One of the most stunning and popular sights of Springbrook National Park is Natural Bridge — a beautiful natural arched cave through whose ceiling a sparkling waterfall tumbles like a cascade of a million droplets of light. It is a magical sight to behold and the Natural Bridge Circuit is a great bushwalk to do with kids to explore the beautiful rainforest setting and visit this stunning natural wonder.
About Springbrook National Park
Springbrook National Park is a Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area with spectacular scenery, beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views and amazing wildlife. To find out all about Springbrook National Park, including how to get there, check out Visit Springbrook National Park with Kids.
About Natural Bridge Circuit
Distance: 1km circuit
Time: 1 hour
Level of difficulty: Class 2
Natural Bridge Circuit is a one-kilometre circuit walking trail through the subtropical rainforest in the beautiful Numinbah Valley.
You will walk through the beautiful forest where you can look out for skinks and lace monitors, beautiful rainforest birds and even pademelons. You can also go inside the cave, where you can even spot glow worms at night!
See nprsr.qld.gov.au for a map of Springbrook National Park as well as a Walking Trails map.
Level of difficulty
According to the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, the Natural Bridge Circuit is rated Class 2, indicating that it is an easy level track which is suitable for all fitness levels.
This is a sealed circuit track that is a relatively easy walk, although there is a long section of steps.
Before you set off
Remember to wear hats, sunscreen and insect repellent. Wear good walking shoes for ankle support and to keep off leeches which may be present. Also, don’t forget to bring plenty of drinking water and snacks if needed.
Check the weather before you set off, and check the display stand at the entrance to the walking track which has maps and information about the area and its wildlife. You can also read up about the route here before heading out.
You should also check Park alerts here before you head off, as some parts of the track may be closed after significant rainfall for public safety. (Access to the glow-worm cave is usually still available.)
Note: There is limited mobile phone service in this area.
The Natural Bridge Circuit walk at Springbrook National Park
Heading in a clockwise direction will make for an easier walk along this trail, due to the long section of steps. Follow the sealed track across Cave Creek. (Please note that access to the creek is restricted to protect the sensitive ecosystem of this area and to ensure visitor safety. Swimming is prohibited.)
Enjoy the beautiful view of the natural bridge cave from the outside.
Then head into the cave to see the magical, shimmering waterfall close up.
At night, the cave is lit up with the green glow of thousands of glow-worms! These stunning displays of bioluminescence are best seen during the warmer, wetter months of the year, from December to March. You can read all about the glow-worms of Natural Bridge at nprsr.qld.gov.au. Plus visit Where to Find Glow-worms on the Gold Coast for full details of this really amazing attraction that all kids will love.
Then follow the path up to view the waterfall from above as it plunges into the circular hole and into the cave below.
Along the track you can learn all about the amazing special features of the natural surroundings from interpretive signs. You can see giant rainforest trees, ferns and fig trees. There are even amazing hoop pines known as ‘living dinosaurs’ because they are relics from the Jurassic Age, 180 million years ago!
The walk then leads back to the car park. In total, walking with kids and allowing plenty of time to explore the cave, you can expect to take around an hour.
After the walk
Reward yourselves after this great walk with a picnic at the picnic area, where there are picnic tables, one of which has a shelter. There is often also a food and drink truck near the entrance to the track. There are public toilets. The water here is not suitable for drinking. If the picnic area at Natural Bridge is crowded, you can head to picnic sites at Forest Park in the Numinbah section and Bochow Park, a few kilometres to the north. These sites are great for a picnic or barbecue, and both have a creek that kids will enjoy (under adult supervision).
Plus check out this Visitors Map from explorespringbrook.com for other nearby attractions in the beautiful Springbrook National Park.
For more great things to see and do in Springbrook National park, check out Visit Springbrook National Park with Kids, Best of All Lookout, Apple Tree Park, Twin Falls Circuit and Where to Find Glow Worms on the Gold Coast.
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