Jourama Falls: A Gray Nomad Affair

ROAD TRIP DIARIES # 15

Jourama Falls

I started boiling two pots of water first thing in the morning after waking up draped in the crisp mountain air at Jourama Falls camping area. It was our last day of camping at Paluma Range National Park and I told myself if I couldn’t plunge myself into the cold swimming holes, at least a traditional bucket shower would do for now. It was all back to basics again as I found myself in a roofless makeshift shower nook right in the middle of the forest.

The Trail

Crossing the Creek

Walking through the bed of rocks

After breakfast and packing up our camper van, we had a short drive to the jump-off point for the falls, which was just a few hundred meters past the main camping area. From here, we followed the paved track through open woodlands and were quite pleased to see new species of plants as well as some familiar rainforest dwellers.

While walking on the trail, we spotted an Achtung sign along the path and just as I expected, Charles duly ignored it and scrambled down the creek before I could even say another word. At least the danger sign wasn’t a crocodile warning so I followed him down the creek as well. The huge boulders and crystal clear waters reminded me of Flat Rocks at Mt. Makiling in Laguna, a place I often visited when I was still working at Makiling Botanic Gardens as a student assistant.

Rock Pools Area

One of the smaller cascades at Rock Pools

A section of the creek

Charles on top of the bigger cascades

We didn’t linger too long at this spot and instead scurried back to the trail in order to make it to the lookout before lunchtime. The fun part really started when we crossed the creek surrounded by palm trees and traversed the dry riverbed upstream. It must be filled with raging water in wet season, but at this time, it was just a bed of rocks. It was still early when we reached the fork in the trail leading to the falls’ lookout so we decided to check out Rock Pools first.

Interesting flora

Gum Trees

It was probably the biggest flat rocks we’ve seen so far during our road trip. We had a great time climbing over these huge boulders and exploring its numerous cascades. It was surrounded by a magnificent gorge, and we could see Jourama Falls although it didn’t look that spectacular down below. Charles and I went our separate ways after agreeing on the place to meet up. He further explored the gorge upstream while I delighted myself taking pictures of the numerous cascades.

Trekking Gray Nomads

It would have been nice it we brought food and drinks and just whiled the time away down the Rock Pools, which we both loved. But later in the day, we got back to the walking track and trekked to the lookout. The trail was all uphill and was a bit difficult especially if you’re unfit so I was quite surprised to see an old lady with a cane resting along the way. I was rather impressed she made it that far. It wasn’t actually the first time I have seen gray nomads/ retirees doing bush walks and treks during our road trip, which reminded me age shouldn’t stop you from having adventures.

We made it easily to the lookout this time walking through hundreds of gum trees with bark peeling off and exposing a very smooth white trunk. Jourama Falls wasn’t that spectacular even from the top but the rock formations around it were stunning, they must have been slowly carved out over millions of years. The gorge was massive and deep, and we could see glistening golden speckles on the rocks. It was surely a great way to start our day and a fitting finale for our last day at Paluma Range National Park.

In no time, we were back on Bruce Highway and had a stopover at Tyto Wetlands Tourist Center to get more information about our next destinations. Seeing other nomads camping out in front of the center, we decided to have our lunch here and have a nap before exploring the wetlands nearby.

Fellow backpackers making lunch at the car park

(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)

Micamyx|Senyorita

Posted July 13, 2011 at 6:05 PM

Ay oo nga! It’s nice to see na age doesn’t hinder them from wandering around. They all need a break and some fresh air din

Gusto ko rin mag-lunch ng ganyan sa van gawin ko nga yan sa Baguio hehe puntahan na lang ata kita dyan next yr

Claire
Posted July 14, 2011 at 7:04 AM
Actually that was the first thing I noticed during our trip, you see these retirees everywhere – sunbathing on beaches, bushwalking in national parks and even camping in the outback. It’s seems like growing old here just gave them more time to explore the great outdoors. (parang sa atin kapag matanda na madalas simbahan, bahay at nag-aalaga na lang ng apo

Marky

Posted July 13, 2011 at 7:00 PM

I want to live your ‘always road tripping’ life and up until I became one of em Gray Nomads too. Beautiful cascading waterfalls, I’d take a dip there as well even though it looks cold as ice.

Claire
Posted July 14, 2011 at 7:08 AM
On the other hand, I think everyone is on a “constant journey”. We just take different courses and choose different destinations

Nelieta

Posted July 13, 2011 at 7:31 PM

This looked like such a fantastic trip! I love your photos and I enjoyed this journey. Hiking is so great and to be in nature is even better.

Claire
Posted July 14, 2011 at 7:11 AM
Thanks Nelieta, I think sleeping in a prison cell is just as exciting and I am serious about the idea of sleeping inside a coffin

dong ho

Posted July 13, 2011 at 8:49 PM

those are really huge rocks. similar to the ones in the chico river in kalinga. beuatiful trekking spots.

Claire
Posted July 14, 2011 at 7:12 AM
Yeah I remember your posts about Kalinga, I would love to explore that place one day.

jim brandano

Posted July 13, 2011 at 9:55 PM

Your doing great with this blog, I’m always looking for new post… You have a very good photographic eye!!!

http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/07/saving-your-photographic-slides-with.html

Claire
Posted July 14, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Thank you Jim, that means a lot especially coming from you

Renz Bulseco

Posted July 14, 2011 at 3:51 AM

Wow! Ang ganda ng place!

Islandvacations

Posted July 14, 2011 at 5:37 AM

The beauty of the falls can be ascertained not on the spectacular cascades only but on its stunning surroundings as well like in the case of the Jourama Falls. We your readers owe you a lot for sharing this.

Claire
Posted July 14, 2011 at 7:30 AM
I agree, it’s the whole package that makes it more beautiful

Mark

Posted July 14, 2011 at 6:30 PM

Age is just a number! The culture here is to get out amongst it! lol.After all you’re dead an awful long time.

Claire
Posted July 15, 2011 at 3:02 PM
That’s right Mark Just wait till I get to the Outback series, backpackers started to dwindle the further we were from civilisation and unsurprisingly, gray nomads ruled the place.
- Reply
  Mark
  Posted July 15, 2011 at 7:33 PM
  That’s right , the backpackers are looking for party spots , lol and the nomads for peace and quiet.

pinaytraveljunkie

Posted July 14, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Australia’s national parks remind of Malaysia rainforests. Yung tipong, you know you’re hiking in the middle of nowhere tapos sabay sulpot ng sign, saying you’re so and so meters from lala place. Haha. Anyhoo, feeling ko magiging gray nomads din kayo ni Charlies. Yihee!

Claire
Posted July 15, 2011 at 3:06 PM
I can’t wait to see what Malaysia has to offer. I’m really excited to explore Borneo’s jungle. Gotta do the hard stuff now while we still can or while there’s no little one yet

supertikoy

Posted July 16, 2011 at 7:27 PM

the rocks on the first photo reminds me of the falls in some theme parks…may dating na fake lol. on a serious note, i’m interested in visiting falls ’cause of the soothing effect. =)

Seair

Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:30 PM

the first pic of the waterfall already blew me away. this must have been such a great experience! i hope to one day be able to travel to australia and have half the adventures you do! love your blog!