Swamp Creek to Big Birthday Creek Loop - Trip Report

Date: 14 March 2021
Leader: Luen
Participants: 6

Our small group headed out to Paluma Dam for another off-track exploratory adventure in the Mt Spec area, this time linking Swamp Creek with Big Birthday Creek in a loop. True to form, the walk began off track immediately, dropping down near the Paluma Dam pipe and making our way through open bush towards Swamp Creek.

Partway in, however, there was a change of plan. Rather than entering the creek straight away, Luen decided it was too good an opportunity to ignore a nearby summit that had been the subject of earlier discussion with Wilfred during one of their Thursday trail maintenance outings. There was a thought that this historic, unnamed high point might possibly be Mt Benham, so we turned uphill and regained the elevation we had only just lost. Although the extra climb was met with mixed enthusiasm, it turned out to be a lovely ascent through tall open forest, where the canopy helped keep the undergrowth surprisingly manageable. At the summit, though, there was no sign of any historic marking at all - no blaze, cairn, or other evidence to confirm its identity.

After that brief detour, we descended by a slightly different route and finally reached Swamp Creek. From there, we first headed upstream to inspect the main cascades and falls visible in aerial imagery near the dam wall. Having checked those out, we turned around and followed the creek downstream. Swamp Creek proved to be a very attractive watercourse - open, rocky, sunny, and lined more with bush rather than dense rainforest. Along the way, there were several lovely drops, cascades, and waterfalls, some larger and more impressive than expected, making for an enjoyable and scenic creek walk.

At the junction with Big Birthday Creek, the character of the day changed again. We turned upstream and entered a far more enclosed and magical world of crystal-clear blue water, cool shade, and rainforest-lined pools. This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. We walked, waded, and swam upstream, enjoying the refreshing water and the creek's beauty. One participant, despite not being confident in the water, tackled the short swims with determination, faced their fears, and did brilliantly. It was a great moment and a reminder of how supportive and rewarding these adventure walks can be.

This section of Big Birthday Creek was especially memorable, with its luminous aqua pools, thick ferns crowding the banks, small side waterfalls trickling in from tributaries, and life around us. We also spotted a common blue dragon, adding another nice touch to an already beautiful day. Between the swimming, the shade, and the creek's constant variety, it was a full and adventurous outing without ever feeling too harsh.

By the end, it had certainly turned into a bigger day than expected. In hindsight, a car shuffle to the Big Birthday Creek Falls car park may have made logistical sense, but the extra walking was a small price to pay for such a varied and rewarding route.

A terrific exploratory loop - part peak-bagging mystery, part open rocky creek walk, and part rainforest swimming adventure. I will certainly be back in Big Birthday Creek again and suss out the lilo potential.

- Luen