ROAD TRIP DIARIES # 13
Paluma Range National Park was just a short drive from Balgal Beach, our camping ground the previous night, so instead of driving further up the coast, we decided to drive inland to the southern gateway of Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Traditionally owned by the Nywaigi aboriginal people, the park was first called Munan Gumburu by the aborigines, which means ‘misty mountain’.
Cruising along the windy road through the mist-covered mountains was somewhat like travelling through a mystical landscape beautifully disguised by different backdrops. The lowland tropical vegetation at the start of our drive transformed into a spread of Eucalypt forest, then pine trees, and just as the temperature started to drop, we emerged into a magnificent rainforest all covered in clouds.
Little Crystal Creek
Our first stop was Little Crystal Creek gorge. The rustic setting blended well with the greenery and the crisp mountain air, which made it the perfect spot for our morning tea. Later on, we walked under the bridge and hopped onto huge granite boulders exploring the crystal clear pools, and lush rainforest vegetation. The swimming hole was even more inviting this time since we hadn’t had a shower for two days now. But I wouldn’t dare yet! The icy cold clear water rushing down the gorge was definitely way too cold for me.
The iconic hand-built stone bridge.
The stone bridge was built in 1932-33 and was the first of its kind in Queensland
Swimming hole near the bridge.
It took 2 years for this bridge to be built.
Another small cascade on the other side of the bridge
A Walk in the Clouds
We continued driving up the magnificent Paluma Range towards the mountain top village. There were a couple of scenic walking tracks on offer but we decided to start with the 5 minute walk to McClelland’s Lookout. The view was nothing spectacular and not something we hadn’t already seen before. But perhaps a clear day would reveal the distant coast and the lustrous expanse of rainforest.
Witt’s Lookout Walk
I was rather impressed by the walking path leading to Witt’s lookout. It was like entering a different world somewhat like a set of an alien movie where strange creatures lurk. The fun part was walking through the thick clouds and seeing huge buttresses, more strangler figs and moss covered rocks and trees dripping wet from the spits of the rainforest. As expected, the trail was quite wet, and instincts told me those blood-sucking hitchhikers were just nearby. At least I made it to the lookout in half the time by running all the way only stopping to check out the huge Quandong trees.
Let’s begin the journey!
Charles walking into the foggy forest
Buttress Roots are such a curious sight
Some tree hugger
The view from here was totally worth our 45 minutes walk
View from the Lookout
Pasaway number 1
Rocky outcrop on the left side of the lookout
Another pasaway crossed the lookout railings.
Paluma Rainforest Walk
From Witt’s Lookout, we went to Paluma Village. Picnic, BBQ and toilet facilities were available here so we decided to drop by for lunch. I was quite famished after half day of walking, climbing and running on the trail to prevent the leeches from hitching a ride with me and was ready to devour anything that stood in my way. But then we saw another trail near the picnic area, just 500 meters of rainforest walking, so we found ourselves again back on track – but at least this time the trail was a bit dry.
More strangler figs.
Fascinated with this red tree
Paluma Village
We met two Pinays while having lunch at the picnic area. Charles actually spotted them first and told me they were Pinays. Longing for something and someone familiar, I approached them and had a short chat. The day was already starting to turn into an epic journey and we were only halfway through it!
House on stilts to avoid flood.
(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)
Australian Road Trip 101: A Vantastic Beginning
Road Trip Diaries # 1 – An Encounter with the Strangest Animal in the World
Road Trip Diaries # 2 – Of Strangler Figs, Leeches and Long Holidays
Road Trip Diaries # 3 - Exploring Finch Hatton Gorge
Road Trip Diaries # 4 – Cape Hillsborough: On Bush Walks Beach Strolls and Star Gazing
Road Trip Diaries # 5 – Cape Hillsborough: Sunrise and Wild Kangaroos
Road Trip Diaries # 6 – Airlie Beach: Beaches Babes and Backpackers
Road Trip Diaries # 7 – Ocean Rafting to the Whitsundays
Road Trip Diaries # 8 – Unexpected Encounters
Road Trip Diaries # 9 – Exploring Bowenwood
Road Trip Diaries # 10 – Townsville: Finding Nemo and the Sunken Pandora
Road Trip Diaries # 11 – A Visit at the Billabong Sanctuary and Castle Hill
Road Trip Diaries # 12 – Magnetic Island: What Captain Cook Missed
I love the giant trees, I’m a tree hugger too when there’s no gf around. Also the quaint setting and the scenery from the peak. Australia seems like a camper’s paradise.
Lucky gf, must be getting lots of hugs from a self-confessed tree hugger
pasaway talaga? wahahaha!!! loving the outdoors so much!!!
Mas pasaway yung isa, kahit croc infested yung creek go pa rin.
baka sumabog yan red tree… hehe… nakakainggit ang ganda!
Korek, pero syempre di pahuhuli ang Pilipinas pagdating sa ganda. Marami tayong mala paraiso din ang ganda
This place really looks similar to one near our village here in Davao. A seminary that has a lookout, big trees and boulders, and a creek that you have to go down over a hundred steps to reach the river. I used to go there when I was still a little kid. I didn’t bother going back there since then. Now that I blog about some interesting views, I’ll probably go there maybe tomorrow. I need to because of this post. I’ll feature it tomorrow or the next day.
But of course, ours is just the local version of the place you’ve gone.
Nice one Nonoy, can’t wait to see something like this one in our country. Who know’s it might be even better
Ang ganda! Naaamoy ko na ang simoy ng fresh air while looking at the pics hehe
I find the pasaway photo of you and hubby romantic 
Thanks Mica, emo moment namin sa bundok.
I really enjoyed this! I have friends living in Queensland but they never share any photos with us
It looks like such a beautiful place. I love the huge trees…I love everything! Beautiful!
Oh well, this whole series is about North Queensland and I’ll be sharing heaps of photographs of rainforest, beaches and the outback. Feel free to check out my new posts
ang galing nung pic na nasa gilid kayo ng bangin mag-asawa nakatanaw sa malayo—parang lovers emo moments lang.awts. nai-inlad ako sa idea.hahaha.adik ko lang
hahaha, ganyan naman karamihan sa mga pics namin, hindi nakatingin sa camera, parang awkward kasi.
Ang sweet ng mga photos
emote-emote 
Pagod lang yan hahaha
reminds me of the cordillera breeze.
wait lang, may life insurance ba kayo to stand on the cliff? ^_^
Covered naman ako for 3 months lang na nandun ako sa Aus.
great trails for trekking and running. view are just beautiful. youll less likely feel tired and even doing a solo trail run wont be boring.
I agree Dom, the air was so crisp and refreshing and the view was so beautiful I didn’t even notice we already reached the lookout.
A great post Claire. I’ve driven past the turn off to Paluma so many times, lol, and never bothered to go and look. I will have to rectify that!
You’re missing a lot Mark, there are lots of nice swimming holes, great walks and apparently some historic spots as well. Hope to see some of your pics when you decide to go
Compared to your pics mine aren’t that good , lol.But I will show them.
I see Michael of easyhiker(dot)co(dot)uk and and his Filipina wife Marlys in you and Charles doing your Walk In The Clouds. Truly, savoring the the sight at Paluma Range National Park is soul-rejuvenating.
That’s the good thing about sharing the same passion for the outdoors, we really both enjoy doing this kind of stuff.
I love the name of the park – PALUMA. The place looks classic. Parang walang bahid ng pag abuse. Ang ganda ng bridge dun sa waterfalls.
Parang Filipino name noh. Yun ang isa sa mga nagustuhan ko sa mga parks nila, well-preserved at karamihan puro declared as national parks.
.. nakakalula naman ang pasaway pics nyo.
Nasanay na lang kami siguro sa kakaakyat ng bundok
Clarie U took me for a trip ..Great post …wow great to see the waterfall like this ..i never seen a waterfall which is crystal clear !! loved your photos ..
Hi Sheril, nice seeing you here again. Hope you start posting more about India.
Tea on a creek in the mountains, ahhh zeelife!
Indeed, the simple pleasures of life!
Hi Claire. This is the place that I was talking about: http://cebuanddavao.com/2011/07/06/turning-back-the-clock-at-st-francis-xavier-seminary-and-catalunan-grande-river/
Thanks a lot.
Love the muni-muni under the giant tree, emote moment din ba
What a great nature walk! I feel like i was there with you. great pics! it reminds me of Land’s End in San Francisco.
Kalula naman photos nyo outside the rails!!! =o
really looks creepy if you’re all alone in the woods. baka nga may alien. hehe
ey, i want to have a photo on the ‘Lookout’ — teka, is diretso naba cliff yun? scary but exciting!