Crystal Creek (Mutarnee)
| Crystal Creek | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Pacific Ocean |
| Length | 17.5 km (10.9 mi) |
Crystal Creek is a picturesque creek that runs for 17.5 km, beginning just below Paluma, Queensland, flowing through the township of Mutarnee and emptying into the Coral Sea.[1] It forms part of the Paluma Range National Park and is known for its division into two popular tourist destinations, namely Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek.
Little Crystal Creek is situated approximately two thirds of the way along Mt Spec Road, heading towards the village of Paluma. This location consists of a number of small crystal clear swimming holes and waterfalls, as well as the Little Crystal Creek Bridge, an historical arch bridge of which construction began in 1932. Facilities here include a wheelchair accessible picnic area, barbecues and toilets.[2]
Big Crystal Creek is located a few kilometres downstream from Little Crystal Creek, at the end of Spiegelhauer Road. Facilities at Big Crystal Creek also include a wheelchair accessible picnic area, barbecues, toilets, as well as a designated camping ground. The most popular of the swimming holes at Big Crystal Creek is Paradise Waterhole,[3] which is substantially larger than that of the Little Crystal Creek waterholes, and can be accessed by a short walk from the picnic area along a bush track. Further down the road from the picnic area, the Big Crystal Creek Rockslides can be found, which is another popular swimming destination known for its natural waterslide formed by mossy rocks.[4]
Heritage listings
Crystal Creek has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Mt Spec Road: Mt Spec Road and Little Crystal Creek Bridge[5]
See also
References
- ^ Map of Crystal Creek, Qld, accessed 3 November 2010.
- ^ Discover Thuringowa: Paluma, accessed 3 November 2010.
- ^ Wet Tropics: Big Crystal Creek (Paradise Waterhole), accessed 3 November 2010.
- ^ Wet Tropics: Big Crystal Creek (Rockslides), accessed 3 November 2010.
- ^ "Mt Spec Road and Little Crystal Creek Bridge (entry 602652)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 16 July 2013.