Jourama Falls: Walks & Wildlife, Paluma Range National Park, QLD.

Jourama Falls

Jourama Falls Camping Area to Second Causeway:
This short easy walk is great for spotting Saw-shelled Turtles in Waterview Creek. We startled a flock of Peaceful Doves on the walk.

Saw-shelled Turtle

Peaceful Dove

If you don't mind getting your feet feet you could cross Second Causeway and continue on the short distance to the excellent Day Use Area and swimming platform.

Second Causeway

Jourama Falls Walking Track: Moderade Grade.
3 km return from the car park.
4.4 km return from the campground.

It is a pleasant 700 m walk from the campground to the car park at the end of the road.

Car Park and Trailhead for Jourama Falls Walking Track

The walk has interesting scenery criss-crossing Waterview Creek before climbing the last 600 meters to the lookout.

Waterview Creek

Crossing Waterview Creek

It is hard to capture the huge scale of Jourama Creek Falls. In my photo it looks like a trickle, and no doubt it wasn't in full flow when we were there, but in fact each fall is like a regular waterfall and there are several of them descending the rock face. We were very impressed and stood at the lookout for some time taking it all in.

Jourama Falls

We descended and explored Waterfall Creek for some distance but we didn't venture all the way to the bottom of the falls.

Rock formations with Jourama Falls in the distance.

We saw lots of Northern Fantails and Dusky Honeyeaters on the walk.

Northern Fantail

Dusky Honeyeater

We were attracted by the  distinctive trees with tessellated bark. I would hazard a guess that they are Corymbia tessellaris commonly known as Carbeen but trees aren't my strong point. Ant nests in trees were also a common sight.

Tessellated Bark.

Ant nest.

Information about Jourama Falls Camping Area is here.

Birds and Wildlife seen by us in June 2020:

Butterflies: Orange Plane, Evening Brown (winter form). Heliotrope Moth. 

Sugar Ants, Fish, Saw-shelled Turtle, Kangaroo.

Birds: Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Grey Fantail, Northern Fantail, Emerald Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Peaceful Dove, Australian Brush Turkey, Dusky Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Graceful Honeyeater, Little Shrike-thrush, Spectacled Monarch, Spangled Drongo, Pale-yellow Robin ssp nana, Azure Kingfisher, Forest Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow.

Jourama Falls Camping Area, Paluma Range National Park, QLD.

Jourama Falls Camping Area

Jourama Falls Camping Area has sites placed around a ring road. Each site is grassy and bordered by trees. Many sites had a table and there were a few non-potable water taps scattered through the campground. There are flush toilets and one shower cubicle with cold water. It is now necessary to book before arrival as there is no longer onsite self-registration available and there is no phone reception.

Our campsite at Jourama Falls Camping Area

Many sites have tables.

Emerald Doves walk through the campground in the afternoons. As we come from south-eastern Queensland we were happy to see a few north Queensland birds such as Northern Fantail, Pale Yellow Robin ssp nana, Graceful Honeyeater and Orange-footed Scrubfowl.

Emerald Dove

Northern Fantail

The walk to Jourama Falls starts 700 meters from the car park at the end of the road. There is also a short, easy walk from the campground to Second Causeway. I will cover the walks in the next blog.
Access to the campground is suitable for most vehicles with the last four kilometers being unsealed. However, there are two causeways which can become flooded. 

First Causeway

Second Causeway

The road was being graded and rolled when we were leaving.

The access road being graded and rolled as we left.

Between First Causeway and Second Causeway there is an excellent day use area with barbecues and tables. Waterview Creek is crystal clear and looked perfect for swimming with easy access in and out of the water from the swimming platform.

Jourama Falls Day Use Area

Reflections on Waterview Creek at the swimming platform in the Day Use Area.

Details for Jourama Falls Camping Area, Paluma Range National Park, QLD:

Where: 91 km north of Townsville or 24 km south of Ingham, turn off the Bruce HWY onto Jourama Road. Continue on to Jourama Falls Road past the Day Use Area to the campground.
Access: Suitable for most vehicles. However, there are two causeways that can flood and about 4 km of unsealed road.

Camping: Suitable for tents, camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes. Sites probably a bit small for big rigs. Grassy sites with shade.
Bookings: Must book before arrival; no longer has self-registration. Online or phone 13 74 68. No mobile phone reception at campground.
Fees: $6.75 per adult per night, $27 family rates (up to 2 adults and 6 children, under 18).
Facilities: Flush toilets, cold water shower, non-potable water, free gas BBQ. Many sites have a table. No bins. Swimming in Waterview Creek. Walks. Day Use Area about 1 km away.
Prohibitions: No pets. No generators. No fires. No swimming in restricted area near waterfall. No soap in the water.
Caution: Access may be restricted in wet season due to flooding over causeways.

Birds and Wildlife seen by us in June 2020:

Butterflies: Orange Plane, Evening Brown (winter form). Heliotrope Moth. 

Sugar Ants, Fish, Saw-shelled Turtle, Kangaroo.

Birds: Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Grey Fantail, Northern Fantail, Emerald Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Peaceful Dove, Australian Brush Turkey, Dusky Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Graceful Honeyeater, Little Shrike-thrush, Spectacled Monarch, Spangled Drongo, Pale-yellow Robin ssp nana, Azure Kingfisher, Forest Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow.