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Went for a mothers day drive to Springbrook National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland about an hour south of Brisbane.

Springbrook is part of the world heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia which include the most extensive tracts of subtropical rainforest in the world.

Almost the whole of Australia was covered in these rainforests until the climate changed and they retreated to the highland areas of the east coast of Australia.

The Gondwana border range National Parks along the nsw/qld border behind the Gold Coast contain the "highest concentration of frog, snake, bird and marsupial species in Australia."

"The Gondwana Rainforests provide an interesting living link with the evolution of Australia. Few places on earth contain so many plants and animals which remain relatively unchanged from their ancestors in the fossil record.

Some of the oldest elements of the world's ferns and conifers are found here and there is a concentration of primitive plant families that are direct links with the birth and spread of flowering plants over 100 million years ago"

See: http://www.environment.gov.au/node/19758

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We left the M1 south at Mudgeeraba and travelled up the Gold Coast Springbrook Rd.

We passed The Old Teahouse Gallery.

The Old Teahouse Gallery by fish.2, on Flickr

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The first attraction we stopped at was the Purling Brooks Falls. There has not been much rain lately but it is spectacular at full flow. We still had some water going over the top:


Purling Brook Falls by fish.2, on Flickr


Purling Brook Falls by fish.2, on Flickr

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There is a lovely mural on the Springbrook Community Hall:

Springbrook Community Hall by fish.2, on Flickr

Local Aboriginal Names by fish.2, on Flickr

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We then headed to the aptly named Best of All Lookout:

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Some rare large antarctic beech trees on the way:

Antarctic Beech Trees by fish.2, on Flickr

Antarctic Beech Trees by fish.2, on Flickr

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

The QLS/NSW border runs along the ridge to the left:

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

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Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

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The view from the lookout is stunning. The photo doesn't do it justice. You can see the Coolangatta/Tweed Heads area, Murwillimbah in NSW, Bryon Bay, Mt Warning etc.

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Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Best of All Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Best of all Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Lookout anyone ? by fish.2, on Flickr

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We then popped over to Canyon lookout for a late lunch:

Canyon Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Canyon Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Canyon Lookout - Gold Coast by fish.2, on Flickr

Rosellas at Canyon Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Rosellas at Canyon Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Rosellas at Canyon Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

Rosellas at Canyon Lookout by fish.2, on Flickr

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It was a nice little day out...hope you enjoyed our snaps.

Jilliebee

Beautiful photographs. Looks like a stunning day out

curly

Fabulous photos, it always amazes me when people go to the Gold Coast on holiday and never visit the hinterland!

Molly Coddle

Cracking photos ! Purling Brook Falls looks beautiful.

Kapri

Thank you Fish, what fab pics. Spring brook is definitely on my list.
We go regularly to Barrington Tops, an hour and a half from us, it's the start of the Gondwana rainforest. I love it, it's one of my main reasons for wanting to come to Australia

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Thanks everyone. Am going to try and explore more of the Gondwana border ranges this year.

Love this photo on the internet of Mt Warning:


Source: http://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net...Rains_main.jpg