Paluma Range National Park Park

Protected rainforest park with waterfalls and walking trails

North of Townsville, Paluma Range National Park holds rainforest plateaus, creeks and waterfalls served by boardwalks and lookouts. Hikers visit for swimming holes, short trails and cloudforest birdwatching.

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Paluma Range National Park at a Glance#

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How to Get to Paluma Range National Park#

Paluma Range is about 50-70 km north of Townsville. The usual route is via the Bruce Highway (A1) then follow the turnoffs for Paluma-Horseshoe Bay Road and Paluma Range Road to reach the village of Paluma and park entrances. From Townsville CBD it’s roughly a 1-1.5 hour drive. Some walking trails and picnic areas have short access tracks from car parks near the village and dams.

Tips for Visiting Paluma Range National Park#

  • Drive the Paluma Range Road rather than trying steep forest tracks-local signage improves access.
  • Visit the Paluma Dam catchment early morning for mist and bird activity.
  • Wear insect repellent in the wet season; leeches are present on shaded trails after heavy rain.
  • If hiking to Little Crystal Creek, use the downstream picnic area-its pools are less crowded and the plunge pools are safe for swimming.

Best Time to Visit Paluma Range National Park#

Paluma Range National Park is most enjoyable in the drier months (April-November) when trails are accessible and humidity is lower.

Dry season (April-November)
Apr-Nov · 15-28°C
Pleasant walking weather, fewer mosquitoes, clearer visibility in the rainforest gullies.
Wet season (December-March)
Dec-Mar · 22-32°C
Lush growth, swollen waterfalls and creeks-best for photographers but expect leeches, mosquitoes and muddy trails.

Weather & Climate near Paluma Range National Park#

Climate

Paluma Range National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 11°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1335 mm/year), wettest in February with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 23 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 20° - 28° 24° 209 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
February - 20° - 27° 24° 378 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
March - 19° - 26° 23° 203 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
April - 17° - 24° 21° 113 mm - - 5.5 m/s - -
May - 15° - 22° 18° 86 mm - - 5.7 m/s - -
June - 12° - 19° 16° 37 mm - - 5.3 m/s - -
July - 11° - 18° 15° 20 mm - - 4.8 m/s - -
August - 12° - 20° 16° 30 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
September - 14° - 22° 18° 23 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
October - 16° - 24° 20° 23 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
November - 18° - 26° 22° 79 mm - - 5.2 m/s - -
December - 19° - 27° 23° 134 mm - - 5.2 m/s - -