About Mount Spec
- Getting there and getting around
- Park features
- Camping and accommodation
- Things to do
- Things to know before you go
- Staying safe
- Looking after the park
- Park management
- Tourism information links
- Further information
Getting there and getting around
- Mount Spec map (PDF, 119K)*
- Paluma Range National Park map (PDF, 141K)*
Access to the park is via an old section of the Bruce Highway, 61 km north of Townsville or 40 km south of Ingham. Two turn-offs from the old highway lead to Paluma and Big Crystal Creek.
To Paluma
Turn off the Old Bruce Highway onto Mount Spec Road. This narrow winding bitumen road is not suitable for caravans or buses. The road passes Little Crystal Creek (7 km) and McClellands lookout (17 km) before arriving at the township of Paluma (18 km). Fuel is not available at Paluma.
About 4.6 km west of Paluma, along Mount Spec Road, is the intersection with Lake Paluma Road. Turn right onto this gravel road for Birthday Creek Falls (6.8 km) and Lake Paluma (10 km). After heavy rain landslides or tree falls may close this road.
Continue west along Mount Spec Road to reach Hidden Valley (24 km from Paluma). The last 4 km of this road is unsealed. Mount Zero-Taravale Nature Refuge is also encountered along this road.
To Big Crystal Creek
Turn off the Old Bruce Highway onto Spiegelhauer Road and travel 4 km on a partly sealed road to Big Crystal Creek camping area.
Contact Townsville City Council on (07) 4727 9000 to enquire about the condition of Lake Paluma Road.
Contact the RACQ to enquire about all other local road conditions.
Wheelchair accessibility
The toilets, shelter shed and walk to McClelland's lookout are wheelchair-accessible. The toilets and shelter shed at Big Crystal Creek and the toilets at Little Crystal Creek are also wheelchair-accessible.
Park features
Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park straddles the summit and escarpment of the Paluma Range, rising 1,000 m above the Big Crystal Creek floodplain. This is the most southerly national park in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Tropical rainforest grows on the cooler mountain tops and in the valleys, while open eucalypt woodland covers the foothills. Casuarinas and paperbarks fringe the creeks in the lower, drier parts of the park. Bloodwoods, ironbarks, poplar gums and cocky apple trees grow here. The park is home to many animals found only in the Wet Tropics.
- Read more about the nature, culture and history of Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
A camping area is provided at Big Crystal Creek. Camping permits are required and fees apply.
To ensure a site during holiday periods you will need to book several weeks in advance.
- Find out more about camping at Big Crystal Creek, Paluma Range National Park.
- Book your campsite online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Other accommodation
Camping is allowed at Lake Paluma, an area managed by Townsville City Council. Campsites must be pre-booked, either online or by calling (07) 4727 9000.
Holiday accommodation is available at Paluma and Hidden Valley as well as in regional centres between Townsville and Cairns. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Paradise waterhole, Big Crystal Creek camping area, Paluma Range National Park. Photo: DERM.
Walking
- Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park map (PDF, 119K)*
The Mount Spec section of Paluma Range National Park contains five Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) managed walks. Two additional community walking tracks start from the Paluma township. These walks, which range from 300 m to 4 km, introduce visitors to the natural and historical values of the area.
Rockslides—800 m return (40 mins) Grade: easy
Drive past Big Crystal Creek camping area to the car park at the end of Spiegelhauer Road. Walk approximately 200 m along the sealed road past the locked gate to a gravel walking track on the left hand side of the road. The rockslides are a further 200 m along this gravel walking track. There are a series of water holes and cascades in this area. Never jump or dive off the rocks. Fatalities and serious injuries have occurred here.
McClellands lookout—300 m return (15 mins) Grade: easy
Turn off Mount Spec Road (where signposted), just east of the Paluma township. From the car park, a 150 m wheelchair-accessible track leads you to the lookout. Enjoy extensive views of Halifax Bay and the Palm Islands and learn about the site’s colourful history from the information signs.
Witts lookout track—3 km return (1.5–2 hrs) Grade: moderate
This track starts 200 m beyond McClellands lookout along a bitumen path. Meander through the rainforest learning about local plants and animals. At the signposted junction take the right hand route to Witts lookout. From here the track climbs through open forest before finishing at two rocky outcrops. On a clear day enjoy views of Halifax Bay and the Palm Islands to the north-east.
Cloudy Creek walk—4 km return (2.5 hrs) Grade: moderate
This track follows the same route as the walk to Witts lookout. When you reach the signposted junction, follow the track to the left. The track leads you to a series of small waterfalls along Cloudy Creek.
Birthday Creek Falls walk—1 km return (1 hr) Grade: moderate
Walk through the rainforest to the top of the picturesque cascades on Birthday Creek. A short track leads to the base of the falls. To access this walk, travel 4.6 km west of the Paluma township along Mount Spec Road. Turn right onto the unsealed road that leads to Lake Paluma and travel another 6.8 km to a car park and the start of the track.
Do not swim, dive, jump or wade into the water and remain on the pathway at all times.
Paluma rainforest walk—680 m (30 mins) Grade: easy
This rainforest walk starts opposite the Paluma town hall and finishes 200 m westward along Mount Spec Road. Look for strangler figs and king ferns as you meander along the track which takes you to a rainforest creek past an old tin-race; a stone-pitched channel made by miners.
H track—1.1 km (1 hr) Grade: moderate
Starting at the small ring road near the old Paluma Police Station, the track finishes at the rear of Lennox Crescent. Passing through rainforest as it follows an old timber-hauling or ‘snig’ track, this walk allows you to view loading ramps and old stumps—logging relics of the past. Fenced for your safety, remnants of an old shaft provide an insight into how miners searched for tin.
