021

Absolutely stunning walk & lovely swim at the Warringal Pool, recommend!!

Jenny Duckworth on 24 Jan, 2021

Gorgeous easy walk. I can jog most of it on solo missions, can complete the track in under an hour with lots of time for photos. Two waterfalls to admire if there's been rainfall... I usually go right after some rain for some heavier water falls. Easy to take children to do if you choose. My kids loved it.

Nicole Howarth on 19 Jan, 2021

A nice short walk amongst luscious rainforest.

Hayley Nicholson on 17 Jan, 2021

Great walk
9km for circuit and Waringa Pool extension. Today the track was muddy - walking sticks were really useful!
We arrived early and encountered a few people but by the time we left (2.5 hours) it was very very busy

The Waringa pool track is not signposted but the map makes it clear when to veer off the circuit. Take a left before you go down to the falls on the circuit path.

Otherwise it is well signposted.

Really doable walk. Heavily canopied so lots of sun protection.

Tania Waring on 17 Jan, 2021

We did this walk yesterday with 6 kids in tow. The youngest being 3 who I carried most of the walk.
The waterfall is beautiful and worth the walk, it was really flowing after the rain we’ve had.
We did about 9km return, down to Warringa Pool and back to the top. Pool was cold but a great dip.
We got rained on so very muddy trek back to the top.
Take snacks and water and definitely insect repellent before you start your walk.
I probably wouldn’t do this full walk again with the kids, it was a lot for them and they said they don’t want to go again.

Annie on 2 Jan, 2021

It was an amazing walk, its an easy walk; I was with a large group; many had not much experience in the bush. They loved it. The waterfall is brilliant after rain, standing on the rocks near the base, I was saturated from the spray. Very exhilarating.

RosieG on 1 Jan, 2021

Awesome waterfall perfect for begginers

Trent Harrison on 2021

Where

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