Natural Bridge is a rock arch formation with waterfall and glow-worm cave in the Natural Bridge section of Springbrook National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland, Queensland, approximately 100 kilometres south of Brisbane. This guide covers opening times, admission, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this World Heritage rainforest attraction.
The formation is a popular stop on Springbrook and Tamborine rainforest day tours from Brisbane, which also visit Curtis Falls, the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves and Hinze Dam.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening times | Open 24 hours a day, year-round. Unstaffed site. |
| Admission | Free entry. No tickets required. |
| Address | Nerang Murwillumbah Road and Bakers Road, Springbrook, Queensland 4213 |
| Getting there | 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise, 90 minutes from Brisbane. No public transport. Sealed roads accessible by standard vehicles. |
| Time needed | 30 minutes to 1 hour for the circuit walk. Evening visits for glow-worms add 40-60 minutes. |
Natural Bridge opening times
Natural Bridge is open 24 hours a day, year-round. There are no gates, staff or operating hours. The site can be visited at any time, though most visitors come during daylight (08:00-17:00) or after dark (19:00-21:00) to see glow-worms.
The car park, toilets and picnic facilities are accessible at all times. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers patrol the site and conduct compliance checks on commercial tour operators.
Why book the Springbrook & Tamborine Rainforest tour from Brisbane?
- Explore World Heritage rainforest: Wander through ancient rainforest landscapes in Springbrook and Tamborine, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
- See Natural Bridge: Visit the stunning Natural Bridge rock formation and its cascading waterfall — a highlight of the region.
- Glow-worm cave experience: Enjoy the magical sight of glow-worms lighting up a cave in the rainforest after dusk.
- Expert local guide: Learn about the unique flora, fauna and geology of the Gold Coast hinterland from a knowledgeable guide.
- Comfortable day trip from Brisbane: Includes transport so you can relax and enjoy waterfalls, lookouts and rainforest walks without needing to plan logistics.
Natural Bridge admission prices
Entry to Natural Bridge is completely free. There are no admission charges, tickets or booking requirements. Parking is also free. The site is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service as part of Springbrook National Park.
Opening times and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
How to get to Natural Bridge
From Surfers Paradise or the Gold Coast, take the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road west through the Numinbah Valley. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Look for brown tourist signs marked “Natural Bridge” on the left-hand side near the Queensland-New South Wales border. Turn left onto Bakers Road. The car park is a few hundred metres from the main road.
From Brisbane, allow 90 minutes via the M1 Pacific Motorway, then Nerang-Murwillumbah Road. The route involves winding mountain roads with numerous bends. Drive to the conditions and watch for wildlife crossing.
There is no public transport to Natural Bridge. Visitors without cars can join organised tours from Brisbane, the Gold Coast or Byron Bay, which often combine Natural Bridge with other Springbrook attractions. Guided glow-worm tours typically operate in the evening.
Parking at Natural Bridge
A free car park is located at the trailhead. The car park accommodates standard cars and small coaches. Spaces are not individually marked. The surface is sealed tarmac.
The car park can fill quickly during peak times, particularly between 10:00-14:00 on weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Arriving before 09:00 or after 15:00 helps avoid crowds. Evening visitors for glow-worms should expect limited parking between 19:30-20:30.
Tour coaches arrive regularly throughout the day and may occupy multiple spaces. The access road is narrow with limited passing places.
How long to spend at Natural Bridge
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to 1 hour completing the Natural Bridge Circuit walk. The sealed 1-kilometre loop track typically takes 20-30 minutes at a moderate pace. Visitors photographing the waterfall or observing wildlife may prefer 45-60 minutes.
Evening glow-worm visits require 40-60 minutes. Allow 10-15 minutes to walk from the car park to the cave after dark, 15-20 minutes viewing glow-worms, and 15-20 minutes to return in darkness.
Visitors combining Natural Bridge with other Springbrook attractions (Purling Brook Falls, Best of All Lookout) typically allocate 3-5 hours for the wider area.
Accessibility at Natural Bridge
The Natural Bridge Circuit is not wheelchair accessible. The sealed path includes multiple flights of stairs descending into the rainforest and climbing back out. The total elevation change is approximately 30-40 metres.
Visitors with limited mobility can view information boards and forest vegetation from the car park area. The first 50 metres of the track from the car park are relatively flat before stairs begin.
Accessible toilets are provided in the car park facilities. Picnic tables near the car park are accessible. The cave viewing area itself involves narrow paths and uneven rock surfaces unsuitable for mobility aids.
Visitors should wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear. The path can be slippery when wet. Handrails are provided on stairways.
What to see at Natural Bridge
The Natural Bridge rock arch spans Cave Creek, formed over millions of years by waterfall erosion. Water plunges through a hole in the basalt rock into a cave below, creating the bridge formation. The waterfall drops approximately 10 metres into the cave pool.
