Springbrook, Queensland

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Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use Australian English Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Springbrook is a rural town and locality in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] The locality borders New South Wales.[4]

In the Template:CensusAU, the locality of Springbrook had a population of 705.[1]

Geography

The plateau is covered in subtropical rainforest and crossed by many small creeks. The area has excellent views to the Gold Coast and is known for its cliffs, waterfalls and forest walks, most of which are protected in the Springbrook National Park.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Road access to this eastern Scenic Rim mountain is via Mudgeeraba along the Springbrook Road and from Numinbah Valley via Pine Creek Road. To the south of Springbrook is the Tweed Range, west is the Numinbah Valley and the Lamington Plateau. Both the Nimmel Range and Tamborine Mountain are to the north, as is Hinze Dam while the peak of Mount Nimmel is at the north eastern tip. The plateau is part of a biodiversity hot spot. It is part of the Scenic Rim Important Birdlife Area.[5] Pademelons are commonly seen by visitors.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Springbrook Plateau is the remains of the Tweed Volcano—now known as Mount Warning and the Tweed Valley.[6] The plateau is an undulating elevated patch that extends north from the southern, forested heights, close to Mount Cougal, just to the east. These subtropical rainforests are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and contain the rare Antarctic beech trees.[6] Springbrook plateau has been described as "the Switzerland of Queensland" and a unique wonder.[7] Springbrook was widely considered to be part of the McPherson Range.[7] As the area's geology was understood it has now come to be typically described as a distinct plateau landform.

The plateau is highly visible on the western horizon from the Gold Coast coastal strip. Springbrook Plateau is in the water catchment area for Tallebudgera Creek and the larger Nerang River dammed by the Hinze Dam, a significant part of the region's water supply infrastructure. Little Nerang Creek flows into Little Nerang Dam (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) in the north of the locality.[8] The Natural Bridge is a rock arch and waterfall on the western slopes of the plateau. A triangulation station is located close to Mount Thillinmam at Bilbrough Lookout. Mobile reception is generally poor at Springbrook.[9]

Mountains

The locality of Springbrook contains the following mountains, passes, and gorges, from north to south:

  • Mount Wunburra (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) Script error: No such module "convert".[10][11]
  • Mount Nimmel (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) Script error: No such module "convert".[10][12]
  • Salmons Saddle, a mountain pass (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[10][13]
  • Fairview Mountain (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) Script error: No such module "convert".[10][14]
  • The Pinnacle (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) Script error: No such module "convert".[10][15]
  • The Canyon, a gorge (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[10][16]
  • Mount Thillinmam (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) Script error: No such module "convert".[10][17]
  • Springbrook Mountain (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) Script error: No such module "convert".[10][18]
  • Mount Mumdjin (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) Script error: No such module "convert".[19][4]

Water features

File:Purlingbrook Falls edit.jpg
Purlingbrook Falls

The mountainous terrain gives rise to many waterfalls and other water features, including, from north to south:

  • Horseshoe Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[20]
  • Tinninaba Falls, also known as Taninaba Falls and Rankins Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[21]
  • Purling Brook Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[22]
  • Hell Hole, a waterhole (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[23]
  • Gooroolba Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[24]
  • Poonyahra Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[25]
  • Poondahra Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[26]
  • Blackfellow Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[27]
  • Ngarri-Dhum Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[28]
  • Kadjagooma Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".).[29]
  • Bijungoolahra Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[30]
  • Boojerahla Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[31]
  • Reads Falls, also known as Talangagong Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[32]
  • Boojerooma Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[33]
  • Bilbrough Falls, also known as Goomoolahra Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[34]
  • Rush Creek Falls, also known as Tallanbana Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[35]
  • Tamarramai Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[36]
  • Twin Falls (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[37]

Climate

Due to its close proximity to the coast, the high elevations and subtropical latitude, Springbrook has a wet climate with mild temperatures. Rainfall at the now closed Upper Springbrook BOM rainfall station averaged Script error: No such module "convert". annually over 90 years. Springbrook is the only place in subtropical Australia to exceed Script error: No such module "convert". average rainfall making it probably the wettest place between Townsville and Tasmania.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Exceptionally rainy periods have been recorded in some wet years including; Script error: No such module "convert". of rainfall recorded in a 24-hour period before an unnamed cyclone crossed the coast at Coolangatta on 20 February 1954.[38]

During a remarkable rainy period, Springbrook received Script error: No such module "convert". in the month of June 1967.[39] In January 2013, Script error: No such module "convert". of rain fell over a period of just 4 days, due to the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Oswald. Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In March 2017, Script error: No such module "convert". of rain fell[40] in part due to Cyclone Debbie, Script error: No such module "convert". of which was recorded at Upper Springbrook on 31 March 2017, causing enough damage to cut off the two access routes into Springbrook and leaving many residents without electricity.[41]

