Springbrook National Park with Kids
Have you been eyeing a trip to Springbrook National Park to go hiking with kids?
After a few day trips from Brisbane to Tamborine Mountain, we decided to venture just a little bit further away and go hiking with our kids at Springbrook National Park.
Known for its Natural Bridge, waterfalls, and glow worms, we knew that Springbrook National Park would provide our family with a nice day outside of the city.
Keep reading to learn more about Springbrook National Park and the hiking trails to see if it is somewhere you would like to go with kids.
Getting to Springbrook National Park
Springbrook National Park is located about an hour and a half south of Brisbane and less than an hour from the Gold Coast, not too far from the New South Wales border.
Visiting Springbrook National Park is an easy day trip from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Unfortunately, you can not get to Springbrook National Park on public transportation, so a car or tour is your only option.
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Lookouts at Springbrook National Park
While my husband loves lookouts, the kids do not. He overdid it on our Mother’s Day hike at Mount Glorious, so this time we just stopped at one lookout. The kids would much rather be hiking.
We picked the first lookout, the one across from the Visitor’s Center.
There is another one called “Best of All Lookout” and I am shocked we didn’t end up there too.
Twin Peak Falls: Hiking with Kids at Springbrook National Park
This is for sure the hardest hike that my kids have done so far. At 5 and 7, the kids rarely whine while hiking anymore, and they especially like rough ground. The more rocks the better.
There is a 14-kilometer return hike which is rated a grade 4 walk (estimated 5-6 hours for experienced hikers only), or a 4.2-kilometer return hike which is a grade 3 and averages 2 hours.
We decided to walk to the waterfall and back, which was about half of the Twin Falls Circuit. An hour is usually enough for the kids, and we didn’t pack a lunch.
It took us about 30 minutes to get to the waterfalls.
There are lots of stairs and steep slopes, but they have handrails. The ground was slippery due to the recent rain.
When you get close to the waterfall, there are 2 paths you can choose between. We chose to take the cave path on the way and the creek path on the way back.
The waterfall provides a nice area to sit on the rocks and have a snack.
Lunch near Springbrook National Park
There are plenty of places to sit down for a picnic and plenty of picnic tables scattered throughout Springbrook National Park.
We did not pack a lunch, so we went to Dancing Waters Cafe for lunch. There are few choices on the mountain, but we enjoyed the soup, salad, and sandwiches at Dancing Waters.
After lunch, we went to the fudge shop, as I had of course bribed the kids to not whine. Hey, maybe that is why my kids don’t whine while hiking anymore.
There is a large area with picnic tables and a field for the kids to run around behind the shop.
We had to wait in line outside but there is a large fairy garden outside for the kids to explore.
Natural Bridge: Hiking with Kids at Springbrook National Park
After lunch, we drove to the Natural Bridge.
Apparently, Z didn’t get the memo that we were not done for the day, and he started to melt down.
By this point, M had decided that she wanted to move to the mountains so she can hike daily.
Luckily, the path is a 1-kilometer circuit, which they say takes an hour. Even with stopping and snacking, we were back in the car within 30-45 minutes.
We did not see glow worms in the cave.
To be honest, we didn’t look hard. I was trying to get a good picture and the kids were ready to move on. I didn’t realize that is where they would be and so we had disappointed kids. They had seen glow worms before and were looking forward to seeing them again. Either way, it was not anything like the glow worm caves at Tamborine Mountain.
Since we visited Springbrook National Park, I have seen photos that a friend took at night of the glow worms, and it looks amazing. My new plan, now that the kids are a bit older, is to hike to Natural Bridge at night so we can see the glow worms.
Springbrook National Park FAQ
There are multiple hikes at Springbrook National Park, including a 14-kilometer hike. Other hikes at Springbrook National Park range from 100 meters to 6 kilometers, with every length in between.
The Natural Bridge walk at Springbrook National Park is 1.1 kilometers and generally takes 20 minutes to complete.
Waterfalls that can be seen while hiking at Springbrook National Park include Purling Brook Falls, Twin Falls, Goomoolahra Falls, and Natural Bridge Waterfall.
No, the trails are not pram-friendly.
Springbrook National Park Wrap-Up
If you are looking for a beautiful park near Brisbane to visit with your family, Springbrook National Park is a great option.
With multiple areas to hike, waterfalls to admire, and places to enjoy a meal nearby, Springbrook National Park is a great day trip from Brisbane.
For those with older kids, plan to stay until the sun goes down so that you are able to see the glow worms that live near Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park.
More Day Trips from Brisbane
How to Spend a Beautiful Day Outside Near Brisbane with Kids
Tamborine Mountain
Rainforest Walk and Glow Worm Caves
Sunshine Coast
Beaches