The Gold Coast Hinterland is located just 30 minutes from the Coastline of the the Gold coast. I have also included Mount Tamborine in this blog. In this area you can explore leisurely walks, stunning views, plenty of waterfall’s. The walks in the area can vary from easy leisure walks to Steep beautiful hikes.
Tamborine Mountain
Cameron Fall’s
Once in Tamborine Mountain follow Knoll road to Sandy Creek circuit. At the end of the road you will reach a carpark and a sign saying Sandy Creek Reserve. Before beginning the track you can head out to Knoll Lookout. The trail to Cameron Falls is 3.7km return circuit. The waterfall was flowing but only a trickle when we were there. It’s still worth the walk through the forest past the waterfall even though you cant see the waterfall the views are beautiful.
Curtis Fall’s
This is the most popular waterfall in the National Park. It is a short and easy trail to the waterfall from the carpark. From there you have the option to follow the lower creek circuit trail. Which we believe was well worth it. It was more peaceful and less crowded. also an adventure along the creek and a little rock hoping over the creek. Try and go during the week when the waterfall is less crowded. The trail to the fall’s and the lower creek is 2.7km return,
Palm Grove Circuit
A beautiful walk through the rainforest. This loop route begins and ends from the end of Palm Grove Avenue, in Eagle Heights. The trail is 2.3km and will take around 40 minutes return.
Witches Fall’s
The trail begins a couple of hundred meters from Rotary lookout. The walk to witches falls is a 3.2km circuit through the rainforest. The waterfall is best seen after heavy rainfall but it still is flowing throughout the year. The views out to the dividing ranges.
Pages Pinnacle
To get to the beginning of the hike Follow Pine Creek Road for approximately 2-3 kilometers, there will be a small car park which is next to the Scouts Numinbah Camp Site. From there follow an old fire trail, across a creek all the way up to the start of the Pages pinnacle ridge line. The trail isnt too well marked and near the top you turn left. Although there is a tree with an arrow we missed this and continued up the hill and we took the second left to the ridge of Pages Pinnacle. Once you walk along the ridge line you will head down a rock face and across to the second mountain where you will continue across another ridge line. once at the top head down the hill slightly you will follow a skinny path to one of thee best views over the dam. Once again all trails is good to have as the trail is not marked along the way.
Lamington National Park
Located around 1 hour 30 minutes from the Gold Coast you will reach Lamington National Park. There is two side to the park O’Reilly’s and Binna Burra. O’Reilly’s has shorter and longer hikes throughout the rainforest and Binna Burra has Longer hikes throughout. We stayed at O’Reilly’s Campground and Beechmont Bean Cabins at Binna Burra. There is also a campground at Binna Burra. Both campgrounds are $30 per night for 2 people, The cabin was $130pn (2024).
Elabana Fall’s and Picnic Rock
To begin the hike you can either walk from the campground or park at the day use area. Follow the Border Track, before making a left to Picnic rock. It is signed along the way so it’s easy to follow. Along the way you’ll pass through forests filled with ferns and cross picturesque creeks before descending gradually to the falls and Picnic Rock. Once you cross the creek at Picnic rock continue along the trail to the bottom of the falls. Once at the bottom of the falls, you will need to scramble up a couple of rocks to get the best view. Head back via the tree top walk take a right towards the boardwalk and you will head up a few stairs before arriving at the Tree top walk. The walk is 7.2km return and allow 3 hours.
O’reilley’s tree top walk
Stroll along nine suspension bridges for 180 metres at approximately 15 metres above the rainforest floor. You can also climb to the two observation decks constructed high in a Strangler Fig – the highest one being 30 metres (approximately 110 feet) above the ground. O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk is free of charge, however donations for maintenance to the Green Mountains History Association are appreciated
Moran Fall’s
To reach the Morans Falls lookout, go from the Python Rock and Morans Falls trailhead through subtropical rainforest .Morans Falls as it plunges 80 metres into the canyon of Morans Creek. Take in the beautiful views of the Albert River valley and Mounts Lindsey and Barney in the distance by continuing on the path that crosses a clear creek to the viewpoint point. You will return along the same trail back to the carpark. It is a 4km 1 hour return walk.