Flora and Fauna

Springbrook has a rich biodiversity that is among the highest diversity of flora, fauna and fungi in Subtropical Australia. Habitat types include Montane Sclerophyll Forests dominated by temperate eucalyptus trees such as New England Blackbutt (Eucalyptus campanulata) and Blue Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus oreades) both of which are near their Northern limit of distribution. Rocky outcrops and cliffs support Montane Heath shrublands dominated by Tea Trees Leptospermum variable and L. petersonii, Mountain Bottlebrush Melaleuca montana and Cliff Bottlebrush M. comboynensis. The Giant Rosette Plant Doryanthes palmeri is present on cliffs. Many threatened and endemic flora species are present notably the Endangered Springbrook Leatherwood Eucryphia jinksii which is endemic to the region and otherwise only found within the nearby Numinbah Nature Reserve in northern New South Wales.

Four main types of Rainforest occur on Springbrook; Dry Rainforest, Subtropical Rainforest, Warm Temperate Rainforest and small patches of Cool Temperate Rainforest on the highest peaks. The dominance and diversity of trees varies between rainforest types.[42] Dry rainforest occurs in small patches on the Northern and Western sections of Springbrook and features Hoop Pine Araucaria cunninghamii, Cinnamon Myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia, Yellow Tulip Drypetes deplanchei and Lace Bark Brachychiton discolor. Subtropical rainforest favors the rich red basaltic soils of the main plateau over 100 tree species can be present however, signature species of this type include White Booyong Argyrodendron trifoliolatum, Black Booyong Argyrodendron actinophyllum, Strangler Figs Ficus spp. and Giant Stinging Tree Dendrocnide excelsa. Much of this forest type was cleared for agriculture in the early 20th century.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Warm Temperate Rainforest grows on low fertility soils derived from Rhyolite and has fewer tree species than subtropical types. Dominant trees of the warm temperate rainforest include Coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum, Callicoma Callicoma serratifolia and occasionally Springbrook Leatherwood Eucryphia jinksii. Cool Temperate Rainforest is restricted to a single area above 1000m altitude near the Best of All Lookout. This forest type features Antarctic Beech Nothofagus moorei trees are likely to be thousands of years old and are covered in mosses, orchids and filmy ferns which thrive in the moist cloudy micro-climate. The highest altitude rainforests on Springbrook meet the definition of Subtropical Montane Cloud Forests.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The Springbrook plateau is very rich in native animals including; marsupials, frogs, birds, lizards, snakes and invertebrates such as Spiny Freshwater Crayfish. Paddymelon Wallabies are among the most commonly sighted marsupials but Bettongs, Bandicoots, Swamp Wallabies are also common ground dwelling mammals. Arboreal mammals include mountain brushtail and ring tailed possums and the rare Eastern Pygmy Possum has also been recorded. Frogs include the threatened Fleay's Barred Frog Mixophyes fleayi, Marsupial Frog Assa darlingtonii and Mountain Frog Philoria loveridgei. Birds are abundant and diverse, the most noteworthy being perhaps Albert's Lyrebird and a true bird of paradise the Paradise Riflebird. Three species of Bowerbird are present being the Satin, Regent and Green Catbird.

Reptiles include the Border Leaf Tailed Gecko (Saltuarius swainii) The Land Mullet Skink, Stephen's Banded Snake, Eastern Tiger Snake, Carpet Python, Red Bellied Black Snake.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Invertebrates include the Lamington Spiny Crayfish Euastacus sulcatus and the Smaller Springbrook Crayfish Euastacus maidae. A new species of Phasmid Stick Insect was recently discovered at Springbrook and Named Parapodacanthus ailaketoae. Large flightless ground beetles include on the higher Springbrook plateau Nurus perater and at lower elevations at Mt Cougal, Tallebudgera and Natural Bridge Nurus moorei. The striking blue and red Mountain Katydid Acripeza reticulata and Tim Tam Bug Zopherosis georgei that resembles a chocolate biscuit have also been recorded at Springbrook.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

History

Springbrook was originally known as the Numinbah Plateau.[43]

The timbered plateau was settled relatively late with both the area's inaccessibility and timber reserve status acting as deterrents.[44] In 1906, the area ceased to be a timber reserve and was opened for agricultural settlement.[43] In the same year the first group of settlers, including James Hardy, arrived from northern New South Wales and referred to the new settlement as Springwood. However it was changed to Springbrook to avoid confusion with mail deliveries to another Springwood located in the Blue Mountains.[45] Following the request of postal officials to change the name to avoid confusion with another location in New South Wales, the area became known as Springbrook.[46][47]

Dairying was encouraged but the settlers found farming difficult and instead cleared for the land for timber.[48] By the 1930s Springbrook was almost completely cleared of trees.[45]

