Warrie Circuit Hike, Springbrook National Park

Written By Helen McKerral

We acknowledge and pay respect to the land and the traditional families of the Yugambeh region of South East Queensland and their Elders past present and emerging. The Yugambeh region includes families that identify as Kombumerri, Mununjali, Wangerriburra and others.

The Warrie Circuit is a delightful circuit day hike with waterfalls, rainforest, rainbows and rivulets. 17 km (10.6 miles) officially, but a km or two less by most accounts. There is a shorter 4 km ‘Twin Falls Circuit’ walk, or an even shorter 2 km out and return walk, where you can also see some of the waterfalls.

Sign describing the hike and points of interest . It also highlights the dangers such as sheer cliffs and slippery waterfalls of the walk.

Map signage at the start of the track: it’s worth taking a snap on your phone. Or load up on Avenza or Alltrails, although you may not have even gps reception in the deeper parts of the gorges.

Queensland Government warning sign for hikers advising them to leave at least 6 hours walking time to compete the 17 km walk.

Whilst there are variations in the published length of this day walk,
most agree on the 700 m elevation gain! and loss!

Like stories, the best walks have a natural rhythm, a beginning and middle, with scenes along the way, and a climax and resolution at the end. If you’re looking for an exceptional day walk less than an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast (90 minutes from Brisbane), the Warrie Circuit is hard to beat.  We did this walk counter-clockwise to finish with the climactic spectacular views from Canyon Lookout, but either way would be fine.

This beautifully graded circuit starts at the Tallanbana picnic area carpark, descends along and between sheer rock walls through rainforest and past (under!) Rainbow and Goomoolahra Falls, before descending to a creek junction (‘Meeting of the Waters’) with sun-warmed rock slabs that make a perfect spot for lunch. The return ascent has welcome switchbacks before passing four more waterfalls and a final highlight of Canyon Lookout.

The track surface is generally smooth with a few rougher sections, with steps or switchbacks in steeper sections. Wet sections of rock or concrete near waterfalls may be slippery, and some of the lower creek areas dangerous after heavy rain.

Gravel track through tall trees in rainforest .

An easy track…

With an initial gentle gradient through rainforest

And almost immediately, spectacular rock slabs

The track then follows the base of the canyon wall

A mossy vertical solid rock wall on right side of a gravel track in the rainforest. Large boulders on the left also are are covered in moss.

Vertical rock walls covered in moss

Before we reach the lovely and aptly named Rainbow Falls

Hiker walking past green plants from side of rock wall towards a waterfall. He is walking between the water and the rock wall.

We pass through greenery and behind a curtain of water 

Walking behind the curtain of water with the sun shining through the water

To see the eponymous rainbow

Hiker looking back at the curtain of water at a bright rainbow with moss covered rock and green leafy plants in the background.

And other delights …

Close up of a small green hooded orchid

There are orchids…

Pterostylis nutans

Leafy, nicely graded track through the rainforest lined with ferns.

And ferns

as we walk onwards through the forest to Goomolahra Falls

Close up of a small green hooded orchid

Many orchids

Pterostylis hildae (?)

Closeup of a small long stemmed fungi

Fungi abound as well.

Keep your eyes peeled!

Close up of flat fungi growing on a log. The fungi are a light brown colour about half have a green mound covering most of their surface.

Turkey Tail fungus

Man walking along leafy rainforest track with tall ferns twice his height either side

Still descending …

towards more water

Hiker walking down steps carefully watching where his feet are being placed.

In steeper sections

there are well formed steps

… And down alongside a rushing creek

A perfect spot for lunch, accompanied by the music of water

Hiker sitting on a log that lays along a large flat mossy rock slab with rushing water in the background. The sun is peeking through the tree tops.

Lunch time!

Another leafy section of well graded track through the rainforest.

Now for the climb out

through more beautiful rainforest

Hiker standing on a rock slab on the edge of a fast flowing creek.
Small stream of cascading water down a vertical waterfall

And yet more waterfalls:

here, Poonyahra Falls

and passing behind one last curtain

Hiker walking behind a curtain of water at the base of a waterfall. He is holding out his right hand to catch it in the stream of water

before climbing the canyon wall to Canyon Lookout,

with its expansive views eastwards to the Gold Coast

Helen McKerral
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