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Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole)

Swimming in Paradise at Paradise Lagoon Townsville

December 30, 2014 By Jan Robinson 7 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


Swimming at Paradise Lagoon Townsville is North Queensland’s version of swimming in Paradise. Paradise Lagoon is a fresh waterhole in Big Crystal Creek at the base of the Paluma range.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole)

How to get to Big Crystal Creek Townsville

Then follow the Bruce Highway north from Townsville or South from Ingham and turn off at the Frosty Mango. Paradise Waterhole is a deep long pool situated in Big Crystal Creek.

We like to swim in Paradise on Australia Day, the 25th January, but this year we were a little early.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole)

Follow the signs for a bit of dirt road action.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

We are north of Rollingstone here, and as far as I am concerned that is the southern extremity of the Wet Tropics area of North Queensland.  Cardwell is generally considered that point, but Townsville’s wet season weather report always says “scattered showers north of Rollingstone”.  It is quite a wet area and a popular place to grow pineapples and mangoes.  Once off the Bruce Highway and tearing along the dirt toward Paradise we passed Mango farms with plump fruit that dangled temptingly.

Shortly after passing the mango and lychee farm we arrive to a full carpark and make our way through the picnic area toward the waterhole.  Some families have scored the picnic tables while others came prepared with rugs and erected tarpaulins as tents – you never know when it will rain and the sun is strong.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

 

 

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

 

When to visit Crystal Creek Townsville

At this time of year – the “Wet Season” – the water should be rushing through – creating a current and cleaning the moss from the rocks.  

On this visit there was a steady trickle flowing through the lagoon keeping it fresh but the water had a definite green tinge.  The water tumbled down from the cool rainforest of the Paluma Range, crashing over huge slippery boulders on it’s way to the flat coastal plain.  Even down here on the coast the creek is known for it’s freezing cold water, but on Boxing Day it was cool enough to be refreshing but lacked the chill factor.  The sticky hot weather and ominous clouds were full of the (unfulfilled) promise of rain. The clouds were preferable though, to the bursts of sunlight which made us boil.

Even at the low levels, the water was deep enough to be able to jump safely from the rocks into the deepest hole.  We spotted fish to 30cm long and I know from experience that at night curious eels come out from their watery hiding holes amongst the rocks.

We intend to come back here when we take delivery of our Caravan in February and stay once again in the campground.  After 5 p.m. when the lagoon is deserted, we will don our bathers grab a cold drink and set up waterside.

The quiet of the Australian bush + a twilight swim = Paradise.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

 

Looking upstream toward Mt. Spec and the Paluma Range.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

 

Looking downstream where rapids eventually lead beneath the highway, via random swimming holes to the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

 

Didn’t Bring a Chair?  No Worries, just pull up a piece of rock.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

 

The downstream extremity of the waterhole.  

From here the creek reverts to rapids.

Swimming in Paradise (Waterhole) north of Townsville in North Queensland

Little Crystal Creek Townsville

The road continues on up the Paluma Range to Mt. Spec. En-route is another swimming hole called Little Crystal Creek. You can read about it here.

Paradise Lagoon at Big Crystal Creek is one of our reasons to drive north from Townsville to Lucinda.

Budget Tips

Glass containers are not allowed at the waterhole.

There are free BBQ’s, flushing toilets and cold showers on site.

Bring an esky (Cooler) with food and drinks (plastic or aluminium containers), hat, towel, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Pack a camera to capture the Kookaburras and Giant Monitor Lizards that frequent the picnic grounds.

The swimming hole is deep and flotation devices are popular with families.

A camping ground adjoins the day area and shared amenities block.

This LINK has information for bookings.

Paradise Waterhole is 45 minutes north of Townsville.

2km further along the road are the rock slides.  A trip to the slides involves a 15 minute walk and it is wise to bring old shorts to wear over your bathers.

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Filed Under: Townsville, tropical lifestyle

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

Previous Post: «Big Hand and Puffer Fish at Dotonbori Osaka More Bright Lights in Dotonbori Osaka Japan
Next Post: Kinkakuji the shimmering Golden Pavilion of Kyoto Looking at the two shining gold levels above a white level of Kinkaku-ji from the back showing reflections of trees and temple in the lake»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Muza-chan

    January 1, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Beautiful place… Happy New Year! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 2, 2015 at 3:45 am

      Same to you Lily 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kathy Marris

    January 2, 2015 at 8:20 am

    There is nothing more refreshing that swimming in a freshwater rock pool. That is what I liked most about our trip in 2014 to The Kimberley – gorgeous cascades and rock pools where you could cool off after a long hike. I will certainly have to get up your way at some stage.

    Reply
  3. Agness

    January 2, 2015 at 9:04 am

    This place’s absolutely wonderful!!! I’m already in love.

    Reply
  4. Life Images by Jill

    January 13, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    this looks like my kind of paradise. We are yet to get to Queensland, but it is on our list!
    Wishing you a wonderful travels in 2015. and thanks for stopping by my blog last week.

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 13, 2015 at 7:19 pm

      Queensland is a long way from home for you!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Ten Reasons to Escape Townsville and drive north to Lucinda says:
    November 7, 2015 at 10:52 am

    […] The Paluma Range is easy to access from Frosty as is our favourite swimming spot Paradise Waterhole. […]

    Reply

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