Springbrook State School opened on 25 April 1911.[49] A memorial to the pioneering settlers of the area was built in 1961 to celebrate 50 years since opening of the Springbrook State School.[50] The school closed in 1971.[49]

Tourism has been the major industry since the 1920s, with many guesthouses opening during this period.[48] A decent road up the mountain was built in the mid 1920s with the first car reaching the settlement in June 1926.[51][52]

Wunburra State School opened circa 1935 after relocating the then-closed Bonogin Creek State School building.[53] Wunburra State School closed circa 1942.[49]

The first declaration of a national park on the plateau was Warrie National Park in 1937.[43]

By 1947, a community hall had been built.[48]

The post office was closed in 1958.[54]

A new Springbrook State School opened on 23 January 1984 at a new site in a new building.[49]

File:Mist and rainforest at lookout along Old School Road, Springbrook, Queensland.jpg
Springbrook National Park rainforest, 2016

Beginning in 2005, the Beattie Government and Bligh Government spent $40.15  million purchasing 45 properties covering Script error: No such module "convert". in Springbrook. The aim is to restore critical habitat to world heritage status and eventually expand the Springbrook National Park. The recovery process is conducted by the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society and led by Aila Keto. The land purchases have been criticised because of a lack of accountability, for pushing up land values and negatively affecting tourism by reducing the number of accommodation places, restaurants and cafes.[55]

File:The Settlement picnic area at Springbrook, Queensland.jpg
The Settlement picnic area, 2016

In 2008, Springbrook was the site for a trial that involved 200 distributed, wireless sensors that can monitor natural conditions such as humidity, temperature, light, rainfall, fog, water quality and sound.[56] The cutting edge technology was developed by the CSIRO to assist research into the restoration of natural vegetation.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Demographics

In the Template:CensusAU, the locality of Springbrook had a population of 659.[57]

In the Template:CensusAU, the locality of Springbrook had a population of 705.[1]

Heritage listings

Springbrook has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

  • 3 Carricks Road: Springbrook Community Hall
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Education

Springbrook State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 2327 Springbrook Road (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".).[63][64] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 28 students with 7 teachers (3 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).[65]

There is no secondary school in Springbrook. The nearest government secondary school is Robina State High School in Robina to the north-east.[4]

Amenities

File:Apple Tree Park, Springbrook, Queensland.jpg
Apple Tree Park, 2016

Springbrook Community Centre is at 3-11 Carricks Road (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".).[66] Co-located with the community centre is the volunteer Springbrook Ambulance Station.[67][68]

St Teresa's Catholic Community meets in private homes, but this practice has been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is part of the Burleigh Heads Catholic Parish within the Archdiocese of Brisbane.[69]

The Springbrook Mudgeeraba branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Bill Deacon Pavilion, Mudgeeraba Showgrounds at 115 Mudgeeraba Road, Worongary.[70]

Attractions

Springbrook National Park is a major attraction in the area. Bush camping is not permitted in the national park.[71] There is one camping area in Carricks Road.[71] Springbrook is the eastern end of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. This mountain hike links to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat via Binna Burra.[72]

There are many lookouts in the locality, including, from north to south:

  • Wedge Bluff Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[73]
  • Rudder Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[74]
  • Canyon Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[75]
  • Boojerahla Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[76]
  • Tallaringa Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[77]
  • Goomoolahra Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[78]
  • Bellaringa Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".[79]
  • Reads Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[80]
  • Dixie Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".)[81]

Although not in Springbrook, the Best of All Lookout (Script error: No such module "Coordinates".) is only accessible from Repeater Station Road in Springbrook. It overlooks the Tweed Valley directly south of Springbrook.[82] Purlingbrook Falls are Goomoolahra Falls are popular with tourists.

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ a b c Template:Census 2021 AUS
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  3. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  4. ↑ a b c Template:Queensland Globe
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b Springbrook National Park: Visitor Information. Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service. 1994.
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b c d e f g h Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  12. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  13. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  14. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  15. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  16. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  17. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  18. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  19. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  20. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  21. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  22. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  23. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  24. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  25. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  26. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  27. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  28. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  29. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  30. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  31. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  32. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  33. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  34. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  35. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  36. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  37. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ a b c Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  49. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  57. ↑ Template:Census 2016 AUS
  58. ↑ Gold Coast Local Heritage Register - N to Z, pp. 129-130
  59. ↑ Template:Cite QHR
  60. ↑ Gold Coast Local Heritage Register - N to Z, pp. 131-132
  61. ↑ Template:Cite QHR
  62. ↑ Gold Coast Local Heritage Register - N to Z, pp. 133-134
  63. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  70. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  71. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  72. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  73. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  74. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  75. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  76. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  77. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  78. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
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  80. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  81. ↑ Template:Cite QPN
  82. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Sources

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External links

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  • Springbrook Rescue Project Australian Rainforest Conservation Society

Template:Localities in Gold Coast Template:Gold Coast Landmarks

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