Springbrook
Mt Cougal
Only an hour to get to East Cougal from Garden of Eden carpark. At the final ascent, cliffs are encountered. An obvious pad heads up through the cliffs
without any danger. From the summit, a descent to the saddle through large mountain lillies is possible. To ascend West Cougal head North around any major
obstacles. There are no great views from West Peak although there are great views on its ascent.
Be careful of loose rock near the south facing cliffs.
It is possible for an extra challenge to find a route down the north side of the Cougals by finding your way above the mountain lillies from the saddle passing north below West Cougal.
Be careful in this area as it is unstable and major accidents will be found by those who are careless.
Beyond Mt Cougal
I have tried exploring west of Mt Cougal and have progressed half way to Springbrook plateau to a double peak between Mt Cougal and Bilbrough Lookout. Someday I will try to find if a direct
ascent from there to Springbrook bypassing the Cream Track is possible.
Boyd's Butte
Instead of ascending the cliffs of East Cougal, descend a little and traverse the base of the cliffs to the north until the cliffs are behind you and
the ridge to Boyd's Butte is attained. A gentle walk of about half an hour with lots of wait-a-while is all that it takes to get to the higher
pinnacle of Boyd's Butte.
A great circuit of Boyd's Butte can be made from the Currumbin Ck National Park Carpark. There is a good track (2008) on the ridgeline of the north boundary of the national park. This makes an excellent descent route. When the old logging track descends north towards the creek it is best to follow this into the creek which will be close to the old saw mill.
The ascent ridge to the other side of Boyds Butte is taken above this by following a track beyond the sawmill up the southern branch of Canungra Ck. Cross the creek when it is reached and ascend. A taped trail leads up to Boyd's Butte. The first rocky outcrop can be ascended and followed. When spear lillies block the way it is best to crawl east to descend the outcrop with caution. The next outcrop can be ascended for magnificant views with care but leave your packs at the base as it only has the one ascent and descent route at the south end of the pinacle. Thie third outcrop cannot be ascended. Follow the base of the last two pinacles on their east side.
Cream Track
From the road to the top of Tallebudgera Creek, follow the track across the creek and up the hill turning left at the banana plantation. Avoid the plantation keeping it on your right as youmeet the main
ridge to Springbrook. This gets steeper and eventually becomes a pedestrian track. Follow this all the way up until open paddock are reached. Following the main road will get you
to a radio tower repeater station close to Bilborough Lookout.
Springbrook Numimbah Circuit
From Numimbah Gap, follow the rabbit fence up the hill. Contour below the base of cliffs on the NSW side until you can ascend to the top of this ridge
heading east. When a knoll is reached head north and on the northside of the cliffs until a little saddle is reached.
The east end of this saddle is where the main Springbrook cliffs are encountered. Contour under them northwards until a nice waterfall is encountered.
The trail is taped from here to an ascent route through the cliffs. At the top the track turns south until the creek is crossed near a large downed brushbox tree. The track then heads east to Best of All Lookouts.
Follow the road about 2 km until a national park sign is seen on the left. Behind the sign a faint trail heads west.
A stream can be followed if the trail is too hard to follow. The stream leads to the top of the cliffs for a nice view.
Keep above the reeds (as they are very thick) and head north until a ridge encounters. This ridge has a marked trail which can be followed to Natural Arch.
Thanks to David Kenrick for helping me discover this circuit.