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.
Part of Queensland’s northern coast, these two areas share a common history in that both were important places during Captain Cook’s journey of exploration to the area in the 1770’s. Cape Tribulation is where his ship ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, and Cooktown is where he settled to make subsequent repairs to the ship. Today, both are somewhat isolated and do take a little planning to get to, but are definitely worth the effort.
There are two roads from Cairns that take visitors into Cooktown – the coastal and the inland. The coastal route is more direct but is recommended only for four wheel drive vehicles as there are several creek crossings, while the inland road is suitable for all vehicles. Although a cyclone destroyed the town in 1949, it was rebuilt and is now becoming a tourist centre for visitors heading to the Cape York region. As a small frontier town, Cooktown’s population is only about 1300 and the town literally only has a few streets. However, the town is rich in history, has a multitude of recreational opportunities such as fishing and river cruises, and offers exceptionally friendly hospitality. Be sure to check out the Grassy Hill Lookout for a tremendous view of the area.
Cape Tribulation is a lush and rainforest-covered national park. It is a unique area since the rainforests stretch right out to the wide, sandy beaches, allowing visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds. There are many ways to enjoy the park, including walking, swimming, and diving. Horse-back riding, particularly on the beach is also a very popular activity and the Marrdja Botanical Walk is an easy boardwalk where visitors can explore the rainforest. There are tours available from Cairns, and if you are planning on taking your own vehicle be sure to call ahead to the Daintree Ferry to ensure that you’ll be able to cross the river to get into the park.
Noosa is a diverse region located on Australia’s Sunshine Coast and is made up of a variety of coastal villages and country towns. With a variety of beaches, including Main Beach, the area is an excellent place to enjoy ocean swims and lazy days soaking up the sun. There are also some great places to learn to surf, as well as some more experienced surfing locations such as First Point, Granite Bay, and Sunshine Beach. Additionally, the area is known for its excellent fishing with a reef system located only three kilometers offshore.
Noosa National Park’s Headlands section is one of Australia’s most visited national parks, and here you’ll find an abundance of ecosystems in a small area. Home to many types of wildlife, visitors often see koala and goannas, and there are also excellent walking tracks with incredible views. The park is home to a vast network of trails, so horse-back riding and mountain biking are also popular. The peace and quiet of the river system north of Tewantin is a haven for those needing to get away from the hubbub of the city, and is best enjoyed by canoe or kayak. The Kinaba Information Centre is a unique spot that can only be reached by boat.
Fraser Island is also nearby, and is a great destination for ecotourism activities. The largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island is 123 kilometers long and covers 184,000 hectares. The island is home to very large numbers of birds, and also has what are considered the most genetically pure dingoes in Australia. The island is also home to a small population of brumbies, Australia’s wild horses, which can be seen on the north end. Barges ferry cars over to the island, so you can either book a guided tour or take your own vehicle. There is limited accommodation available on the island as well.
