Springwood Conservation Park

Springwood Conservation Park, a former quarry site, was saved from development by the community and Logan City Council and is now a slice of paradise in the middle of suburbia; with balancing rocks, caves, cliffs and gorge.

Beginning at the Jardine Drive entrance, where a carpark, picnic shelter and toilets are located, you can either take the shorter Stringybark Lookout track (570m) or longer Gorge Discovery Circuit (1.45km). If you opt for the longer walking track, you'll commence with a series of steep stairs (known locally as the Springwood Stairs of Death). At the top of the stairs, the trail continues through open eucalypt forest, passing interesting rock formations along the way and criss-crossing the gorge with wooden bridges.  

Around the half way mark, you can continue on to complete the circuit or join the Spur Track (984m) which takes you past the Stringybark Lookout, with distant views over Logan. If you continue on the Discovery Circuit, the track starts to descend into the gorge, through lush greenery and returns to the carpark.  

If you're lucky, you might spot a koala, sugar glider, possum or swamp wallaby. In the wetter months, seasonal waterfalls flow through the gorge while in the spring, wildflowers blossom.   

*Need to know: If you want to avoid the Stairs of Death, alternative entries are located at Plateau Drive (there's a small playground here), Springwood Road, Deloraine Drive and Gibbon Street. Wheelchair access is provided along a section of the Gorge Discovery Circuit. 

By Deb Lidster