Springbrook National Park

and Lamington National Park. The Mount Cougal section of the park is located about inland from Currumbin. It was begun in 1938 with set aside, and additions over time brought it to and in 1990 it was amalgamated with the Springbrook National Park. In 1943 a bush sawmill was established near the creek, producing timber for packing crates for the local banana growers when other timber supplies were being directed towards World War II. The easily milled timbers of the flooded gum and blue fig were taken, and later various other timbers. It ceased operations in 1955 due to an especially wet winter. A small display of some of the sawmill parts was restored in 1986 at the end of the walking track. == Natural Bridge section ==

in one of the caves in the national park'' The Natural Bridge, also known as Natural Arch, is a naturally formed rock arch over Cave Creek, a tributary of the Nerang River. It was formed from a waterfall that undercut a cave beneath the waterfall and dug a pothole on top, until the two joined and the creek flowed through the cave, leaving an arch across the front. The bridge is in the territory of the local Kombumerri Aboriginal people (a family group of the Yugambeh language peoples). The first Europeans to find it is said to be timber cutters Alexander (Sandy) Duncan and Denis (Din) Guinea who where shown there by Yugambeh man Kipper Tommy in the early 1890s. Swimming is no longer permitted to protect the glowworm habitat. This applies to the area bounded by the walking track/circuit. Downstream access to the creek is allowed but the pools are too shallow for swimming. Access to this section of the park is from Nerang-Murwillumbah Road. ==Springbrook Plateau section==

Several waterfalls may be seen along relatively short tracks in the Springbrook Plateau section. The return circuit walk that begins at either the Tallanbana or Goomoolahra picnic areas passes Twin Falls, Rainbow Falls, Goomoolahra Falls, Kadjagooma Falls, Ngarri-dhum Falls, Gooroolba Falls, Poonyahra Falls, Poondahra Falls, and Blackfellow Falls. The Gwongorella picnic area is the access point for walks to Purlingbrook Falls and Tanninaba Falls. In all four sections of Springbrook National Park (Springbrook Plateau, Natural Bridge, Numinbah, and Mount Cougal) visitors can picnic, study nature and enjoy a wide range of walks in a natural environment. Springbrook Plateau section has several lookouts and viewing points. Access to the plateau and park is by a sealed road from Nerang via the Numinbah Valley or by road from Mudgeeraba. ) At between above sea level, Springbrook Plateau can be quite cool even in summer. The area averages more than of rain a year, most of which falls between December and March. Natural Bridge section receives most of its annual rainfall, , during the hot, humid summer. This is also the location where the UK television programme ''I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here!'' has been filmed. ==Environment==

Landforms The southern cliffs in Springbrook and Lamington National Park are part of the remnants of the northern rim of the huge, ancient Tweed Volcano. The Springbrook National Park comprises four reserves on and around the plateau: Springbrook Plateau section along the crest of the plateau; Mount Cougal section to the east; and Natural Bridge and Numinbah sections to the west. The cliffs are resistant, volcanic based rhyolite. Rock overhangs are common and massive rock falls sometimes dislodge house-sized rocks. Other more fire-prone areas support open forests dominated by New England blackbutt and Blue Mountains ash. Due to land clearing in the hinterland district, Springbrook National Park has become a haven for birds. In total the park provides habitat for more than a hundred different bird species, including the yellow-tailed black cockatoo, rufous fantail, satin bowerbird, whipbird, and the Albert's lyrebird. Long-finned eels are commonly found in the pools of the plateau and there are numerous reptiles such as the land mullet which is the world's largest species of skink, lace monitor, and amphibious species like the orange-eyed treefrog, and great barred frog. The rare Richmond birdwing butterfly, blue spiny crayfish, and glow-worms, the larvae of the fungus fly, are found in the park. Red-necked pademelons and koalas can also be seen. ==Recreation==

Bush camping is not permitted. There is one camping area in Carricks Road. ==See also==