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Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    Access to the park is via an old section of the Bruce Highway, 61km north of Townsville or 40km south of Ingham. Two turn-offs from the old highway lead to Paluma and Big Crystal Creek. The narrow winding bitumen road to Paluma (18km) first passes Little Crystal Creek (7km) and McClelland's lookout (17km). The road to Big Crystal Creek (4km) leaves the highway 2km north of the Paluma turn-off.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    The toilets and shelter sheds at McClelland's lookout and Big Crystal Creek and toilets at Little Crystal Creek are wheelchair-accessible.

    Park features

    The Mt Spec Section of the Paluma Range National Park straddles the summit and escarpment of the Paluma Range, rising 1000m 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.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    A camping area is provided at Big Crystal Creek. Camping permits are required and fees apply. Camping is only available to those who have booked a site in advance.

    To ensure a site during holiday periods you will need to book several weeks in advance.

    Other accommodation

    Camping is allowed at Lake Paluma, an area managed by North Queensland Water (NQW). Campsites must be pre-booked, either online or by calling (07) 4759 4759 (fees apply).

    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

    Walking

    McClelland's lookout to Cloudy Creek — 4km return (1.5 hours) Grade: Moderate

    A walking track leads through the rainforest from McClelland's lookout to Witt's lookout (1.5km one way) and to Cloudy Creek (2km one way).

    Picnic and day use areas

    There are picnic areas at Big Crystal Creek, Little Crystal Creek and McClelland's lookout. There are tables, barbecues, toilets and tap water at all sites. There is also a shelter shed at McClelland's lookout.

    Fishing

    Fishing is permitted in Crystal Creek only, in Paluma Range National Park. Bag and size limits apply. Details are available from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Always remember to be croc wise in crocodile country.

    Viewing wildlife

    Mount Spec Section of Paluma Range National Park is a great place to go birdwatching. Rainforest species can be seen as well as those which 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.

    Other things to do

    Visitors can swim at Paradise Waterhole, Big Crystal Creek and Little Crystal Creek but should check water depths before entering. Diving into creeks and waterholes is not recommended.

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Bring sturdy shoes for walking. It is also advisable to bring sunscreen, hat and clothes for protection from the sun.

    Opening hours

    Mt Spec Section of Paluma Range National Park is open 24 hours a day. Seasonal closures are common in the wet season, due to flooding. Occasionally in the dry season, the park will be closed due to fires.

    Permits and fees

    All camping areas within Paluma Range National Park require a camping permit and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite. Maximum length of stay is 22 days.

    Permits are required for all commercial activities or group functions within the park.

    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 3m. 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 on the climate 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, 700m north of the northern turnoff. More supplies and services can be obtained at Rollingstone, on the Bruce Highway, 10km south of the southern turnoff.

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Staying safe

    Please ensure you check the depth of water before entering. Diving into creeks and waterholes is not recommended. Be careful at the water's edge — the rocks can be slippery and accidents have occurred.

    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.

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Mt Spec Section of Paluma Range National Park is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It is managed for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.

    A management plan for Paluma Range National Park will be prepared in future.

    Tourism information links

    Flinders Mall Information Centre (Townsville Enterprise Ltd)
    Rainforest and Reef Information Centre
    • 142 Victoria Street, Cardwell QLD 4849
    • ph (07) 4066 8601
    • fax (07) 4066 8116

    For information on road conditions contact:

    RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
    • www.racq.com.au (see Motoring, Road Safety and Road Conditions Report)
    • ph 1300 130 595 for 24 hour road reports

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

    Further information

    EPA Reef and National Parks Information Centre
    • Old Quarantine Station, Pallarenda
    • PO Box 5391, Townsville QLD 4810
    • ph (07) 4722 5224
    • fax (07) 4722 5222
    • email tsv.infocentre@epa.qld.gov.au
    • Open 8.30am–5pm Monday–Friday, except public holidays and Christmas to New Year
    EPA Customer Service Centre
    • 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
    • PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
    • ph (07) 3227 8185
    • fax (07) 3227 8749
    • email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
    Smart Service (for camping bookings)

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    Last updated: 17 October 2008