Visitors return to mountain village of Paluma after flooding rains

A rainforest retreat tucked away in the misty mountain ranges north of Townsville is welcoming back visitors for the first time in more than a year. 

Paluma is a gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, naturally attracting wildlife and wanderers.

Access to Paluma was restricted to permit-holders after torrential rain washed away the main access route in early 2025.

“There was a really good vibe here, then the road shut, and it has been a ghost town,” Paluma Ivy Cottage owner Carolyn Richards said.

A Bureau of Meteorology rain gauge in Paluma recorded more than two metres of rain in as many days in February 2025.

As repairs progress on the damaged Mount Spec Road, the permit system has been lifted.

Travellers are now able to follow hourly pilot vehicles to and from Paluma between 6am and 6pm

Businesses in the tiny town took the plunge and reopened over the weekend.

“I was actually really nervous reopening because it is familiar, but it is not, and we didn’t know how we would go,” Ms Richards said.

“But it has been a fabulous day.”

Saturday was Ivy Cottage’s first day of trade in 16 months.

Several private bookings have been the only visitors to the cafe since the road was damaged.

For some, the social cost of closure outweighed the financial burden.

Paluma potter Len Cook said the downturn in visitors meant less social interaction.

“I was fortunate I wasn’t relying on income from my pots to survive over that terrible time,” Mr Cook said.   

“A few years ago, I might have been a bit panicked and having to go out and do markets.

“It was literally weeks where I wasn’t speaking to anybody unless I went to Ingham or Townsville.”

Mr Cook said he welcomed back his first walk-ins on Saturday.

“It puts a smile on my face and their face too, so it’s good,” he said.

The Wattle n Gum Bush Band drew visitors to Paluma on Saturday before the return of the annual winter markets on Sunday.

Event organiser and treasurer of the Paluma Community Association, Wilfred Karnoll, said more visitors were sorely needed.

“It’s great to see the village has some life back into it again,” Mr Karnoll said.

“Anybody who wants to come up for a look or a bushwalk has the opportunity to do so without too much trouble.

“It is well worth it to enjoy the natural surroundings of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.”

Mount Spec Road is not expected to be fully repaired for several months.

The reconstruction work is being led by the Queensland government Department of Transport and Main Roads. 

The department has identified 35 sites along the winding road for repair.