Scrambling Nolan's Gully
Witts Lookout showcases a beautiful view over Nolans Gully and out to the ocean. Hiking down into the creek is very steep but you are rewarded with waterfalls, cliff jumps and perfect swimming holes.
Location - Paluma Range National Park, North Queensland, Australia
Grade - 5, recommended for experienced bushwalkers
Distance - approximately 6 km one way
Time - allow 6-10 hours
Also see Cloudy Creek and Ethel Creek
Witts Lookout showcases a beautiful view over Nolans Gully and out to the ocean. Hiking down into the creek is very steep but you are rewarded with waterfalls, cliff jumps and perfect swimming holes.
The track to Witts Lookout from McClelland's Lookout is well-defined and sign-posted and passes through upland rainforest into a totally different vegetation type at the Lookout. Along the track are six National Parks interpretive signs describing the rainforest, some of its features and the reasons for the dramatic change in the vegetation. On a clear day, Witts Lookout provides spectacular views of the Crystal Creek valley and coastal views out to the Halifax Bay and the Palm Island group to the north-east.
Find your way down from the Witt's Lookout track into the headwaters of Nolan's Gully. Once you're in the creek, make your way downstream and notice how the vegetation changes. Soon you will come to a large waterfall which you will have to scramble around left. Continue downstream wading, jumping, and swimming.
Interactive Map
Here's an interactive route of the area.
Notes
Since Paluma Township above, it is recommended to sterilise the water in the creek before consuming.
To eliminate a car shuttle, it is suggested that you up either Cloudy Creek or Ethel Creek and down Nolans Gully (from Witt's Lookout) - This is possible in a day but it's a long day and you need to be fit and experienced in rock hopping and rock scrambling. It is recommended to postpone your trip if it's going to rain and rock become very slippery.
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