The Pioneer Valley road trip with a wild ending
Point the car towards the Pioneer Valley and see where the day takes you. There are rainforest MTB trails to ride, swimming holes at Finch Hatton Gorge, country pubs to stop at and plenty of good reasons to take your time on the road up to Eungella.
Eventually, you'll reach Broken River, one of the best places in Australia to spot a platypus in the wild. Stay until late afternoon, spend the night in the Valley or get up and try your luck again the next morning.
You know where you're heading. How you get there is entirely up to you.
Start with two wheels
About an hour west of Mackay, the cane fields and small towns of the Pioneer Valley lead towards the Clarke Range and Eungella National Park.
Finch Hatton makes a good first stop, particularly if you want to spend a few hours on the Finch Hatton MTB trails. The purpose-built network runs through the rainforest outside town, with trails catering for a mix of skill levels.
You don't need to bring a bike with you either. Corry Cycles Finch Hatton offers mountain bike and e-MTB hire from Finch Hatton, so you can pick one up when you arrive and head out from there.
If you have kids in tow, the pump track at the Trail Head is a great way to kill some time and get some energy out of the little ones. Scooters and anything else on two wheels allowed!
If riding isn't on the cards, keep going. There's plenty more to stop for further up the Valley.
Swap the bike for swimmers
From Finch Hatton, head towards Finch Hatton Gorge for a rainforest walk and swim.
The gorge sits within Eungella National Park, with rainforest walking tracks leading to waterfalls and rock pools including Araluen Cascades and the Wheel of Fire. It's worth allowing a few hours here, particularly if you're planning to walk further into the gorge rather than simply stopping for a quick swim. It’s easy to find a secluded rock or shady spot to have all to yourself, perfect to bring a book, pack a picnic, stretch out by the water and enjoy having nowhere else to be.
It can get busy on warm days, so give yourself time and take the walk at your own pace before getting back on the road.
Stop when you're hungry
By the time you're back in Finch Hatton, lunch will probably be calling.
The Criterion Hotel has been part of town since 1908 and sits close to the MTB trailhead. Lunch is served seven days a week, with homemade pies, steaks, pizzas, pastas and the usual pub favourites on the menu.
Perched high above the Valley, Eungella Chalet is a must stop. Pull in for something to eat or drink and take in the view back across the Valley before continuing towards Broken River.
If you've got some extra time, Sky Window is a must. The short rainforest circuit leads to spectacular viewing platforms overlooking the Pioneer Valley and makes an easy stop before you head further into Eungella.
Head for Broken River
From the top of the Eungella range, continue into the national park towards Broken River.
This is one of Australia’s best-known places for seeing platypus in the wild, with viewing platforms positioned along the river. You'll need a little patience, but that's half the fun.
Early morning and late afternoon are generally the better times to see them. Find a spot near the water, keep an eye on the surface and watch for ripples or bubbles that might give away where one is swimming. The key is to stay super quiet.
Give yourself some time here. Being patient will give you the best odds for a glimpse of this elusive Aussie icon.
Stay the night and try again tomorrow
If you arrive at Broken River late in the day, staying overnight means you can come back for another look the following morning.
Eungella Cabins offers accommodation in Eungella village, while Broken River Mountain Resort has cabins and lodges close to the Broken River platypus viewing area.
Further back down the Valley, Finch Falls Retreat is another option if you'd rather stay closer to Finch Hatton Gorge. The retreat offers luxury accommodation in beautiful native bushland and sub-tropical rainforest.
Where you stay really depends on where you want to wake up. Stay around Eungella and you'll be close to Broken River for an early platypus watch. Head back towards Finch Hatton and you can wake up in the rainforest with the gorge and MTB trails nearby.
Follow the road, not the schedule
Mackay to Broken River is an easy route to put into the map, but there's no need to treat the drive like a checklist.
Spend the morning riding at Finch Hatton. Skip the bike and head straight for the gorge. Have lunch in town or wait until you're at the top of the range. Stay at Broken River until the light starts to disappear, then find somewhere nearby for the night.
The platypus gives you something to aim for at the end of the drive. Everything you do on the way there is up to you.