Gold Coast: Sightseeing at Springbrook National Park

Bucket Lists

I tell people that Machu Picchu is the only/last place on my bucket list. Thanks to Baño Cheng and friends, I checked that off in October 2012. Every place I visit from then on is a bonus. I still hold that as true.

As time goes on, I add more things to my list. It’s a different list, not a must-do, but nice-to-do. One of the items I recently added is to “rent a car and drive on the left side of the road”, and on August 8th – mission complete.

(This is a small feat for something bigger in the future, I know it.)

Road trip means we need a destination. I present to you: Springbrook National Park, a rainforest built on remnants of an extinct shield volcano1.

Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park

I have no problems with the steering wheel on the right, but the indicator light on the right? Not so easy.

Driving on the left side of the road in Gold Coast.
This photo is taken by Lillian. Notice how clean the windows are after a few turns.
Purlingbrook Falls, Springbrook National Park.
Purlingbrook Falls. A 2 hour hike there and back. The falls are a bit dry. It would be so much nicer in the summer.
Red plant that looks like corn on a cob.
What search term would you google to find out what plant this is? Anyone want to give it a go?
Best of All Lookout Sign and Antarctic Beech Trees
Best of All Lookout Sign and Antarctic Beech Trees. Apparently some of these trees are 3000 years old!

It is named “Best of All Lookout” because it is supposed to be the best of them all. When we arrive, we are greeted by fog. We are somewhat disappointed but decide to be patient, and give ourselves 10 minutes to see if the fog would dissipate.

Best of All Lookout, foggy.
Before: Best of All Lookout, Springbrook National Park.

And…ta-da!

Best of All Lookout, clouds resided.
After: Best of All Lookout, overlooking New South Wales.

Yay! There is a bit of a break and we can see the landscape beneath us. The vastness is amazing. I feel bad for the couple who decided not to stay for a few more minutes.

Our last stop is Natural Bridge. It is a magical spot, with the lighting and all, but the magic we are waiting for doesn’t start until it gets dark.

springbrook-08
Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park.

It must be our lucky day, because the magic revealed themselves before dark.

springbrook-09
Glow worms, Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park.

Next post: Dreamworld Theme Park

 

1Shield volcano means it was built on fluid lava flows (Wiki). Read more about Springbrook National Park on Wiki or the Queensland Dept of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing.

 

4 thoughts on “Gold Coast: Sightseeing at Springbrook National Park”

  1. Hehehe I don’t have a website so I’ll leave the above empty. Hello! How’s it going!
    I wanna thank you so very very much for planning this trip! It has been amazing and I’ve seen so many things and places I’d never thought I’d seen. That red plant that looks like corn on a cob errrr I think I’ll pass it to Mary Tang. She’s staying plants currently. Let’s see if she’s seen it on her textbook. The most memorable part of this trip is to get to spend time with you and see things with you. Of course, I got distracted with all these aussome attractions.

    My favorite attractions/activities? Well, where should I begin. They’re all so aussome. So glad I marked them all down on my diary! My second most memorable part of this trip is the feeling of breathing in fresh air after that 18 hours flight next to the nice gentleman with B.O. Fresh air is so precious!

    My favorite part of the trip would have to be the National Park hike. I didn’t realize nature could be so beautiful.. I came to appreciate trees and birds so much more during this trip. Everything is so beautiful. If I remember correctly, the last time I was at rain forest on the Island (Victoria), the air was so moist and I didn’t find trees that beautiful. Maybe Auss was really aussome! Everything was aussome! Even the trees were aussome just because! (been singing that song throughout our whole trip!)

    My second favorite part of the trip was actually the kangarooooooooo visit!
    Wowowwwwwww they’re so cute. i heard their marsupium (pocket) is very goey~~ I really wanted to touch it! Of course, I could only imagine it.. ewww!! Auuuu!!! Joeys seem to like it in there. To see it with my own eyes was fascinating! They’re so small!! Big thanks to your tour guide! He’s so helpful! Please treat him a…. cup of water for me, since he doesn’t drink coffee. LOL

    The next runner up would be the koala experience at the Dreamworld themed park. My objective of this trip was to touch a koala! Wahhhh It was so light and lazyyyy. It just laid on me like he’s got no back bone! awwww .. he stinks….but so cute!

    Keep posting updates.
    So..where is.. manchu.. pi..kachu? I can see you there in the lost city very soon.
    Post more photos when you’re there! kekekeke..

    Tourism of each city should pay you to blog.

    L

    1. Hi Lillian,

      Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you had an aussome time. Machu Picchu is in Perú; I visited there in 2012. It was fantastic. Catch up with you soon!

      Tiff

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