Crystal Creek (Mutarnee)

Crystal Creek (also known as Saltwater Creek) is a creek in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.^[1] It runs for 17.5 km, beginning just below Paluma, flowing through the township of Mutarnee and emptying into the Coral Sea.^[2] It forms part of the Paluma Range National Park and is known for its division into two tourist destinations, namely Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek.

Country Australia

locationPaluma Dam

elevation~ 192 m (630 ft)

location

Pacific Ocean

Quick facts Location, Country ...

Crystal Creek
Little Crystal Creek
Location
Country	Australia
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Paluma Dam
• elevation	~ 192 m (630 ft)
Mouth
• location	Pacific Ocean
• coordinates	18.92861°S 146.32361°E / -18.92861; 146.32361
Length	17.5 km (10.9 mi)

Close

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 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.^[3]

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,^[4] 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 swimming destination known for its natural waterslide formed by mossy rocks.^[5]