springbrooke national park

Springbrook National Park—yes, without the sneaky extra “e”—sits in the Gold Coast hinterland and is basically a greatest-hits album of waterfalls and rainforest.

Tick off Purling Brook Falls for the big curtain drop, then wander to the Natural Bridge, where glow-worms put on a night show that makes LED headlights look shy.

Tracks range from quick strolls to proper boot-soakers; check park alerts after heavy rain because Queensland does love a dramatic closure.

Pack water, mozzie spray, and a camera, and take it easy on the tight, twisty access roads—no one’s impressed if you meet a bus nose-first.