If you are looking to get away from Australia’s popular resort towns, but are still looking for great weather, friendly service, and pristine beaches, Mackay is the place for you. Located about six hundred miles north of Brisbane, Mackay is the sugar capital of Australia as the area produces more than one-third of Australia’s cane sugar crops. The region is home to fantastic beaches, many of which are patrolled year round, and is also a popular place for fishing. There are several islands off the coast where visitors can indulge in a luxurious stay at a romantic resort or where they can get close to the land by camping. St. Bees Island is a great place to see koalas, and the neighbouring Keswick Island is known for its reef diving.
The most popular park in the region is Eungella National Park. This is Queensland’s most ecologically diverse park, and is a great place to visit because many of the walking tracks are relatively short and easy, allowing everyone to enjoy the scenery. There are also two scenic drives and a multitude of picnic spots. Be sure to visit Sky Window for the exceptional views and the Broken River viewing platform where, if you’re lucky, you might spot a platypus!
Cape Hillsborough National Park is another popular place, mainly because its resident wallaby population is inordinately friendly and makes a morning trek down to the beach. For your safety and theirs, please don’t feed the wildlife, no matter how friendly they appear. Here the rainforests cover the mountains and extend right up to the sandy edge of the beach and in the water beyond lies the Great Barrier Reef.
The city of Mackay itself makes a great stop as well, with a new modern art centre and their local botanical gardens. With excellent accommodation and dining, it is a great place to start your exploration of this remarkable area.
Located in Queensland, close to the border of New South Wales, and only one hundred kilometers south of Brisbane is the remarkable area of Springbrook. With lush rainforests and incredible waterfalls, it is a beautiful place for photographers and nature lovers.
Springbrook National Park is almost 3000 hectares and is divided into three sections – Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal, and Natural Bridge. Walking tracks in the park are generally of an easier nature, allowing all visitors, including children, to enjoy the rich scenery. Do supervise children closely as there are sheer dropoffs, particularly near waterfalls and lookouts. The waterfall at the Goomoolahra picnic grounds in the Springbook Plateau provides an excellent backdrop for lunch, and there are two excellent lookouts here as well. The Tallanbana picnic area also has a short walk to the spectacular Twin Falls. The Purlingbroke Falls are famous for their one hundred meter drop into a pool surrounded by ferns and lilies, so be sure to stop at the lookouts here, or take the walking tracks that lead down to the Waringa rock pool, a popular swimming hole.
The Natural Bridge is a unique rock formation where water falls through the roof of a basalt cave. The walk to the bridge is an easy trek through beautiful rainforest filled with birds. Natural Bridge is most famous for its glow-worm colony and luminescent funghi. Walking unattended at night is not recommended, so join one of many local nocturnal tours that take visitors to see the glow-worms up close. Orchid walks and bush tours are also available. Also in the area is the Springbrook Homestead, home to the local observatory. Evening tours can be arranged for viewing of the moon and stars, and astrophotographers are warmly encouraged to visit the centre.
Located on the Gold Coast, Lamington National Park is made up of two distinct sections, the Binna Burra area and the Green Mountains. Overall, the park encompasses more than 20,000 hectares of land, and is mainly made up of ancient rainforest. There are extensive walking tracks in the area suitable for all fitness levels, and the forests are filled with exotic birds. Lizards, snakes, and small mammals can also sometimes be seen. Visitors that make their way up to the mountainous lookouts, either by hiking or by road, will be rewarded with phenomenal views of Queensland and its neighboring state of New South Wales. The area is full of fast-flowing streams and waterfalls which create pools where it may even be possible to spot an elusive platypus.
There are two mountain lodges located inside the park, both offering excellent eco-tourism programs. O’Reilly’s offers guests excellent views, luxurious rooms, and even a spa. They offer a multitude of day trips, including guided walks and four wheel drive excursions, as well as nature presentations and tours as part of their Discovery Program. The Tree Top Walk is a 300 meter long walk along nine suspension bridges 180 meters from the ground. It offers an exceptional opportunity to view the forest and its inhabitants from a very unique perspective. The Binna Burra Lodge is located on the other side of the park, and offers both rustic cabins as well as hotel rooms for accommodation. A variety of day trips are available, including adventurous activities such as abseiling and zip lining through the tree tops, as well as guided day hikes and birdwatching. A health spa and evening entertainment round out a visitor’s stay.
The southern area of the park can be accessed through Christmas Creek or the Lost World Valley, both of which offer varied accommodation options including bed and breakfasts and farmstays.
