One of my favorite detours away from the East Coast of Australia was to Eungella National Park in Queensland. This national park has so much to offer visitors! Most importantly, it’s one of the best places in Australia to spot a platypus, the elusive, egg-laying mammal that is found only in Australia. If you’re planning an East Coast road trip, here you go – a travel guide for Eungella National Park!
Where is Eungella National Park?
Eungella National Park is about 85km west of Mackay, on the East Coast. It’ll take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive there. Finch Hatton is closer to Mackay, about a 50-minute drive west. Mackay is in northern Queensland, about two-thirds of the way north from Brisbane to Cairns. Eungella National Park is close to the small town of Eungella.
How to Get to Eungella National Park
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation available in the national park. So, if you want to visit, you’ll need your own set of wheels. The road up to Eungella from the valley is steep and winding – drive carefully. Note that there is no fuel in Eungella – there is a gas station in the valley, near Finch Hatton. There is a road sign stating no fuel up ahead, so check your tank and fill up if you need to. If you don’t have a car, check out the tours below that depart from Airlie Beach and Mackay!
Most of the national park is fine to access with a regular 2WD vehicle. Parts of the road to Eungella Dam are unsealed. Some of the unsealed roads in the national park (like Diggings Road) require a high-clearance 4WD. But if you’re just going to Broken River, you’ll be fine on the sealed road.
The Best Things to See and Do in Eungella National Park
There is a lot to see and do around the area if you like being outdoors! There are lots of hikes you can do, plus waterfalls for swimming. I had about 2.5 days here, but could have had another day or two if all of the walking tracks had been open!
Spot a platypus at Broken River
This is the number one reason I came to Eungella National Park – I wanted to see a platypus in the wild! These are shy animals, and can be tricky to spot. There is a viewing platform close to Broken River day-use area and across the river from Broken River campground. Within five minutes of my arrival here, I saw a platypus!!! I actually saw several over the course of the hour!
I loved getting to see these unique creatures in the wild. Australia is home to such amazing wildlife – I feel so lucky to have seen so much of it! The best time to see the platypuses are in the early morning (4:00-8:00am) and in the early evening (3:00-6:00pm). Be quiet when you’re on the viewing platform, and look for the bubbles in the water that indicate a platypus is about to come up for air!
Admire the view from the Sky Window Lookout
This has to be one of the most spectacular views in Queensland! The Sky Window loop is a very short (500-meter) walk to see some of the best views over the mountain range and valley. I actually went here twice, to photograph the landscapes at different times of the day.
Walk the Pine Grove and Cedar Grove Trails
These are two short and easy trails, which can be combined into one loop. You can start at the Sky Window parking area, or at the Pine Grove parking area in Eungella (next to the school). I started at the Sky Window, walked the Cedar Grove trail, and then joined the Pine Grove loop. I returned back to the Cedar Grove trail to Sky Window. Altogether, it was 5.75km and took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to do the full loop.
Hike the Clark Range or Crediton Creek Trails
These are two longer, and more challenging, trails in Eungella National Park. Unfortunately, the Clarke Range track was closed when I visited. The Clark Range track is 8.2km one-way, and the Crediton Creek trail is 8km one-way. If you are doing the Crediton Creek track and have the energy, you can add on a short circuit of the Wishing Pool, which is an extra 1.7km.
Relax at Eungella Dam
I didn’t actually get to Eungella Dam, as it was just too much driving for me and I didn’t want to deal with any unsealed roads traveling alone. But this is a picturesque and peaceful part of the national park, and I regret not going!
Swim at Finch Hatton Gorge
Finch Hatton Gorge is a separate area of the park, down in the valley. But I loved my stop here – don’t miss it! There are two waterfalls you can hike to here: Araluen, and the Wheel of Fire Cascades. You can swim at Araluen, but I didn’t as it was sprinkling rain when I went. To get to the Wheel of Fire, you’ll need to cross the creek at Callistemon Crossing – this is weather dependent, so be careful going across the rocks. I hiked to Araluen, then the Wheel of Fire, and back to the car park – this was about 6km and took me 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you’re driving a 2WD, note that there are several water crossings to go through to get to the main parking area for Finch Hatton Gorge. I would have been fine in my Nissan X-Trail (I actually hitched a ride with a nice older Polish couple in their RV), but be cautious. There is a parking area before the first creek crossing – where it’s about a 20-minute walk (each way) to the start of the trails.
Please swim safely, and exercise extreme caution. There have been several deaths at Finch Hatton Gorge – there are signs everywhere around the Wheel of Fire urging you not to swim. If you do choose to swim, remember you’re swimming at your own risk.
Planning Your Trip to Eungella National Park
You will need a car to visit Eungella National Park. Note there is no fuel available in the town of Eungella, so be sure you have enough gas to get you there and back. The closest airport to Eungella National Park is Mackay airport, although Cairns airport is larger with more international flight options. I always use Skyscanner to book my flights. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. If you’re wanting to visit Eungella National Park on a tour, check out these tours from Mackay and Airlie Beach.
Where to Stay in Eungella National Park
I stayed at Broken River campground in Eungella National Park. This is a small campground (about 15 sites) run by Queensland National Parks. You’ll need to book online in advance, and it costs $7.25 AUD per person, per night. I definitely recommend staying here if you’re wanting to see platypuses, as it’s right across the river from the viewing platform! It’s a prime location for platypus-spotting, and easy access to several walks. There is also the Fern Flat campground, which is near Broken River. Note that I had no (Optus) phone signal here.
If you’re not wanting to camp, there are a few other convenient options nearby! Broken River Mountain Resort looks stunning, and it’s very close to the above campgrounds – so the location is great. Eungella Cabins offers private chalets and is located in the town of Eungella.
There are also a few campsites and accommodation options near Finch Hatton Gorge. If you’re wanting to see a platypus, I suggest having at least one night around Broken River! You don’t want to be rushed on time having to drive up and down the mountain pass in one day, to get to accommodation around Finch Hatton.
Visiting Eungella National Park and spotting my first ever platypus was a highlight of my time traveling up the East Coast. I’m so glad I stopped here, and I feel so lucky to have spotted so many platypuses! If you’re visiting the Mackay area, I absolutely recommend visiting this place. I hope this guide helps planning your trip to Eungella National Park!
Have you visited Eungella National Park or seen a platypus in the wild before?!
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