It's evocative knowing the history of an area while standing inside its crevices and viewing the world from the veil of its tumbling waterfall. Before embarking on the Twin Falls circuit walk in
Springbrook National Park there are a few things visitors need to know to truly appreciate the area, a brief geological history lesson is needed.
Twin Falls - looking through a veil of water
Twin Falls is in the Springbrook plateau area of the park. The plateau is the remnant of the north side of a massive shield volcano, 80 kilometres in diameter and 2000 metres high. It was built almost entirely from fluid lava that seeped gently and continuously from vents. The volcano died off 10 million years ago but not before covering the landscape in volcanic rock which has been eroded by weather and water over time to create the Mount Warning caldera, of which the Springbrook plateau is a section. The caldera is the largest and is considered to be the best of its age in the world. OK, lesson over, next stop Twin Falls.
Springbrook plateau with its sheer cliffs is the result of volcanic activity over 10 million years ago
The falls are accessible via a Class-3 walking track starting at either Tallanbana picnic area or Canyon lookout, a reasonable level of fitness is required and while the track is well-defined, exposed roots and rocks could trip the unwary. Walkers have the choice of two tracks; two kilometres direct to the falls returning the same way - about one hour walking, or the four kilometre circuit, to the falls then continuing on the loop track - about two to three hours walking. My fairly fit six-year-old managed the full circuit without any difficulty in two hours, but children must be closely supervised during this walk as there are many cliff edges and all creeks on the plateau lead to a high waterfall.
There are several rock clefts along the path to Twin Falls
The first section of the walk to Twin Falls passes through rock clefts and beside volcanic rock cliffs. The path zigzags down through subtropical rainforest and emerges at a junction, briefly splitting to pass either behind the falls or in front of the falls. Explore both tracks here, the waterfall plummeting into the cool green pool is equally as impressive from in front as from behind.
Twin Falls from the front. A dry winter has temporarily snuffed one of the twins
Continuing on the circuit, walkers pass through more subtropical rainforest with piccabeen palms, tree ferns, vines and strangler figs, and under weathered rock overhangs to Blackfellow Falls. Here the track passes under the falls, expect to get wet.
Expect to get wet passing Blackfellow Falls
The change in vegetation is evident during the climb back to the cliff top. Subtropical rainforest at the cliff base becomes temperate rainforest with pink-tinged brush box trees, then eucalypt forest, and finally, rugged prickly-leaved heath plants such as the golden banksia at the crest.
Stunning views from Morton Island to Point Danger
It's at the top of the circuit that the eucalypts open out to a view over Springbrook National Park to the coast – from Morton Island in the north to Point Danger in the south, complete with tiny Surfers Paradise high-rises in the distance. It's smugly satisfying to see the glitter strip reduced to the size of an ant.
Surfers Paradise - a tiny speck in the distance
Due to a dry winter Twin Falls had decreased to one single fall and a trickle when I visited but was still an impressive sight. A good rain and it would be spectacular.
Please note: This track is undergoing reconstruction works and sections are temporarily closed during weekdays. I walked the complete track on Sunday August 7th 2011 with no restrictions or obstructions. Please check
here for more information.