Python Rock
It is located at the same carpark or Moran fall’s. Follow the trail to the right though the rainforest. It is fairly easy to follow to the lookout. The views from Python Rock lookout offer views out to Morans Falls, Castle Crag and Mount Razorback stretch. It’s a 3.1km return walk and allow an hour. You can combine this walk with the walk out to the top of Moran Fall’s.
Binna Burra
Is located on the other side of O’Reilly’s in Lamington National Park.
Daves Creek Circuit
The Dave’s Creek circuit is 12 kilometers long and can be done as a circuit, with clockwise the recommended direction. The walk begins along the Tullawallal circuit but then continues across the border track to the eastern side of the national park. It takes you through eucalypts and woodland, right to the edge of the mountain for an incredible viewpoint out to the ocean. There is many beautiful view spots along the way and although it is a long track it’s well worth it. Allow 4 hours to complete the trail back to the main carpark.
Gwongoorool Pool Track
The trail begins at the Binna Burra lower day use area. From there head about 10 meters down the road to the beginning of the trail. The hike is 4.2km 2 hours return. The trail zig zags it’s way down the mountain to the Gwongoorool Pool where you can go for a refreshing swim in the creek.
Spring Brook National Park
The lush national park is part of the World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests in Australia. It’s a beautiful paradise of flowing waterfalls, ancient trees and natural beauty with epic lookout’s. It is located about 1 hour from the Gold coast or 2 hours from Brisbane. There is plenty of accommodation choices in the area, Including a campground which is only $7 per night per person (2024). We stayed at the Love nature glamping Hut.
Purling Brook Falls Via Waringa Pool’s
The complete circuit is 6km return and allow 2 hours. Purling Brook Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Gold Coast Hinterland. This long drop of water tumbles over a sheltered escarpment into a pool below. It’s recommended to do the hike in a clockwise direction, so then you head down the stairs and back up the ramp. Once at Purling brook falls you will see a sign to Waringa pools which is an additional 2km return. It will then take you deeper down into the valley to a pool at the bottom.
Warrie Circuit Via Twin Fall’s
Often ranked amongst the best day hikes in Queensland, the Warrie Circuit should definitely on your list when visiting Springbrook National Park. While you’ll need 4-5 hours to complete it, You will then be rewarded with some of the most stunning nature and epic waterfalls, you will pass around 8 waterfall along the trail. There is signs along the trail so you wont get lost. Begin the walk early to beat the heat and crowds. At the start of the walk we were the only ones and we first passed Rainbow Falls. By the end of the walk at Twin Falls it was full of people. We did the trail anti clockwise but it can be done either way.
Best of all lookout
The trail is 750m return walk and allow 15 minutes to the lookout and back. A nice little walk out to a lookout is worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time. From the car park, the trail is relatively flat and sealed through some of the most incredible ancient trees. Once you reach the end of the path, you’ll come to a nice wooden platform overlooking the vast landscape below the Springbrook Plateau. On a clear day you can look across to Mount Warning, the Gold Coast Hinterland, and down to the coast. Return the same way.
Natural Bridge Circuit
The trail is 1km 30 minute return circuit. It is not located in the Main part of the national park but on the other side it is well worth checking out if you have the time. From the main car park and visitor area accessed off Nerang-Murwillumbah Road, you can take the 1km circuit hike that is an easy stroll through the rainforest and down to the waterfall. The walk goes in a clockwise direction, as you go through the forest and walk down the stairs under the natural bridge and into the cave. There’s a platform in the cave from where you can view the waterfall plunging through a hole in the cave’s roof. You will then return via the viewpoint which is above the waterfall and offers a different perspective.
To read more Blogs around Queensland Click Here.