Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge is an area located at the southern end of  Numinbah Valley.  Here, the rainforest  springs and  short tributary creeks such as Cave Creek  form  the headwaters of the Nerang River.  The area, Natural Bridge,  and the  National Park  take their names  from a   ancient  geological phenomenon associated with one of these creeks.

How Natural Bridge was formed: Through the process of time a deep cave formed behind a waterfall on Cave Creek. Upstream of the falls, a  pool was scoured by  tumbling water and rocks until the waters partially  broke through the basalt rock of the creek bed to flow into the large cave below . This  diversion of the stream  created  a perfect arch or bridge in the rock above. The creek  flows dramatically  into the cave pool  and  then continues on its course to join downstream with the Nerang River.

Discovering Natural Bridge: It is documented that two timber-getters, Alexander (Sandy)  Duncan and Din Guinea were the first Europeans to sight the Natural Bridge.  They  were  cutting timber in the rain-forest just above  what  was then an unnamed stream.  Sandy had reportedly gone down to the creek for water  to boil the billy when he came upon the bridge and cave. From then on the local timber-getters and later settlers referred to the place as the Natural Bridge.

[Return to Heritage Tour]         Return to the Main History & Heritage Page