Cougal Cascade

Cougal Cascade sits in the lush Currumbin Valley, in the Gold Coast hinterland near the Springbrook area. A beautiful natural attraction, it's a lovely cascade and swimming spot — reached by a pleasant walk through the rainforest, where the creek tumbles over rocks into clear pools, making for a gorgeous, refreshing escape in a stunning green setting.

The appeal is that combination of a rewarding rainforest walk and a beautiful natural reward: the trail winds through lush rainforest to the cascades and pools, where you can take in the gorgeous scenery, cool off in the clear water and soak up the peaceful, natural surrounds. It's a wonderful, free taste of the hinterland's natural beauty, away from the busy coast.

With a 4.8 rating from more than 250 reviews, it's a much-loved spot. The walk and cascade are free and open, but it's a genuine rainforest walk over natural terrain, water levels and swimming safety vary considerably with the weather and recent rain, so it's worth checking conditions before you go — and taking water, sun protection, decent footwear and swimming safely — while enjoying the cascade and rainforest at Cougal Cascade in the Currumbin Valley.