Witts Lookout & Cloudy Creek Track
The Track starts at the Loop Road vehicle turnaround area adjacent to McClelland's Lookout. The walk to Witts Lookout is approx 1.5k across predominately flat terrain. The track is well defined and sign-posted and passes through upland rainforest into a totally different vegetation type at the Lookout. Along the track are six National Parks interpretive signboards describing the rainforest, some of its features and the reasons for the dramatic change in the vegetation.
Witts Lookout provides spectacular views of the Crystal Creek valley and coastal views out to the Palm Island group.
Approx 600 metres before Witts Lookout, the track divides, the left fork goes to Cloudy Creek and the right to Witts (clearly signposted)
The walk from the start (McCellands) to Cloudy Creek is approx 3 kilometres and is an 'out and back' track. From the Witts Lookout junction the track passes along the escarpment thru an area of unlogged forest displaying some examples of majestic old growth trees.
The last half kilometre down into Cloudy Creek is well defined but is very steep. The Creek and Falls are a wonderful example of an idyllic rainforest stream ecosystem. Good swimming is available in ponds, except in the middle of the dry season.
McCellands Lookout and Picnic Area
Short circuit walk of approx 100 metres starting at the National Parks carpark and finishing at the Loop Road turn-around. This is a bitumen sealed track taking visitors thru the picnic area to the lookout. For wheelchair access, disembark from vehicles in the cul-de-sac area. McClelland's Lookout provides wonderful views of the Palm Island group and north to along the coast to Hinchinbrook Island. The picnic area has toilets, shelter shed, tap water, tables and free gas BBQ's.
Paluma Rainforest Walk
The Rainforest Walk is a short, 600 metre walk starting opposite the Paluma Community Centre (adjacent to public toilets and park) The track is across undulating country and has lookouts into the mid level of the canopy as well as a boardwalk along a rainforest stream that has been excavated to form a tin mining 'race'. This formation was used to move water through the forest to adjacent mine sites. This track is a circuit walk and exits on the main road at the western end of the Village approx 4oo metres from the start.
Forestry 'H' Track
The H Track is a circuit walk with two entrances, one behind the old Police Station and the other off the back of Lennox Crescent. Both ends of this 1.3 kilometre walk are sign-posted.
Starting at the Police Station end, the path follows the old Whalley Brothers Logging Track down into a wet creek. A small timber bridge crosses this pretty creek which runs all year round (no swimming please - used for freshwater studies). A table and seating has been constructed to form an outdoor classroom that is ideal as a quiet reflection spot.
This well defined track passes up and down several gullies (gradients are reasonably steep) that show evidence of old tin mining and forestry activity. This track is a much quieter walk than the Rainforest Walk or the Witts Lookout walk as it is less well known to the general public.
