Springbrook National Park is a Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area with spectacular scenery, beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views and amazing wildlife. One of the best ways to experience all of these natural wonders is on the Twin Falls Circuit walking trail.
About Springbrook
To find out all about Springbrook National Park, including how to get there, check out Visit Springbrook National Park with Kids.
About Twin Falls Circuit
Distance: 4km circuit
Time: 2-3 hours
Level of difficulty: Class 3
Twin Falls Circuit is a 4-kilometre circuit walking trail that takes you from the beautiful panoramic views at the top of the Springbrook Plateau to the mystical rainforest floor in the canyon below. It is a wonderfully scenic walk where you can cross streams, walk through crazy rock clefts, explore the subtropical rainforest, walk behind not one but two waterfalls, cool off in a huge rock pool, spot wildlife and more!
Due to the descent and ascent at the start and end of this trail, it is a fairly strenuous walk to do with kids, but it is well worth it for the amazing natural scenery you will see along the way.
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 Twin Falls Circuit is rated Class 3 and requires a reasonable level of fitness. The trail has rough track surfaces, as well as sections of steps so it is not convenient for prams or wheelchairs. At the start of the trail, you descend into the rainforest, and this steep section has sloping paths and steps. Our kids aged 3 and 5 coped fine with this section of the track. The trail along the forest floor is manageable for kids of most ages. At the end of the circuit, there is a steep climb up sloping paths with lots of steps back up to the top of the plateau. Expect most kids to ask for a piggyback ride after doing about two steps! Our tip is to take your time and enjoy the magnificence of each unique level of the rainforest as you ascend.
Dangers
There are steep cliff edges along this walk and the innocent-looking creek at the top plummets over the plateau edge to actually form the Twin Falls. Children must be closely supervised at all times.
Exposed roots and rocks or fallen trees are common on this walk. There are also some steep sections of path, steps and parts that may be muddy or overhanging with vegetation.
Before you set off
Remember to pack all the essentials for going on a walk, including plenty of water, snacks, hats, sunscreen, and so on. Wear good walking shoes, not only for ankle support but also to help keep off leeches. Using insect repellent for bugs as well as for leeches around the feet and ankles is also recommended.
Check the weather before you set off, and check the information board at the Information Centre on Old School Road, where you can pick up a map. You can also read up about the route here before heading out.
The Twin Falls Circuit walk
Now the fun can begin! Drive to Canyon Lookout where you can park the car and begin this amazing bushwalk.
Canyon Lookout
Enjoy the breathtaking views over rainforests and mountains, all the way out to the coast. Being 900 metres above sea level, the panoramic vista from this natural vantage point is truly stunning. You can also enjoy lovely views of the Twin Falls from above.
The walk
From Canyon Lookout, head anti-clockwise on the circuit to make the most of this great trail. First, you will cross a beautiful creek where you can stop to spot crayfish in the water. Look downstream and you may be able to spot where the creek drops over the edge of the plateau to form the falls.
Next, you begin the descent to the forest floor. Expect some steps and fairly steep sloping paths, although most kids will find this quite manageable.
There are some awesome rock clefts to pass through along the way. Kids will love the adventure of exploring the amazing rock formations.
Learn about this amazing natural environment as you read the interpretive signs along the way.
Then at the bottom, be rewarded with this stunning sight of the Twin Falls and the amazing huge rock pool.
Kids will love walking behind the falls and feeling the refreshing spray on their skin!
Look out for wildlife from skinks and lace monitors to beautiful birds and pademelons. Plus enjoy the stunning scenery of the rainforest, with palms, treeferns, brush box over a thousand years old, and hollowed out fig trees.
You will also pass cliff faces, shiny with dripping groundwater that kids will find fascinating to see and touch.
You will also pass behind a second waterfall before beginning the ascent back up the plateau.
After the walk
Reward yourselves after this great walk with some refreshments amongst the beautiful birds in the gardens of Rosellaโs Cafe, or head to the nearby Tallanbana Picnic Ground for a lovely picnic.
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, Natural Bridge Circuit and Where to Find Glow Worms on the Gold Coast.
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