Backyard Tourist: Why you’ve got to see Natural Bridge

IF you’re a true blue Gold Coaster, it’s just unnatural if you haven’t been to this green piece of paradise. Here’s why you should check out Natural Bridge this weekend.

IF you’re a true blue Gold Coaster, it’s just unnatural if you haven’t been to this green piece of paradise.

Springbrook National Park’s stunning Natural Bridge is in our backyard — but it’s also been crowned a king of screen savers around the world … as well as an evergreen Instagram hit.

With a stunning waterfall pouring through a skylight hole in an erosive basalt cave — one that’s also home to thousands of glow worms and a colony of tiny bent-wing bats — it’s little wonder why.

The stunning Natural Bridge on the Gold Coast. Photo: @badblue/Instagram

Start the short one kilometre subtropical circuit clockwise from the car park and descend through ancient Gondwana rainforest to the Natural Bridge rock arch.

A sealed circuit track takes you through the forest, across Cave Creek and into the arched cave to witness the waterfall plunging from above.

Interpretative signs along the circuit highlight the park’s special features.

Take special note of the hoop pines Araucaria cunninghamii, living relics of the Jurassic Age about 180 million years ago.

These pines are ‘living dinosaurs’ and are among the most primitive of conifers.

While the walk is brief — about 30 minutes — it’s worth visiting the site twice … or hanging around for sunset so you can spot the glow-worms and microbats. On summer nights, you can also see luminous fungi and fireflies.

Springbrook makes for a stunning photo location. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

The drive to Natural Bridge, via the Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, is part of the fun — winding you through beautiful, unspoilt mountain scenery and tiny valley hamlets to the cusp of the NSW border.

While you can no longer swim in the cave pool, you can cool off at the swimming hole just before the turn-off to the arch. The creek is perfect for a splash or some lazy tubing, and the barbecue and toilet facilities make it a great stop for a picnic.

EAT AND DRINK

While you’re spoiled for choice with some great picnic spots and facilities, there are still options if BYO is not your bag. Try the Natural Arch Cafe — also known as the Two Pines Cafe, just a convenient few kilometres down the road. Lounge on the deck with its beautiful view of the valley while you enjoy some good old-fashioned tucker. Think milk bar-style burgers, sandwiches, coffee, tea, chips, wedges and scones. While you’re waiting, enjoy looking at some of the quaint — and odd — knick-knacks on display.

Natural Arch Cafe.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE … DO

One of the best ways to really see this amazing countryside up close is on horseback — and you can saddle up with the nearby Numinbah Valley Adventure Trails.

Operated from a 2500-acre cattle property in the heart of the Numinbah Valley, you can choose a two or three-hour ride which includes a traditional billy tea and damper.

Every ride takes you to scenic lookouts as you meander your way down to river flats and creek crossings. Adult rides start from $95 and children from $85.

Peter Spida Everitt at Numinbah Valley Adventure Trails

DISCOVER

The evening show from the glow-worms and microbats might get all the attention, but there’s plenty to see at a midday matinee visit to Natural Bridge.

During the day spot paradise riflebirds, green catbirds, wompoo fruit-doves and also rare and threatened species like the cascade tree frog, tusked frog, sooty owl and koala.

Also keep an eye out for skinks and lace monitors, beautiful rainforest birds and even pademelons (that’s a little marsupial that looks like a mini-kangaroo for the uninitiated).