Springbrook National Park is a protected rainforest area in Queensland, Australia, known for its waterfalls and rare plants and animals. It consists of four sections, including the Natural Bridge and Mount Cougal, which were once targeted by developers and loggers. The park gained federal protection in the late 1930s and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1994. Today, it is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and wildlife spotting, with strict regulations in place to protect the environment.
Springbrook National Park is a grouping of four protected rainforest areas on the east coast of Australia. The park is located in the southeasternmost part of Queensland, approximately 60 miles (100 km) south of Brisbane, the state capital and largest city. Springbrook is renowned for its many waterfalls and rugged tropical terrain, and is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals. Tourists from all over the world flock to Springbrook National Park to experience nature hands-on. Visitors are welcome every day of the year for hiking, nature walks, camping and photography, among other activities.
There are four major components of Springbrook National Park: the Springbrook section, the Natural Bridge section, the Mount Cougal section, and the Numinbah section. All were once independent reserves, with Mt Cougal at its centre. Mount Cougal was, many centuries ago, an active volcano, and the disturbances of the landmass from its many eruptions have created many of the rifts, cliffs and valleys that make the terrain so unique.
The areas surrounding the mountain have long been popular, both within Australia and with international tourists. Developers in the 1920s targeted much of the area surrounding the natural bridge section for picnic areas and recreational facilities. A large hotel was also erected in the rainforest. Before long, logging became a major industry in the area and it was soon discovered that the dense hardwoods that had grown in the forests for centuries were soon discovered to fetch very high prices on the European market. Dairies and other industries have opened on the reclaimed land surrounding the hotel.
Noting a general decline in native flora and fauna, the Australian government took action in the late 1930s. The Springbrook section was the first to win federal protection in 1937, and the Mount Cougal land followed in 1938. Both remaining sections gained protection after World War II, but it wasn’t until 1990 that the four were incorporated. in the unique Springbrook National Park. In 1994, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the rainforests that make up Springbrook a World Heritage Site.
The park is most famous for its dynamic collection of wildlife, as well as its expansive vistas and lush green valleys. Conservation efforts led by the government and a handful of public trust organizations largely reversed the damage caused during the early part of the 20th century, with many plants regenerating and animal species reproducing to sustainable levels. Some estimates put the number of animal inhabitants far in excess of 1,000, with the park alone supporting at least 100 bird species. It is widely believed that plant life is equally diverse, making the park an excellent site for all types of ecological and biological research.
However, most visitors come to the park for recreation. Various nature trails and hiking trails weave through the land, with a multitude of marked viewpoints and wildlife scouting areas. Camping in Springbrook National Park is permitted in a designated location, but is highly restricted. Campers must apply for a special permit and must agree to keep their camping gear within the specific confines of the pitch to which they have been assigned. Likewise, swimming is permitted in some, but not all, creeks and rivers, and nearly all are marked.
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