The Currumbin Rock Pools is a beautiful spot along the Currumbin Creek with a spectacular water hole for a relaxing family day out. Everything you need is there, sheltered picnic tables, free barbecues, and flushing toilets, and of course, the rock pools for a splash and swim.
The pool is quite large with a lot of space to swim around and take in a li-lo or similar floatation toy. It can become quite popular, especially when warmer, so consideration may be needed when it gets more crowded.
There are a few spots to enter into the water with different types of entry, rock ledges to river stones. Surrounded by the mountain tops of Springbrook, the water is fresh and cool.
We initially drove by heading to Cougal National Park. Currumbin Rock Pool is a great spot to stop on your return to cool off after a hike at the national park. It isn’t a long walk but during the warmer months a cool off is always welcomed.
The pools is more than just a spot to cool off though. A small waterfall with water flowing across a smooth rock forms a natural waterslide into a pool of water. The rocks can be slippery so take care so avoid falls.
Across from the main sheltered area is where jumping from the rocks into the water occurs. It is a regular activity there but if you are unfamiliar with the rock pools, take caution as the water isn’t clear enough to see hazards below the water.
In fact, there are quite a few large boulders under the water, including when it gets deeper. My tender feet don’t like hard stones and rocks so I had to step in carefully and somewhat awkwardly. The temperature of the water in September was still quite chilly so it took a while to get in.
At one point I thought I felt something brush against my leg. Eventually I came around to realising I imagined it and slowly progressed, only to feel it again, this time more assuredly. I discovered I can get out much faster than I can get in.
I did go back in again, this time without any friendly fishy greeting me on the way and had a very refreshing swim. I pretty much had the whole rock pool to myself on this day.
Further downstream there is a large grass area where you can set up your own picnic area beside the water.
Without many people around when we were there, the kids took the opportunity to skip rocks on the water. This held their attention (and mine) for quite a while until we started following a Kookaburra hanging around.
The Currumbin Rock Pools are in a small town about 20 minutes from Currumbin Beach and more or less right next to the road but you wouldn’t really know it. It feels like you are away from development and encased in nature. Paired with a walk at Cougal National Park, the rock pools are a great place to go for an escape to nature.
To get there:
From Gold Coast Airport Visitor Information Centre, head out of the carpark and turn left onto Gold Coast Hwy. Follow Gold Coast Hwy for 3km or so, veering left onto Tugun Currumbin Rd. Follow Tugun Currumbin Rd to the end, becoming Stewart Rd, for about 2.3km, then turn left onto Currumbin Creek Rd. Follow Currumbin Creek Rd for 11.5km and the Currumbin Rock Pools are on the left.
If coming south along the Pacific Motorway, take Exit 95 towards Currumbin and turn right. Follow Stewart Rd to the end and turn left onto Currumbin Creek Rd. Follow Currumbin Creek Rd for 11.5km and the Currumbin Rock Pools are on the left.
If coming north along the Pacific Motorway, take Exit 95 towards Currumbin and turn left.. Follow Stewart Rd to the end and turn left onto Currumbin Creek Rd. Follow Currumbin Creek Rd for 11.5km and the Currumbin Rock Pools are on the left.
