The Natural Bridge in the Springbrook National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland is a spectacular natural phenomenon. The bridge was formed over millions of years by a waterfall breaking through the roof of a basalt cave that formed underneath the original watercourse and behind the original face of the waterfall.
The basalt rock bridge that we see today was once the lip of a waterfall in the course of Cave Creek. Beneath the hard basalt rock, a softer agglomerate rock layer was eroded by the waterfall to form a short cave underneath.
Shortly upstream of the main falls, a pool was being drilled into the creek bed by the swirling action of water and suspended rock particles. Eventually this pool broke through the roof of the cave.
The cave below the waterfall has since eroded further creating a large cavern with the present waterfall entering through a hole in the middle of the roof, in spectacular fashion.
This Earthcache
Cave Creek originally continued past the present waterfall to flow over the precipice below the view point at the published coordinates. From this lookout, view the opening through which the present waterfall tumbles and estimate, in metres, the size of the hole.
Next, continue on the track to the bottom of the waterfall where you can enter the cave. Here, estimate the width of the bridge (the distance from the hole in the roof to the cave entrance), in metres. Also, take a photo of yourself, with your GPSr clearly visible, with the waterfall or cave entrance in the background.
Email the answers to the questions above to the cache owner, and upload the required photo with your online log. Please don't leave the track at any time to perform the tasks above, and comply with all rules on the park signage.
You can log this cache straight away after you have emailed your answers to the cache owner, no need to wait for confirmation. Please include the name of this earthcache in the email - you'd be surprised how many people forget. Also, when contacting us with answers, if you want a reply, please include your email address. Any problems with your answers we'll be in touch.
We hope you enjoy this earthcache at this beautiful and spectacular location. Happy earthcaching!
lat&long junkie & Mrs Lat&Long Junkie