Time to leave Townsville and the Coral Sea, and head just over one hour north to the tiny hamlet of Crystal Creek, the region containing some of Queenslands best waterfalls. First stop was Big Crystal Creek, which features Big Crystal Rock Slides and Paradise Pool. The water is literally crystal clear (and croc free), and after enjoying a swim in the falls and sliding down the rock slides, we drove to Paradise Pool and enjoyed a swim in the deep clear water. There was a high jumping rock that I had to try out, including a dive.
Little Crystal Creek was our next stop, where we again swam under the falls, and slid down the rock slides. We took a slight detour on our way back to our caravan park to the Frosty Mango, a tropical fruit ice cream shop, where one can try a wide range of fruit ice creams and sorbets made on site. Kim was in heaven. We also stopped off at the Bee Happy Fruit Stall to purchase some delicious local fresh fruit.
Next day we headed to Wallaman Falls, the highest single drop waterfalls in Australia. The falls are located in the Girringun National
Park, high up in the Seaview Range. The falls initially descend over a small number of cascades before the (879 ft) horsetail drop. In total, the falls descend over 305 metres. The view of the falls from the lookout was awesome, and we thought the hike down to the base of the waterfall would be relatively easy. Not so. The trail zig zagged down the side of the gorge for 2.8 kms, and the spray from the waterfall filled the lower gorge, raising the humidity level significantly. As we walked down the gorge, the vegetation changed from dry tropical to wet tropical. With the power of the water hitting the 20 metre deep pool at the base of the falls, I elected not to swim under the falls. We steeled ourselves for the hike back up the gorge, and had to stop several times and take a seat to catch our breath. After reaching the lookout, somewhat exhausted, we drove down from the range and headed to Lucinda.
A town, Lucinda is noted for its (3.58 mi) long sugar jetty, which is the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere and the worlds largest bulk sugar loading
facility Due to its length, the jetty could not be built flat but follows the curvature of the earth, creating a difference of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) between the two ends of the jetty. It takes 22 minutes for the sugar to travel the length of the jetty by conveyor belt. The length of the jetty is understandable, given Lucinda lies on the lee side of Hinchinbroook Island, which has created extensive sand flats exposed at low tide, which leaves large bulk ships unable to load close to shore.
Driving back via Ingham, we stopped off to visit the Tyto Wetlands. Tyto Wetlands is a 120 hectare rehabilitated wetland area, home to unique flora and fauna including over 240 species of birds (27.4% of Australias bird species in one location) and many Agile Wallabies. With extensive walking tracks, bird hides and viewing platforms, it was great to get up close to the local wildlife. There was even a saltie croc in one of the ponds, trapped from the last wet season.
Jourama Falls was our destination the next day, which lies high in the Paluma Range National Park. Fed by Waterview Creek, the hike up to
the falls lookout was steep on a hot, sunny morning. The heat necessitated another swim in the falls on the way back down to the car park.
Big Crystal Creek, however, was still our favourite place to cool off, so we headed back there for a swim. So refreshing on a hot spring day. From there we drove out to Balgal Beach, where we enjoyed lunch and a walk along the beach. It was still hot when we arrived back at the caravan park, so I headed for the pool to cool off.
Pretty amazing to be enjoying all these waterfalls and pools, when back home is still easing out of winter.
