The Gold Coast Great Walk is a 54 kilometre hike through a diverse range of natural landscapes in the mountains behind Australia’s Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast Great Walk is split into three sections:
- O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra
- Binna Burra to the Woonoongoora Walkers Camp
- Woonoongoora Walkers Camp to Springbrook
The 9 kilometre section from the Woonoongoora Walkers Camp to the small township of Springbrook is a mix of challenging uphill pulls, a walk through rainforest and the spectacle of walking behind a huge waterfall.
The Queensland Government recommends a walking time of four and a half hours for this section.
Leaving the Woonoongoora Walkers Camp
If possible before leaving camp, top up the water bottles from the small water tank on the toilet shed.
From the Woonoongoora Walkers Camp the track goes up. About 900 steps; fortunately not one after the other, but spaced in groups of about 20 maximum with a few paces in between.
At the top of the 400 metre climb a sign warns hikers heading down that it is a long way and the only way out is up. Apparently this section is the equivalent of climbing the staircase of a 100-story building.
Some hikers take the walk from the town of Numinbah up to Springbrook. A drop-off at Numinbah and a pick up at the top has to be arranged.
From Springbrook Road to Little Nerang Creek on the Gold Coast Great Walk
After reaching the top of the 900 steps, the track winds on for about one kilometre before meeting the main Springbrook road at Apple Tree Park. The route then crosses the road and follows a powerline easement dirt road for about another kilometre.
The track ducks sharply to the left off the dirt road. This can be a tricky spot, but fortunately there are signposts. Though, vigilance is needed, as it may be possible to miss the signs and end up walking into Springbrook by the road.
From here, the track heads down. What had just been climbed now has to be undone by dropping down into the catchment valley of the Little Nerang Dam. The start of the big drop down is again warned with a sign comparing the height of the drop to a large building. It is a steep walk down which can again make the legs muscles scream for mercy. A trekking pole can help with the descent.
Hiking Along Little Nerang Creek of the Gold Coast Great Walk
At the bottom, the Little Nerang Creek bubbles over the rocks, making this a great spot for an early lunch.
The track continues up the valley, passing some small pools in the creek that would be tempting for a dip during a hike in the hot summer months. The main pool is the Warringa Pool; the furthest point where day walkers usually come from Springbrook
Purling Brook Falls on the Gold Coast Great Walk
The track winds slowly upwards towards the bottom of the Purling Brook Falls. The bottom of the falls is only a couple of kilometres from the start of the walking tracks out of Springbrook. At this point a hiker on the Gold Coast Great Walk can meet up with large numbers of day walkers coming down to experience the unique walk behind the Purling Brook Falls.
The spectacular curtain of water falling about 100 metres into a large caldron brings many people down to this unique spot. The bush track becomes a concrete path providing a rare opportunity to actually walk right behind a waterfall.
After walking behind the waterfall of Purling Brook Falls, the track winds upwards to the top of the falls. There is a junction that leads to either the Settlement Campground or the main carpark for the Purling Brook Falls.
How Good is the Gold Coast Great Walk?
The Gold Coast Great Walk is an interesting walk with highs and lows. The bad bits are the walks along the roads that detracts from being a “wilderness experience”.
However, on a positive note, the good bits are the changing environment as the track passes from dense rainforest to open farmland, to eucalyptus forest and some wide open farming lands.
Possibly the highlight is the Woonoongoora Walkers Camp. It is a great place to spend the night: set on the nice, soft grass with a great view.
Bruce Iliff - Hello from an Australian freelancer! I’ve been scratching articles together in Australia in a range of subjects for a number of ...
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