The 1-kilometre circuit walk (recommended clockwise direction) descends through Gondwana rainforest featuring hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii), strangler figs (Ficus watkinsiana), giant stinging trees and tree ferns. Information boards explain the geology, rainforest ecology and glow-worm biology.
Inside the cave, thousands of glow-worms (larvae of Arachnocampa flava) produce bioluminescent light to attract prey. The glow-worms are visible year-round but display most actively after dark. Summer months (December-March) offer the strongest displays.
Wildlife includes paradise riflebirds, green catbirds, wompoo fruit-doves, cascade treefrogs, tusked frogs, sooty owls and koalas. Small bent-wing bats inhabit the cave.
Restricted access areas: Swimming in Cave Creek is prohibited. Access to the creek bank is prohibited. These restrictions protect the fragile glow-worm habitat and visitor safety. Persons found in restricted areas face fines.
Practical tips for visiting Natural Bridge
| Tip |
|---|
| Walk the circuit clockwise (turn left from the car park) for an easier descent and gentler return climb. |
| Bring a torch for evening glow-worm visits. Allow at least one torch between two people. Do not shine torches directly on glow-worms as this causes them to stop glowing. |
| Remain quiet in the cave area as noise disturbs glow-worms and other visitors trying to observe them. |
| Do not use camera flash, smoking or insect repellent inside the cave. These can harm or kill glow-worms. |
| The path becomes slippery after rain. Wear closed-toe walking shoes with good grip. |
| Mobile phone reception is limited or non-existent. Download offline maps before arriving. |
| No rubbish bins are provided. Take all rubbish home. |
| Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Bring a rain jacket even on clear days. |
Facilities at Natural Bridge
Toilets including accessible facilities are located in the car park area. Sheltered picnic tables are provided near the car park with a giant fig tree providing additional shade. No electric barbecues are available at Natural Bridge (available at other Springbrook picnic areas).
No food, drink or shop facilities are available on site. The nearest services are in Nerang (approximately 35 kilometres), Murwillumbah (approximately 20 kilometres) or on the Springbrook plateau.
Drinking water is not available. Bring sufficient water, especially in summer when temperatures can exceed 30°C and humidity is high.
Information boards at the car park and along the circuit provide details about geology, flora, fauna and glow-worm ecology.
Frequently asked questions about Natural Bridge
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Natural Bridge suitable for children? | Yes. The circuit walk is suitable for families with children who can manage stairs. Children must be supervised, particularly near the cave where paths are narrow and surfaces uneven. |
| Do you need to book to visit Natural Bridge? | No. The site is free to access at all times with no booking required. Commercial tour operators require permits. |
| Is Natural Bridge open on Sundays? | Yes. The site is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. |
| Are dogs allowed at Natural Bridge? | No. Dogs and other pets are not permitted in Springbrook National Park to protect native wildlife. Assistance dogs may be permitted; contact Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. |
| Can you see glow-worms during the day at Natural Bridge? | Glow-worms are present year-round but their bioluminescent light is only visible in darkness. Visit after sunset (typically 19:00-21:00 depending on season). |
| Can you swim at Natural Bridge? | No. Swimming in Cave Creek and the cave is strictly prohibited. Access to creek banks is also prohibited. These restrictions protect the glow-worm habitat and ensure visitor safety. Bochow Park campsite nearby permits swimming. |
Visiting glow-worms at Natural Bridge
Best viewing times are after dark, typically 19:00-21:00 depending on the season. Glow-worms are present year-round but display most actively during warmer months (December-March). Autumn and winter displays are less intense.
Essential rules for glow-worm viewing:
- Bring torches but do not shine them directly on glow-worms
- Remain quiet to avoid disturbing the organisms
- No camera flash or artificial lights in the cave
- No smoking or insect repellent near the cave
- Stay on designated paths
The cave viewing area is small and can become crowded when tour groups arrive. Independent visitors arriving before 19:00 or after 20:30 typically encounter fewer crowds. Some glow-worms can be spotted along the walking track outside the cave if lights are turned off.
Things to do near Natural Bridge
Purling Brook Falls (20 kilometres) offers a 4-kilometre circuit walk descending to the base of a 100-metre waterfall through rainforest with rock pools. The walk takes 1.5-2 hours.
Best of All Lookout (25 kilometres) provides panoramic views across the Gold Coast to the Pacific Ocean from the Springbrook plateau. A 300-metre walking track leads through Antarctic beech trees to the viewing platform.
Twin Falls Circuit (22 kilometres) is a 4-kilometre moderate walk featuring multiple cascades and creek crossings through Gondwana rainforest. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Lamington National Park (35 kilometres) offers extensive walking tracks including the Tree Top Walk suspended canopy walkway, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Elabana Falls.
Bochow Park (5 kilometres) provides river swimming, picnic facilities and camping near Natural Bridge. Swimming is permitted in designated areas. Day use free; camping fees apply.
