Springbrook National Park is a protected area located in southeastern Queensland, Australia, within the Gold Coast hinterland approximately 100 kilometres south of Brisbane. The park occupies elevated terrain on the eastern edge of the McPherson Range and forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Springbrook is characterized by high plateaus, steep escarpments, deep valleys, and extensive rainforest cover, with elevations reaching over 900 metres above sea level. The area experiences high annual rainfall and frequent cloud cover, creating cool, humid conditions that support diverse subtropical and temperate ecosystems. Human settlement within the park is absent, and land use is dedicated to conservation, research, and low-impact recreation.
History
Before European contact, the Springbrook region formed part of the traditional lands of the Yugambeh people. The landscape held cultural, spiritual, and practical significance, with forested plateaus, creeks, and escarpments forming part of established movement routes and resource areas. While dense rainforest limits the visibility of archaeological material, the broader region contains evidence of long-term Aboriginal occupation and land use.
European exploration of the Springbrook Plateau occurred in the late 19th century, initially driven by interest in timber extraction and agricultural potential. Logging activities affected parts of the area in the early 20th century, but the rugged terrain and recognition of ecological value limited extensive development. Conservation efforts intensified during the mid-20th century, leading to the declaration of Springbrook National Park in 1990 through the amalgamation of several protected areas. Since then, the park has been managed primarily for biodiversity conservation and landscape protection.
Geology
Geologically, Springbrook National Park lies on the eastern rim of the ancient Tweed Shield Volcano, a massive volcanic system that formed during the Miocene approximately 23 million years ago. The plateau and escarpments represent erosional remnants of basaltic lava flows that once extended across a broad volcanic dome covering much of what is now southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales.
The dominant bedrock consists of basalt derived from successive volcanic eruptions, with deeply weathered profiles and interbedded volcanic deposits. Long-term erosion by rivers, combined with mass-movement processes and chemical weathering under high rainfall conditions, has produced dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and deeply incised gorges. Basalt-derived soils in the park are relatively fertile and support dense rainforest vegetation, while structural weaknesses in the volcanic rock influence drainage patterns and slope stability.
Things to See
Springbrook National Park contains numerous natural features that reflect its volcanic origin and rainforest environment. Prominent attractions include high-elevation lookouts such as Best of All Lookout, which offers expansive views across the Gold Coast lowlands and, in clear conditions, toward the Pacific Ocean.
The park is renowned for its waterfalls, including Purling Brook Falls and Natural Bridge, where water flows through a basalt cave formed by erosion along structural weaknesses in the lava flows. Extensive walking tracks provide access to rainforest interiors, cliff edges, and creek systems, allowing observation of geological formations, ancient forest species, and diverse wildlife. The combination of plateau landscapes, escarpments, and subtropical rainforest makes Springbrook a key site for understanding volcanic landscape evolution and Gondwanan ecosystems.