Paluma

Paluma Range National Park is the exact place to connect with the elements and form a deeper acquaintance with the natural world. Refreshing waterfalls, rainforest walking trails, and a birdwatchers paradise – Paluma has a lot to offer!

Paluma Range National Park is divided into two portions and serves as the southern entry to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, with both areas including a variety of leisure options. Jourama Falls, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by jungle, can be found in the northern part.

Mount Spec, covered in rainforest, rises nearly 1000 metres above the Big Crystal Creek floodplain to the south. Paluma Range National Parks Traditional Owners are the Nywaigi Aboriginal people. Discover the dry forest scenery and watch it dramatically change into wet rainforest flora and fauna as you drive up the Paluma Range. It is well-known for its luxuriant tropical rainforest, lake, walking trails, and breathtaking lookouts.

Big Crystal Creek

Big Crystal Creek is the most southernly Wet Tropics World Heritage National Park area. Swim in pristine crystal-clear waters in a variety of swimming holes. Discover Paradise Waterhole which is the largest area to swim, just a casual 200 metre walk from the day use area.

There are picnic tables and barbeques for the whole family to enjoy, as well as eco-friendly toilet facilities. Camp under the trees either in a tent, camper trailer, campervan, or motorhome. Listen to the wildlife in the vicinity while you relax and explore what Big Crystal Creek has to offer. 

Rock Slides at Big Crystal Creek

An extra two kilometre drive past Paradise Waterhole at Big Crystal Creek, you will discover the Rockslides just a short 800 metre return walk alongside the dry forest.

Walk approximately 200 metres past a locked gate located at the car park, and you will come across a gravel walking track on the left-hand side of the road. Two hundred metres along the dirt path you will come across the beautiful rockslides with a range of waterholes and cascades for everyone to enjoy.  Slide into the fresh cold waters and take in the breathtaking scenery. Relax in the wilderness while listening to the wildlife or family and friends playing in the pristine clean waterholes.

Little Crystal Creek

Famous for its heritage listed masonry stone arch bridge built in the 1930’s depression. Beautiful cascade waterfalls flow through the forest and under the bridge.

Swim in the fresh cold water rushing from the waterfall bouncing onto the boulders. There is plenty of space for the whole family to enjoy. Nature’s staircases take you up or down to the perfect place to splash around in. Travel up the Paluma Range (Mount Spec Road) to get to the glorious Little Crystal Creek, but please be aware that the road is narrow and windy in some places which makes it unsuitable for caravans or large motor homes. Check out both sides of the arch bridge as there are two large sections for you to swim around in, as well as small spaces for you to sit and soak up the serenity.

Jourama Falls

Discover the beauty and tranquillity of Jourama Falls as you walk through the fragrant woodlands and dense rainforest. Journey a short 3 kilometre return walk through the tropical woodland forest over the creek crossings and watch the crystal-clear water flow around the large rocks creating a stream and small waterholes to splash around in.

After your journey through the magnificent creek crossing, you can hike 600 metres up to the Jourama Falls lookout or continue walking over rocky paths to get to an amazing fresh water plunge pool with large shady trees keeping you cool.

Paluma Range National Park has a wide range of walking and hiking tracks available for everyone with the difficulty ranging from easy to moderate.

The tracks range from 300 metres to 4 kilometres, so if it’s a short walk or a hike, the Paluma Range has you covered. On the Mount Spec section of the Paluma Range National Park there are five tracks available for you to explore and uncover the historical and natural wonders of the area.

Rockslides Walking Track

Two kilometres past Paradise Waterhole at Big Crystal Creek, discover the Rockslides just a short 800 metre return walk alongside the dry forest.

Walk approximately 200 metres past a locked gate located at the car park, and you will come across a gravel walking track on the left-hand side of the road.

Two hundred metres along the dirt path you will come across the beautiful rockslides with a range of waterholes and cascades for everyone to enjoy.

Birthday Creek Falls Walk

Explore through the rainforest all the way to the top of Birthday Creek and experience a cascade of falls.

The perfect walk for the birdwatchers, only a one kilometre return walk with a moderate difficulty. At the end of the track, enjoy a fresh dip in the waterhole, but be careful of the rocks as they can become slippery.

McClellands Lookout

Follow the signs as you enter Paluma Village, turn east off Mount Spec Road onto Loop Road, and as you enter you will see a car park.

A 150 metre track leads you to the lookout with views of Halifax Bay and Palm Island Group. The lookout is wheelchair accessible and contains information boards with local history and facts.

Witts Lookout Track

Explore the jungle while learning about the native plants and creatures as the track begins 200 metres past McClellands Lookout.

Follow the wheelchair accessible bitumen route past the lookout to the start of the hike and end with amazing views of Halifax Bay and Palm Island Group. At the fork in the road, follow the right fork to Witts Lookout. The trail then climbs sharply for three kilometres through the open forest before finishing at the lookouts on two rocky summits.

Cloudy Creek Walk

Along the same route as the Witts Lookout track, but once you arrive at a fork junction, turn left as the track leads you along Cloudy Creek.

You will hike through waterfalls and sections that are steep, rocky or slippery. The track stretches for four kilometres and is a moderate grading so be prepared for many steps and walking through and over boulders.

Paluma Rainforest Walk

This is a relaxing short walk through the rainforest to discover strangler figs and king ferns.

The walk starts opposite the Paluma Town Hall and ends 200 metres west along Mount Spec Road. Learn about the history of how the old tin race was discovered, and how miners made stone pitched channels through the rainforest – creating a creek.

H Track

This hike takes you through a historical path which was once an old timber hauling or snig track, allowing you to see old loading ramps and old stumps.

The stroll begins on Whalley Crescent and ends on Lennox Crescent, both located off Mount Spec Road in Paluma Village. Wander through 1.1 kilometres of rainforest and historical artifacts.