Driving
Take a drive past Paluma to the west and explore the towering rose gum forests of Mount Zero–Taravale Nature Refuge, the rustic charm of Hidden Valley, or the relative solitude of the rainforest surrounding Lake Paluma.
Picnic and day-use areas
Day-use areas are located at Big Crystal Creek, Little Crystal Creek and McClellands lookout. Barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and water are provided. Treat all water before drinking. There is also a shelter shed at McClellands lookout. A day-use area located at Lake Paluma is managed by Townsville City Council.
Fishing
Fishing in Paluma Range National Park is only permitted in Big Crystal Creek, but not in the Paradise Waterhole area. Bag and size limits apply. Details are available from Fisheries Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.
Swimming
Swim at Little Crystal Creek and at Paradise Waterhole and the Rockslides along Big Crystal Creek. Never jump or dive into water and be careful at the water’s edge. Rocks can be extremely slippery and submerged timber can appear after flooding. Fatalities and serious injuries have occurred here.
Swimming is not allowed at Birthday Creek Falls.
Viewing wildlife
Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park is a great place to go birdwatching. Rainforest species can be seen as well as those that inhabit drier eucalypt woodland and watercourses. Several of the rainforest birds, notably chowchillas, mountain thornbills and golden bowerbirds, are found only in the wet tropics.
Green ringtail possums and giant white-tailed rats are active at night.
- Read the description of the park's natural environment for more details about Paluma's diverse wildlife.
Other things to do
For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- a first-aid kit
- a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- cans or plastic bottles
- rubbish bags
- insect repellent
- sturdy shoes for walking.
Opening hours
Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety, walk in daylight hours only.
Seasonal closures are common in the wet season, due to flooding. Contact the RACQ to enquire about local road conditions.
Occasionally in the dry season, the park will be closed due to fires.
Permits and fees
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite. Maximum length of stay is 30 days.
- Book your campsite online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Permits are required for all commercial activities or group functions within the park. Contact us for further information.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Paluma Range National Park.
Climate and weather
The summit of Paluma Range/Mount Spec receives an average annual rainfall of almost 3 m. Much of this rain comes from moisture-laden air from the sea cooling as it rises over the range. Mists are common and, in summer, the area is often cloaked in low cloud.
For more information see the tourism information links below. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and basic supplies are available at Mutarnee, on the Bruce Highway, 700 m north of the northern turnoff. More supplies and services can be obtained at Rollingstone, on the Bruce Highway, 10 km south of the southern turnoff.
For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
- Do not swim, dive, jump or wade into the water at Birthday Creek Falls.
- Never jump or dive into water and be careful at the water’s edge. Rocks can be extremely slippery and submerged timber can appear after flooding. Fatalities and serious injuries have occurred here.
- Do not attempt to cross strong flowing creeks and streams. Flooding can occur during and after heavy or prolonged periods of rain and the creek may become impassable. Ensure you have several days worth of extra food.
- Do not feed native wildlife. It is a health risk to them and a safety risk to you.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeved shirt, even on cloudy days.
- Wear insect repellent, clothing and shoes to protect yourself from stings, scratches and bites.
- Cassowaries live in some areas. Never approach or feed these animals and remember to be Cass-o-wary!
- Venomous fish called bullrouts live in some creeks. Wear sandshoes or similar footwear and take care when investigating unusual rocks or objects. Be aware of the required first-aid procedures.
- Carry adequate drinking water. Treat all water from taps, creeks and streams before drinking.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
As part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Paluma Range National Park contains outstanding examples of major stages in the Earth's evolutionary history, continuing biological evolution and exceptional beauty, and provides habitat for many rare and threatened species. Please minimise your impact on this special place by taking the following measures.
- Glass containers are not permitted in some areas as broken glass can cause injuries.
- Do not chase, scare or feed animals.
- Never leave food, dirty dishes or bars of soap unattended—Australian brush-turkeys and native giant white-tailed rats are nature’s perfect thieves.
- Take all rubbish with you, including food scraps.
- Camp only in designated camping areas.
- Take care not to pollute fresh water. Do not use soap, shampoo or detergents in or near creeks.
- Fires are not permitted. Use fuel stoves or the gas barbecues provided.
- Stay on the track. Never cut corners or create new tracks.
- Leave your pets at home. Domestic animals are not permitted in national parks.
See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park is managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in collaboration with the Wet Tropics Management Authority, for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.
Tourism information links
Flinders Mall Information Centre (Townsville Enterprise Ltd)
www.townsvilleonline.com.au
Flinders Mall, Townsville Qld 4810
ph (07) 4721 3660 or 1800 801 902
fax (07) 4726 2700
email tel@tel.com.au
Tyto Wetlands Information Centre
www.tyto.com.au
Bruce Highway, Ingham Qld 4850
ph (07) 4776 4792
fax (07) 4776 3039
email ceo@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au
Rainforest and Reef Information Centre
www.greatgreenwaytourism.com
142 Victoria Street, Cardwell Qld 4849
ph (07) 4066 8601
fax (07) 4066 8116
Email info@greatgreenwaytourism.com
A partnership between QPWS and Cassowary Coast Regional Council, managed by Great Green Way Tourism Incorporated.
For information on road conditions contact:
RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
www.racq.com.au (see Travel>Maps and Directions>Road Conditions)
ph 1300 130 595 for 24 hour road reports
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
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Last updated 9 June 2011