Welcome to my world by night !
On moonless nights after visitors have left, I
explore different areas of interest in the rainforest in the dark, looking for new
bioluminescent organisms.
Frequent observations of the status of our glow-worm colonies, firefly breeding grounds
and luminous fungi within our Research area have been ongoing here since 1987.
January February and March are the most exciting months of the year for seekers of
different bioluminescent organisms, however glow worms shine all year around.
I invite you to share a little of that life by joining in on an informative personalised
experience at our facility.
And yes, you can ask questions. |
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Our glow worms live as nature intended
Our glow worms are not
removed from their wild habitat and stuck in an artificial
environment to become a daytime convenience for tourism.
Natural environment
We are fortunate at our Centre to have the
most spectacular and best protected privately owned natural
environment colonies of glow worms on the Springbrook plateau.
Our glow worms are NOT in an artificial cave but out in the open on 5 to
10 metre high vertical rock walls, exactly the way nature intended.
Car
Parking
The carpark is at the top of the hill at the Research Centre,
within 100 metres walk to the glow worm viewing area.
Torches: not necessary as we have ground
lighting around the whole circuit.
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Informative
Introduction
An brief overview / question time is held in the display area of the Research Centre prior
to the guided night experience. This introduction enables visitors to better understand
what they will be seeing in the glow worm colony.
The lifecycle of the glow worm and similarities to other bioluminescent organisms that are
found on the Springbrook Plateau will also be explained.
The briefing also includes the the process of bioluminescence in as detailed or simple
terms as you prefer.
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The viewing circuit
You will then be guided down the ground lit concrete pathways that extend for the full 200
metre walking circuit to and from the viewing area. Handrails are
provided in sections that need them.
As glow worms tend to live in places not always convenient to visitors, please be aware
the use of two staircases is required to access the viewing area.
One is steep, the other gradual. |
Luminous Mushrooms
The luminous mushroom season is dependant upon a combination of
high rainfall
and warm weather, and usually starts in mid-November ~> February.
You will be able to see luminous
mushrooms that have been cultivated from clones of species newly discovered in our
research area.
The fungus of these clones has been inoculated into logs that are stacked in the
rainforest.
Our Research Centre is the only location in Australia that is intentionally growing
luminous mushrooms.
The Springbrook Research Centre
is also the sole location worldwide where ( in season ) cultivated specimens of :
Mycena lampadis [ Maguire 1988 ], one of the brightest light generating mushrooms in the world can be seen. |
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BRIGHT moon nights
Whilst the light from a full moon will only marginally affect the viewing of adult glow
worms, juvenile glow worms just can't produce enough light to be easily visible on bright
moon nights, so for the best viewing experience, choose your visit if possible not to
coincide with an early rising full moon. Full moon rises after
6:00pm are preferable. |
Information for visitors
Springbrook is an isolated area.
TRANSPORT: Please be aware that we do not provide transport to our venue. Visitors
have to make their own way here by car.
PETROL: There are no petrol stations at Springbrook, please
be sure you have enough fuel in your tank for the return journey.
RAINCOAT: Springbrook is a very wet area, that's why
glow worms thrive here. Don't let rain stop you coming here, just bring a raincoat /
umbrella as glow worms shine much brighter when it's wet.
FOOD: We don't provide meals here and suggest that you
dine at Mudgeeraba or the Gold Coast prior to coming here as restaurants here usually
close at 5:30pm unless prior arrangements are made. Alternatively bring a snack with you
and visit the National Park only 2km from here, see Purlingbrook Falls
via Forestry Road and have a BBQ or a picnic in one of the undercover dining shelters in
the park, or behind the Oval in Carricks Road .
(see map below for location). |
Glow Worm
Seasonal Viewing Times
Australian E.S.T.
( Queensland time ) |
| Dec Jan Feb |
8:00pm |
| Mar April May |
7:30pm |
| June July Aug |
7:30pm |
| Sept Oct Nov |
7:30pm |
So please
book in either here online or by telephone on 0755 335 239. |
