Purling Brook Falls Circuit

GPS Tracks

Purlingbrook Falls (KML)

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

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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/

GPS Tracks

Purlingbrook Falls (KML)

Comments

Great walk! Did it with our 10 month old in the baby carrier.
Mumdadbaby on 31 Dec, 2020

The falls looked amazing after all the recent rains. Very busy as you would imagine at the moment but well worth it, just get there early to beat the crowds on the weekend.
Chewie on 27 Dec, 2020

Good fairly easy walk did clockwise
Kmxfitness on 26 Dec, 2020

Just a lovely walk, we did it with a very slow 84 year old, she loved it had a great time.
RosieG on 12 Dec, 2020

This is a beautiful walk. Very easy and manageable. We also walked to the Warringa Pool for a refreshing dip. This made the trip a bit longer (2 easy Ks) but well worth it. It’s very dry at the moment. Water levels are low so the waterfalls have much less water in them than usual. Would love to go back again when we get rain. Purling Brook Falls were beautiful regardless - a spectacular drop and gorge.
Caroline on 6 Dec, 2020

It’s a 4K round loop, simple, walk down the ridge to the falls then walk back, toilets by the car park. Not to difficult , they say start clockwise to avoid steps coming back. It’s a well worn track, signed and hand railings part of the way.I went on a Thursday about 10.30 am, it was raining but the carpark was pretty full, weekends would be packed, always take your trash back. No dogs allowed.
miike2000 on 23 Oct, 2020

A nice walk all along. It's worth pushing a bit down to the water holes. There is a sign no one reads asking to refrain from swimming under the fall in the first water holes impacting to the local flore & fauna and by respect to the indigenes, but no one seems to care!
Sadly, instead I saw people sitting on the sign to get a picture of themselves with this nice backdrop.
matthias levy on 18 Oct, 2020

Walked this with my wife and 2 daughters (6yr and 9yr). The steps were a little high/steep for my youngest but she scrambled like a seasoned professional. Thankfully we packed ponchos and raincoats, as when we got to the pools an old fashioned QLD storm rolled in and we hiked back up in the clouds. Beautiful views throughout the entire walk. Great for families but might be best for the older kids (especially during a storm). Had to carry my youngest the last kilometre.
Six on 17 Oct, 2020

A good walk, with some great views
Dino on 2 Oct, 2020

Pretty walk, but PACKED. Rarely got enough of a gap between people for it to be really quiet. And everyone went swimming under the falls, where all the signs say not to swim. Might have to go back in autumn on a weekday.
Tammy H on 27 Sep, 2020

Beautiful waterfall and easy walk
Jade on 20 Sep, 2020

I love this walk as it is close to the Gold Coast, very scenic and very enjoyable. I have done this walk a few time already and never get tired of it.
Brian on 4 Sep, 2020

Great cardio workout, but not difficult if you are half-fit, or as my friend used to say - "f". Go anti clockwise, like the sign says. Don't take a stroller, like the people I passed. 2 hrs would be a nice pace.
Michael Foxall on Sep, 2020

Great walk, achievable with kids
Sofia on Sep, 2020

The lovely easy walk to the bottom of the gorge where you see the lovely Purlingbrook Falls. You can swim there. Can get crowded so best to go early.
skippyedo on 23 Aug, 2020

We started the walk at about 10.45 am. There were lot of people. Making everyone aware - when going for walks/ hikes please make sure that you are not kicking or throwing rocks. My wife got hit by a rock which we believe was either thrown by someone above or accidentally kicked. Either way it is safer to take care. She got 9 staples for almost an inch long injury. It could have been worse. Also a good idea is to wear soft caps/hats. I think this will be mandatory for us now.
We had to return after this incident and could not complete the walk.
Anant Relekar on 14 Aug, 2020

Nice little circuit easy enough for most.
Tony Capitano on 9 Aug, 2020

Fun scenic walk. Very clearly marked and not too difficult. Saw some people take a dip at the bottom of the falls.
sbrn3 on 4 Jul, 2020

Beautiful walk. A local gave us a tip about the track that continues past the rockpools which we followed for a while according to his directions then doubled back (was lovely and absolutely empty of people). The swimming pool was glorious, I wish I had brought my togs.
EmilyN on Jul, 2020

Stunning hike. Great to do it during the week when there were less people around. Had morning tea at the rockpool which was really nice. Track including the rockpool ended up being 8.1kms. Easy walking and carried a 7 month old on my back.
Leith on 22 Jun, 2020

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Medium

4km return

2hrs

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