Hermit Creek and Benham's Track
Located within the Paluma State Forest in North Queensland, Benham's Creek is just north-east of Hidden Valley, running adjacent to Benham's Track, and flows into Running River. Access is via Paluma Dam or via the Hidden Valley side of Paluma State Forest.
Location - Paluma State Forest, North Queensland, Australia
Distance - 23 km return
Time - 6-10 hours return
Difficulty - 5, moderate, off-track creek rock hopping
Located within Paluma State Forest in North Queensland, Hermit Creek is just northeast of Hidden Valley and flows into Running River. Here, you can find both Benham Falls and Hermit Falls. Hermit Creek was previously called Prospector's Creek but was later renamed due to the confusion with another creek of the same name nearby. Then, parallel to Hermit Creek is Benham's Track, which is now a dirt road that goes from Paluma Dam to Hidden Valley. Access to these areas is either via Paluma Dam (Paluma Range National Park) or the Hidden Valley side of Paluma State Forest.
The Benhams were among the first Europeans to explore and inhabit what is now Paluma Range National Park, and so it follows that many local place names in Paluma commemorate members of the Benham family. For example, a peak in the Paluma Range near Mt Spec was named Mt Benham, a scenic point near Witts Lookout was named Benham's Lookout; however, it was unfortunately closed by the Department of Environment in 1999, and Benham's Creek which is located near Cloudy Clearing (now Paluma Village).
Nicknamed 'possum', Arthur Benham is credited for clearing 'Cloudy Clearing', which is now known as Paluma Village. Some believe that, when the Benhams were setting up Cloudy Clearing, they were simply improving upon an existing Aboriginal campsite. It is hard to say for sure, however. Even though the Benhams were among the first Europeans in the Mt Spec-Paluma area, there are few historical reports that suggest they communicated with the local Aboriginal people.
The first portion of Benham's Track was cut from Hidden Valley into Mt Spec in the 1890s. The next section connected Mt Spec with the Benham brothers' mining activities in Cloudy Clearing. Arthur Benham is also credited with blazing a track from Cloudy Clearing down to the coast, passing near Mt Spec and the 'Mango Tree' at the base of the range. Later, other tracks were established connecting the Mt Spec area to the coast at Moongobulla (Ollera Creek).
A section of the Benham's Track was further improved by the Gorringe brothers to wagon road standards. At the time, this was one of few roads of that standard through the Paluma rainforest.
Part of the widened Benham's Track was used to access the Swamp Creek dam site when Paluma Dam construction began in the 1960s. Now, the dirt road is only partially trafficable and only under a Forestry permit (for vehicles).
Indeed, most of these tracks and lookouts were initially established to catalyse the exploration, and eventually transport that was needed for tin mining. Arthur, with partners MacDonald and Unsworth, are credited with finding alluvial tin at Cloudy Creek at the head of the Star River in December 1892, although his first recorded claim was not registered until July 1894 at Mt Benham.
As you wander downstream of Hermit Creek from Benham's Track, the first thing you'll notice is the water race, not far from the road. Left behind from the old tin mining days, this water race, although manmade, looks amazing with the mossy sides.
Benham Falls is also not far from the road and is an ideal two-hour walk from the Paluma Dam camping area. Back in 1966, army reservists, while on exercise, discovered this minor waterfall system near the dam, which they named Benham Falls in honour of Arthur Benham. Other great half-day walks from the Paluma Dam camping area include Ethel Falls and Crystal Falls.
The start of the creek is easy walking with a rocky granite creek bed with sparse vegetation. The creek slowly turns into a typical, stony pebble creek with no exposed rocks to place your feet, giving you the choice to either wade through the water or bush walk alongside the creek.
You may come across what may look like a clearing, which was Frederick Benham's tin-mining camp at Prospectors Creek (now Hermit Creek). This area appears on historical maps as Hermitville.
As you continue downstream, you may notice what might be the physical remains of the logging period; massive trees felled along the way now alter the flow of the creek in some parts. Off to the sides, you may see tree stumps – remains of the logging period. There is a nearby is a old saw mill (marked on the interactive map below) that is quite impressive to look upon.
This walk is very flat with very little elevation change. However, the creek is deep in some parts. You may find yourself having a refreshing swim.
Then, the creek opens back up to large granite slabs, allowing easy walking alongside the creek, and the vegetation changes from rainforest to bushland. The she-oak forest and woodlands are a welcome change. This part of the creek reminds me of the Running River, as it has large, exposed granite slabs, which can be perfect spots for snakes to sun themselves.
Hermit Falls is a spectacular sight to see and offers refreshing swimming areas.
Take note of the numerous cow pads around the area and seriously consider sterilising your water before drinking.
This walk is possible – return – in one day, but if you want to do it as an overnighter, there are several nice places along the way to rest and camp.
You could also just visit Hermit Falls from Hidden Valley. Or, you could visit Benham Falls from Paluma Dam. Each of the latter options would take approximately two hours return.
Continue around the bend to see a great waterfall system, Hermit Falls. When there is a bit of water flow, it truly is an outstanding sight! This multi-tiered waterfall system also offers some good rock scrambling and swimming opportunities.
Benham Falls is 6 km upstream from Hermit Falls.
Best time of year to go?
Just after the wet season is the best time because it has already started to cool down. Furthermore, the falls look beautiful with a large volume of water flowing through them.
What to bring
- Backpack
- Water for the day (or refill via the creek, as long as you sterilise your water)
- Food and snacks
- Sunscreen
- Mossie spray
- Dry bag
- First Aid Kit & PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)
- Navigation gear - map & compass and/or GPS unit
Interactive Map
Here's an interactive map of the area. A good options is to do a loop from Paluma Dam down the creek and back along the dirt road (Benham's Track).
For more history of Paluma, a good read is Paluma The First Eighty Years 1870s-1950s.
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