Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge and waterfall


The Natural Bridge is an unusual feature of Springbrook National Park in that Cave Creek actually spills into a hole and through a natural rock span. For that reason alone, it was memorable to us since I can't recall when was the last time we had ever seen a waterfall and natural bridge in the same setting!

We experienced this waterfall and arch with a short (1km), well-developed circuit walk with interpretive signs throughout. There were also plenty of lookouts with railings strategically positioned to allow us plenty of looks at the falls and arch from various angles and positions. The park recommended doing the track in a clockwise manner due to the presence of steps, and I think that was how we did it.

At the bottom of the walkway, wooden boardwalks eventually descend into stairs leading right into the dark cave-like archway. From here, we were able to see the base of the waterfall as see in the photo above. If we had a real wide angle camera, perhaps we could've juxtaposed both the waterfall and the natural bridge in one shot (instead of the partial one you see above).

Entering the dark archway and caveAt the top of the walkway, there was a spur path that took us to the top of the hole where the waterfall spilled into. From this vantage point, the waterfall assumed a more classical cascading shape except it disappeared into the hole.

It was too bad we were only able to come here during the daytime because at night, it's said that glow worms light up the arched caveway at the base of the falls. That would've certainly have been a first for us if it was possible for us to do it (I'm not sure if the park allows visitors after dark). The signs indicated that the worms aren't as abundant in the Winter months (Dry Season), but they are there all year round. Plus, given the fragile nature of the ecosystem here, we noticed they've closed off old trails and scrambles that would've led us closer to the creek itself than the established walkway allowed.

Directions: We drove to this waterfall from Byron Bay, but we managed to do a rather roundabout drive taking the second Tweed Valley Way exit from the Pacific Hwy (Hwy 1) instead of the first Tweed Valley Way exit (Route 40). Either way, it eventually junctioned with Hwy 97 near Murwillumbah, and the Hwy 97 became Nerang Rd. The short spur to the car park (well signposted) was on the right about 24km from Murwillumbah on the Hwy 97.

Note if you want to see this attraction and Purling Brook Falls, there is no direct shortcut connecting the Nerang Rd and Springbrook Rd. However, further north on the Hwy 97 (as alluded to in the Purling Brook Falls page), there's the 1.4km Pine Creek Road connecting the two roads thereby shortening the drive by not having to go all the way towards the Gold Coast area before climbing back up towards Springbrook National Park.

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We saw a lyrebird at the car parkWe saw a bush turkey (not a lyrebird; thanks Ben from Brissie for pointing this out) at the car park

Leaving the cave areaLeaving the cave area

The top of the falls entering the arched cavewayThe top of the falls entering the arched caveway

Direct view of the natural span revealing the base of the fallsDirect view of the natural span revealing the base of the falls

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Looking into the natural bridge with the base of the falls in the backdrop illuminating the darkness


Looking at the base of the waterfall from within the darkness of the cave area


The waterfall falling into the hole


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Not a lyrebird Not rated yet
Hey Johnny, that's actually a bush turkey. Very common to the area. Lyrebirds tend to be a little more rare

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