Purlingbrook Falls, Waterfall in Springbrook National Park, Australia

Purlingbrook Falls is a waterfall in Springbrook National Park that drops 106 meters straight down ancient basalt cliffs in a single, unbroken stream. The cascade originates from an elevation of about 590 meters and flows into the rainforest below.

The falls formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity that shaped the basalt cliffs over which water now cascades. The area later became part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests in Queensland.

The falls sit in the Shield Volcano Group of Springbrook National Park, within the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage listing. The name comes from Purling Brook, the stream that feeds the drop; "purling" describes water flowing with a murmuring sound. After heavy rain the flow draws crowds, and barricades are put up to keep walkers off tracks beneath the falls because of falling rocks.

The falls are accessible via a 4-kilometer circuit track that includes multiple viewing platforms and a suspension bridge. The path is well-marked, but visitors should expect uneven sections and wet conditions, especially after rainfall.

The falls are a horsetail waterfall, meaning the water loses contact with the rock as it drops, so the white column widens into mist above a ledge hidden in the spray. After heavy rain the flow becomes a spectacle that draws large numbers of tourists, and landslides make the track past the base hazardous, so barricades are erected.