Best of All Lookout, Springbrook: The Walk, the View and When to Go

TL;DR: Best of All Lookout is at the southern end of Springbrook National Park, about 45 minutes to an hour from the Gold Coast. A 600-metre return walk takes you through ancient Antarctic beech forest to a lookout over the Tweed caldera and Wollumbin (Mount Warning). On a clear day, you can see across northern New South Wales towards the coast. Go when the weather is clear, but keep in mind that the lookout can be shrouded in cloud even when it’s sunny on the coast.

On a clear morning, you step out of the cool forest and onto the rim of an ancient volcanic caldera. The Tweed Valley spreads out below, Wollumbin rises from the middle, and the coastline stretches away into the distance.

That’s the view from Best of All Lookout when the weather plays along, and it’s easy to see where the name comes from. Here’s what you can expect on the walk, what you’re looking at, and how to give yourself the best chance of seeing it.

How Long Is the Walk to Best of All Lookout?

The Best of All Lookout track is short and easy. Queensland Parks lists it as a 600-metre return walk, Grade 2, with about 30 minutes of walking time. Grade 2 tracks are formed and don’t require previous bushwalking experience, although you can expect some gentle hills or steps.

It starts at the end of Repeater Station Road on the Springbrook Plateau. The track takes you through cool temperate rainforest and ancient Antarctic beech forest before reaching the lookout. Queensland Parks describes the Antarctic beech as a relic of an earlier, cooler and wetter age, with some trees around 3,000 years old.

You’ll notice the difference in the forest almost immediately. The air is cool and damp, and the trees are covered in moss and lichen. Roots twist across the ground, and the beech trees have the gnarled, weathered look you’d expect from something that has been growing here for a very long time.

It is a short walk, but give yourself enough time to enjoy the forest rather than treating it as a 30-minute dash to the lookout.

What Can You See From the Lookout?

Best of All Lookout sits on the edge of the Tweed caldera, the eroded remains of the extinct Tweed shield volcano.

The view looks across northern New South Wales, with Wollumbin (Mount Warning) standing at the centre of the old caldera. Queensland Parks describes Wollumbin as the lava plug at the centre of the erosion caldera. On a clear day, you can also see the surrounding ranges and coastline.

Wollumbin is also a culturally significant place for the Bundjalung people, so it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate that you’re looking at more than just a geological landmark.

And yes, there’s a fair bit of geology to take in before brekkie. That’s not a bad thing when the view is this good.

When Is the Best Time to Go?

The simplest answer is: go on a clear day and check the forecast before you leave.

Springbrook’s elevation means the weather can be very different from the Gold Coast below. Queensland Parks specifically warns that the plateau’s lookouts are often shrouded by clouds even when the weather is fine and sunny on the coast. For the best views, it recommends visiting on clear, smoke-free days.

The park can also be cool and rainy at any time of year, so bring warm clothing and a raincoat even if the forecast looks promising down on the coast.

If you arrive to find the lookout wrapped in mist, don’t write the whole trip off. The forest is still worth the walk, and clouds can change quickly in the mountains.

How Can You Tell If You’ll Get the View?

You can’t know for certain, but you can give yourself a better chance.

Check the forecast for Springbrook itself. Don’t rely only on the Gold Coast forecast. Conditions on the plateau can be quite different.

Look for clear weather. Queensland Parks recommends clear, smoke-free days for the best views.

Check park alerts before you leave. Heavy rain, high winds and other extreme weather can affect access around the national park.

Give yourself some flexibility. If the lookout is covered in clouds when you arrive, you can still enjoy the forest and visit another lookout nearby.

Bring a jacket. Springbrook can be cool and wet even when it’s warm on the coast.

How Do You Get the Best of All Lookout?

Best of All Lookout is about 45 minutes to an hour from the Gold Coast, depending on where you start. From the Pacific Motorway, you can reach the Springbrook Plateau via Mudgeeraba or Nerang. Queensland Parks describes the roads up to the plateau as steep, winding and narrow, so take your time, particularly in wet or foggy conditions.

The Best of All Lookout track starts at the end of Repeater Station Road. There is a car park at the trailhead, although parking can be limited.

Springbrook National Park is open 24 hours, but Queensland Parks recommends walking in daylight hours unless you’re visiting Natural Bridge to see the glow-worms. Check park alerts before setting off, particularly after heavy rain or during severe weather.

What Else Is Nearby?

Plenty. Springbrook National Park has several lookouts and walking tracks that you can combine into a day out.

Canyon Lookout is only a 30-metre return walk and gives you another view across the valley and towards the coast.

Purling Brook Falls has a 4km circuit, but take note of the current safety restrictions. Access to the top and base of the falls is prohibited because these areas are unstable and prone to rockfalls.

Natural Bridge, in the Numinbah section of the park, has a 1km circuit leading to the natural rock formation and waterfall inside the cave. The cave is also home to one of Australia’s largest glow-worm colonies, which is why the area is particularly popular after dark. Access to Cave Creek and the creek bank is prohibited, so stick to the designated track and viewing areas.

Before You Go

Best of All Lookout is a short walk with a big pay-off, provided the cloud stays away. Check the weather, pack a jacket and give yourself enough time to enjoy the forest along the way.

If you’d rather leave the winding mountain roads to someone else, our Natural Arch and Springbrook tour from the Gold Coast stops at Best of All Lookout. Our Glow Worm Evening Tour also visits Natural Bridge after dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the walk to Best of All Lookout?

Queensland Parks lists the Best of All Lookout track as a 600-metre return walk, with about 30 minutes of walking time. It’s a Grade 2 track.

What can you see from Best of All Lookout?

The lookout offers views across northern New South Wales and the Tweed caldera, with Wollumbin (Mount Warning) at the centre. On a clear day, you can also see the surrounding ranges and coastline.

How far is Best of All Lookout from the Gold Coast?

Allow roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car, depending on where you’re starting from. The Springbrook Plateau can be reached from the Gold Coast via Mudgeeraba or Nerang.

When is the best time to visit Best of All Lookout?

A clear day is your best bet for the view. The lookout can be covered in clouds even when the Gold Coast is sunny, so check the forecast for Springbrook itself before you leave. Queensland Parks recommends clear, smoke-free days for the best views.

Are the Antarctic beech trees at Springbrook really ancient?

Yes. Antarctic beech (Nothofagus moorei) is a relic of an earlier, cooler and wetter period. Queensland Parks says some of the trees at Springbrook are around 3,000 years old. The species is also part of the park’s connection to the ancient Gondwanan forests.