Australia · Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland
Purling Brook Falls
A circuit trail through the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area lets hikers walk down, behind, and back up past the full drop of this Springbrook plateau waterfall, an unusually complete perspective for a falls of its height. The surrounding subtropical rainforest is a relic of the ancient supercontinent that once linked Australia to Antarctica and South America.
A circuit trail through the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area lets hikers walk down, behind, and back up past the full drop of this Springbrook plateau waterfall, an unusually complete perspective for a falls of its height. The surrounding subtropical rainforest is a relic of the ancient supercontinent that once linked Australia to Antarctica and South America.
Purling Brook Falls drops 109 metres (358 ft) on the Little Nerang Creek, inside Springbrook National Park. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Springbrook, with OOL the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Autumn and spring give reliable flow along the full circuit trail behind and around the falls.
What you can do here
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
When to go
Autumn and spring give reliable flow along the full circuit trail behind and around the falls.
Entry: Free park entry
Getting there
- Base townSpringbrook
- AirportOOL
- CountryAustralia
- RegionGold Coast Hinterland, Queensland, Oceania
- AccessModerate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
On the map
-28.1719, 153.2689
Quick answers
How tall is Purling Brook Falls?
Purling Brook Falls drops 109 metres (358 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Little Nerang Creek.
When is the best time to visit Purling Brook Falls?
Peak flow is March to May and September to October. Autumn and spring give reliable flow along the full circuit trail behind and around the falls.
What can you do at Purling Brook Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Purling Brook Falls?
The usual base is Springbrook, and the closest airport is OOL. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Free park entry.
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