paluma and crystal creek rainforest

Was recently staying in Townsville and took a day trip up to Paluma. Had a beautiful day with good adventures. The drive up is slow due to narrow roads, but it's well maintained. Paluma itself is a beautiful quiet town. We had lunch at the Cafe, which included some local advice and directions. Lovely staff and great affordable meals. Was a touch cooler than Townsville, so lovely relief at a hot time of year.Due to another review we continued on to see Birthday Creek Falls....this was the best bit of our day. Nobody around, easy walk and beautiful place to dip in for a swim. We also stopped at Little Crystal Creek....it was pretty although covered in tourists, so we didn't stay long. Afterwards we popped to Frosty Mango for an ice-cream....only 5 minutes further up the highway...well worth it for the yummy fruity ice-cream treats! I would thoroughly recommend this day trip....good to be out of the city and see the wonders of the rainforest. Many walks to explore, along with lookouts and other places to have a swim that we didn't even get to!

This place is great. As a local we come up here often. Great wet rainforest drive, especially on the dirt road out to the lake (swimming and free bbq's, matches required). Birthday creek falls is pumping at the moment and worth the short rainforest walk to the base.Be careful on the narrow road though, a number of twits think it's Bathurst.

A local recommended Little Crystal Creek which which we enjoyed...then we found Big Crystal Creek. We ended up staying the rest of the day...the kids didn't want to leave. Crystal clear waters with fabulous natural water slides. Take the snorkel too...there's plenty of fish and turtles. The little camp ground near by looked really good too although we didn't stay. Maybe next time.

only 1 hour from Townsville. We were there on public holiday so there were lots of people but if it wasn't it would been great.Definitely we will go back.Wish we can take our puppy though doesn't looks like pets are allowed.

We love the fresh water and simple beauty of Big Crystal Creek area (Paradise Lagoon and the rockslides). The water is a little warmer than Little Crystal Creek and the rockslides are great fun, particularly after a decent fall of rain.

I had a flying visit here birdwatching and can't wait to return. The area is of outstanding beauty with many species of bird and animal. I noted a couple of German lads swimming in the rock pools on the top side of the bridge and also noted the large snake in the same pool which I pointed out to them. The snake got the pool to itself very quickly. Be aware that our reptilian friends like the place as much as you are likely to. Always look for things that bite before diving in. Binoculars are recommended as good boots. Highly recommended place for great day out.

Little Crystal Creek was a great place to visit. An old stone arch bridge framed the lovely water cascades which flowed over the rocks and into the gorge. It is a fantastic place to swim, although the water was quite deep. There were toilets and picnic tables for visitors. Bush turkeys were roaming freely around the area. Before returning to Townsville we made a small detour & stopped to have an ice cream at the Frosty Mango.

When we arrived at Big Crystal Creek we didn't have a lot of expectations. We scouted the area and tried the natural water slide at the beginning. This reminded us of the one at Josephine Falls and we didn't like it that much.It was when we went up a little that we 'discovered' a really nice natural water slide. It felt just like these slides in an aqua park but here they're natural and don't cost a thing! We ended up spending the rest of the day here and we only saw 1 other couple. If you would have to choose between Josephine Falls or Big Crystal Creek, we would suggest you choose the latter.

What a great and welcoming place. After a fantastic 18 klm drive up the mountains (note narrow tarred road, with limited barriers) we arrived at the Paluma. Unfortunately, the Inn was closed for the day as the Paluma Push (an annual bike ride) had been held the day before. Did a 580 metre rainforest walk and, luckily, the local Historic Society were there for a few hours on the day. Again down the Mountain and to Little Crystal Creek, then on to Big Crystal Creek - just spectacular. Worth the visit.

On the road up to Paluma Village you come to Little Crystal Creek. As usual in Australia, every effort has been made to make this attraction accessible to all (paths, stairways, handrails) and what an attraction. There is a stone arch bridge (built during the 1930's recession) which frames the mountain water cascading down the rocks. You can swim in the beautiful rock pools (although we didn't) and there are picnic tables set up under the trees if you want to eat there and take in the scenery. An incredibly beautiful spot and definitely a "must see" place.

As you wind your way up to the top of Paluma you encounter some beautiful tropical forest area with large tree ferns close to the road. About half way up is Little Crystal Creek with it's famous heritage arch stone bridge. There is a car park nearby, picnic area and toilets which are very clean. Walk down the stairs to crystal creek for a swim, the water is crystal clear - nice place to relax and take in the scenery.Paluma village nestled at the top of the mountain which has a restaurant and nice picnic area and toilets in the centre of the town. You can also do walks from the centre - it started to rain when I got there so gave this a miss.Drove on past Paluma and come across this beautiful eucalyptus grandis forest, just stunning. There was a lookout on the way however was a little overcast.Great day out to enjoy the cooler temperature.

Stopped at the falls and was pleasantly surprised. Great place to cool off. Car park not too far away and gorgeous mossy rainforest surrounds. Well worth the visit

It was a lovely break from the Townsville heat. Lake Paluma is beautiful and has good facilities although it is quite a long, rough drive to get there. It would have been a fantastic day out if we had packed a picnic.We went on a Tuesday and there was no food at either the Eco Resort or local Inn. The resort only caters for guests and the inn is closed Tuesday to Thursday. The resort is 'making signs' as we drove 40km in and out, to find out we could not get lunch there. We were annoyed that the maps showed food at 2 locations when there was nothing available during the week. We would have had lunch and spent the day there but had to leave Paluma to get lunch.We were sent to the closest place, Frosty Mango, which was past the entry to Paluma and further along the highway towards Big Crystal Creek. Lunch there was basic, but good, and the ice creams were delicious. They also had a selection of cakes that looked nice. See notes at Big Crystal Creek and Lake Paluma also.

One of my most Favorate places in Northern Queensland! Have traveled all of Australia and this beautiful peace of paradise is simply stunning!

i absolutely love it in paluma.. crystal creek is one of my most favourite places.. the water is beautiful.. the trees are beautiful.. perfect place to hang out for the day and have a picnic.. if your in the area, i highly recommend checking this place out!!