Springbrook National Park

A plateau of ancient rainforest on the rim of an old volcano in the Gold Coast hinterland, part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area. The drive up is full of lookouts and short walks.

Highlights include Purling Brook Falls, which drop 109 m, with a circuit walk that goes down to its base; the Twin Falls circuit, where the path goes behind the waterfalls; and the Best of All Lookout, reached through a grove of ancient Antarctic beech trees, with views to Mt Warning. The Natural Bridge section, with its glow-worm cave, is on the other side of the park.

You may see wallabies, brush turkeys and colourful birds such as king parrots. There are cafés and galleries along the road, and it's much cooler than the coast, so bring a jumper.