This is one of my favourate track in Springbrook National Park. If you would like to try walking a longer track, and maybe adventurous and experienced enough to go slightly off track, then this is definitely recommended for you. Insect spray is a must for this track, and if you are doing the Pinnacles Track, long pants or gaitors are must haves. I do recommend using gaiters if you have them, just because the track is very overgrown and less maintained. After the walk, enjoy a cuppa at the Cafe opposite the Canyon Lookout. (PS: be aware of the trading hours of the Cafe) If you still have the energy, try the Acai Bowls at the Sera Bar at Burleigh Heads (highly recommended).
The Warrie Circuit track itself is about 17km return, if you would like to get closer to the numerous waterfalls on the track and out to the Pinnacles, it would add up to about close to 20kms. I would recommend to park at Canyon Lookout and start the track there. We've done the track anti-clockwise, and I do feel it is easier this way. However, if you do the track clockwise, you will just need to remember to branch off after you pass the track at the bottom of Black Fellow Fall. You will see the signpost at the brach off. We've done a little bit extra and went to the bottom of Twin Fall first, before returning onto Warrie Circuit, which was really worth it as the sun was just rising pass the canyon wall and the rays were hitting the top of the falls leaving a golden glaze.
If you went anti-clockwise, the next fall you will reach is Rainbow Falls. Why the name? That's because during day time, there are little rainbows near the bottom of the fall as the sun ray hits the mists bouncing off creek bed rocks. Walk under the fall to continue on the track, be careful as this section of the track is usually muddy and slippery.
I believe there is another un-named fall if you continue the track, before you reach the second named waterfall on the track map. Some section of the track are less than ideal, so watch your steps.
The next named fall you will reach is Goomoolabrah Fall and if you keep going, you will reach a point where the track sharp bends to the left. This is the starting point to the Pinnacles. There are a bunch of tree braches laid in between two trees, that's a marker hard to miss.
I wouldn't recommend doing this part without any prior hiking experience or basic gavigation skills, definitely go with someone who had done it before and knows the way, as the track is very over grown and is hard to find most of the time if you are not careful.
The basic guidance is:
1. Follow the top of the ridge line, do not follow the track if you can see that it heads down the gully.
2. There are some pink tapes later on in the track that you can follow.
3. Follow the track slightly to the right when you reach a point where you are standing at the centre surrounded by three trees in a circle.
4. You will reach and will need to scramble to the top of the rock ("The Pinnacle").
Once you'd gotten there, the unobstructed panoramic view is absolutely worth your effort. There is a narrow section where extreme care will need to be taken, as sheer cliffs are on both sides. The top of the Pinnacles would hold around 5 people at most, so take that into consideration if you are planning a group hike. You can either have a lunch here, or have it at the Meeting of Waters (the half way point of Warrie circuit).
Return the same way until you reach the pile of tree branches, and continue on the track to the right.If you walked the track in summer like us, you will be surrounded by creaming Cicadas, so do be prepared for it. Keep following the track and you will reach a sign says Meeting of Waters, this is the half way point of the Warrie Circuit, and this also means the downhill track has come to an end. If you started early, take your time to enjoy this place and have your lunch here, as this is where all the falls merges and heading to the Gold Coast. You can always find your own secret lunch spot, which is half the fun!
Now, it is time for some uphill walking, in fact the rest of the track will be uphill...don't worry, the track is not steep and it winds through (zip-zap) the forest. You will be too pre-occupied by the ancient forest (massive strangler figs etc.) and insane waterfalls to notice the uphill. There are two big waterfalls on the way up. The first one, you will branch off the main track (sign posted) to the right. The water goes down the stairway shaped rock before it free falls onto the forest floor, I recommend not to miss out on this one, through it's a bit of an extra walk and you will need to turn back around to the main track again to go forward.
The second waterfall on the way up is a massive one. However, rock hopping to the fall is required if you would like to see the full size up close. The rocks are super slipery, I had to give up on keeping my shoes dry , and walked through shallow water. It is absolutely amazing, I've lost words to describe it. Experience it for yourself!
If you don't feel like rock hopping or getting wet shoes, it is still pretty good to watch the fall on the edge of the track. Once you've returned back on the track, follow the track on the right hand side to continue up-hill.
Shortly after this, you will reach Blackfellow fall. You will see a sign-post to Twin Falls, however, instead of turning left, you will continue straight and go under (through) the Blackfellow Fall. Follow the track back on top of the Canyon, and continue until you reach the Canyon Lookout.
Queensland had signaficiant rainfalls before we went on this walk, so the waterfall is flowing. During dry season, you will won't be able to see two waterfalls at Twin Fall. I do recommend doing this during the wet season to get the most, but do plan for your day depending on the weather, as this track is really not pleasant during down pours.
Hope you get to tick this walk off your list soon, if it's not on your list, do it anyway. :) yolohiking
