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

3.5/5 stars, 1.75hrs return at relaxed pace. Going clockwise (go to the left at the start of the trail) is definitely better as the trail in the clockwise direction goes down a few stairs to reach the base of the waterfall, whereas the anti-clockwise direction is more of just gradual slope elevation changes so it’s nicer on your knees to go clockwise. Both directions start off near the head of the falls, and go down towards the base. Clockwise, the path hugs the cliff edge with a view over the rainforest (can see all the way to the beach in the distance at some points) for a while before starting to drop in elevation down stairs. Once you start heading down the stairs, the atmosphere has very nice rainforest vibes with a well defined path. The temperature here is quite cool and shady as the path is shielded from wind by the trees on one side and the cliff on the other. You can cross over the creek to get closer to the falls, but the spray from the water can make a few rocks a bit slippery. The path around and behind the falls has been closed - too slippery/dangerous for the general public. A suspension bridge will lead you back on the trail to head back to the carpark. In this second half of the trail heading back up, the scenery is not as appealing, with more lantana and other common bush, but at least it’s a bit easier cardio-wise as well as distance-wise it's slightly shorter. This second half also passes by the head of the falls before it drops off the cliff. Would definitely recommend going after there’s been a lot of rain otherwise the falls aren’t as impressive, as well as on an overcast day for softer lighting if you want photos. I've done this hike 1 time.

Sam on 22 Jun, 2020

왼쪽으로 가자.
바닥까지 내려가서 다시 올라오는
그닥 어렵진 않은 2시간 코스

paris on 20 Jun, 2020

Drizzling rain and late arvo sun peaking through the clouds gave us this time a perfect atmoshere.

Wanderlust on 19 Jun, 2020

Nicest walk I've done so far and not many people either on weekday afternoon. I did the whole walk including Warringa Pool in 2 hrs, although I was walking pretty fast as I arrived late and it got dark.

Clem on 17 Jun, 2020

With Tracey Harbourne & Karen Palin

Kimmi on 4 Jun, 2020

Nice walk the is easy going that most people can do. Good walk to pack some food and chill at Warringa pool and swim. Very full and fresh right now

Adam on 9 Feb, 2020

Absolutely beautiful. Did it with 3 kids in just over 4 hours stopping about 4 times and getting caught in the rain.

We stupidly walked back up the way we came down *the stairs.* which took a bit longer.

Sandra on Feb, 2020

One of my favs

SharnaR on 22 Jan, 2020

8.1 km all up - walked from the camp ground to begin this walk (camped overnight). Lovely walk however, my highlight were the birds coming down to drink from the creek at the end - if you are a birder spend some waiting time there.

Anoogle on 10 Jan, 2020

Started at the Settlement Camp Ground and walked across the very green paddock to the parking area and information hut at the Gwongorella picnic area. There is good signage all the way to Purling Brook circuit. We walked clockwise, stopping at the lookouts and onto Warringa Pool. Still plenty of water for a swim but just trickles coming over Purling Brook Falls. A beautiful location to see some wildlife - lace monitors, big black shiny lizards (land mullets), plenty of birdlife as well. A total of 8.1km return to the campground in 3hrs at an extremely leisurely pace spotting wildlife.

S K on 9 Jan, 2020

Cant remember the exact date

Adrian Harvison on 12 Dec, 2019

It was fun to do this with my wife.. easy walk going clockwise on the track. Thick flora most of the track. Relaxing sounds of birds the whole way through. Waterfalls was amazing. Steady ascent back to the top. Minimum to low fitness requirement. Would not be our last, for sure.

Francis.thebarber on 20 Oct, 2019

So high I got vertigo looking up. Worth it.

Sames on 10 Aug, 2019

Amazing. Definitely go clockwise but not a difficult walk.

Linda on 17 Jul, 2019

Amazing waterfall, very rainy but so much fun and many great photos!

Jane Mousley on 29 Jun, 2019

I have done this walk many times but it is always beautiful. Lots of rainbows dancing in the falls today which was particularly special

Bobbe on 20 Jun, 2019

Beautiful walk to an amazing waterfall and pools via some great rock formations. We completed the walk quite early on a public holiday. Arriving at about 6.30am I was not expecting to see many people. It was actually quite busy with tourists taking selfies in the waterfal area. Walked quite fast and was able to complete in about 1.25hrs.

Jimcar on 6 May, 2019

I went in the recommended clockwise direction. I found it to be a pretty easy walk but I definitely got the heart pumping on the incline as I’m a fairly fast walker. Took me just over an hour, not including a stop at the waterfall.

Beautiful scenery and waterfall was decent after some rain earlier in the week.
Came across a green tree snake, a couple of decent size lizards, but also a red belly black snake. It was just sunning itself and I had to edge towards it slowly to make it move, but it eventually did.

Temperature was about 33-34 degrees and humid on the day but it was actually not too too bad in the rainforest.

There is a carpark on site but also areas to park on the adjoining streets - best to try get there before 10.30-11

Pure Wanderlust on 24 Mar, 2019

Absolutely beautiful walk; my second time visiting Purling Brook Falls and first time since the full circuit reopened. We also tagged on the Warringa Pool track which branches off from the base of the falls, which was well worth doing. It took us 2.5 hours altogether.
It's a perfect time to visit the Falls, with all the rain we've had recently - there was a decent amount of water flowing, and so much lush greenery and all kinds of fungus and mushrooms growing in the forest. We were fortunate enough to come across a tree snake right next to the track, and watched it slither away up the bank. Noticed a few leeches in a particularly muddy spot on the track down to Warringa Pool, so take care to check your shoes!
This walk is very popular, so if you want to avoid the crowds, it's best to head out early morning. It was a shame to see so many people ignore the request not to swim in the pool at the base of the Falls, and we were glad we arrived early enough to get some beautiful photos before it filled up with people. Such a shame.
Other than that though, this remains one of my favourite walks and waterfalls, and plan to return many times yet.

Sarah on 23 Mar, 2019

Really pleasant walk. Took us a bit under 2 hours going at an easy pace. Nice to see the falls -we would have liked to go down for a swim but were a bit pushed for time, so might have to go again another day

NB. the Gold Coast-Springbrook Rd has reopened now

lamalama on 20 Mar, 2019

Where

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