Birthday surprise at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
Lake Paluma was an unexpected colourful experience in many ways. But there was a bigger surprise for me to come at Paluma State Forest. I eventually warmed up from the rising sun and was on my way to Birthday Creek Falls. The hiking trail passed through dense and lush vegetation.
Birthday Creek lid up like candles at Paluma State Forest, Northern Queensland, Australia
Birthday Creek lid up by the early morning sun, glaring through the forest.
Colourful natural display at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The colour spectrum increased significantly as Birthday Creek widened before the falls.
Green colours all around at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The greens from trees around the creek edge matched the green algae hanging on to submerged rocks.
Gently cascading down at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The deep blue sky reflected of the creek surface as little cascades started to appear. Dry granite rocks added to structure of the surroundings. Just spectacular, and I started to wonder!
Supersized Birthday Cake at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
I don’t know where the name Birthday Creek Falls originates from.
Black and white Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
However, who ever did name these falls had the same vivid and creative imagination as I do.
Natural cake display at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
To me, these falls look like an oversized birthday cake in 5 tiers full of life, colours and decorations. I have seen many waterfalls and made quite a few birthday cakes. If you are a little confused, let me show you how detailed the similarities are.
Cake layout at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The base is layered in 5 granite rock tiers, which gradually and smoothly combine with lower levels.
5 layered Birthday cake at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
Each level has their own creative waterfall decoration. Just like icing on a cake, or flowing white chocolate in this case. Some cascades are narrow and fast flowing. Others were wider or even double up. I could only imagine what this birthday cake would look like in the wet season.
Marble base at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The cake base appears like a marble cake, only with oversized smooth marbles.
Natural decorations at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The bottom tier is laid with extras, garnished with fallen trees and greens on either side.
Colourful overflow at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
A waterfall to the left hand side acts like an excess overflow.
Liquid sugar flow at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
This overflow of this crystal clear creek has the same colour as liquid sugar at 140 degrees Celsius. The sugar flow is flanked by deep green vegetation of grass, ferns, trees and moss clinging on to boulders and fallen trees.
Cake base layout Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
Around the cake is a colourful display of flowing water, small pools and granite rock.
Waterfall reflections at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
Even reflections of the waterfalls on a still pool are included in this natural masterpiece. Who would have thought off that?
Granite boulders in and above water at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The run-in waters on top of the falls are just as stunning. Only the dry edges of the boulders give away their location above water level.
See through waters at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
Literally see through waters in shimmering green and sky blue reflections complete this colourful spectrum.
Fan tail waters at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
The narrow creek widens just before the drop off and disperses like a fan tail.
Fairy floss falls at Birthday Creek, Northern Queensland, Australia
Fairy floss are dotted along the edges of the upper layer, overlooking mountains a far,
Marbleous cascades at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
just before they cascade to the next level and to the valley below.
Just spectacular Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
There couldn’t be a more suitable name for this creek and it’s waterfall as I would be more then happy to celebrate my birthday here.
Noisy serenity at Birthday Creek Falls, Northern Queensland, Australia
Or just sit quietly by the creek and listen to the thunderous sounds, as I did today.
Travels with Ben 