Mackay Qld. Eungella Qld. Broken Creek Qld. 22-24 August 2019

Mackay Qld. Eungella Qld. Broken Creek Qld. 22-24 August 2019

We had originally planned to go back to Blacks Beach in Mackay and stay for a week. But something was niggling us both about the place and the length of time we had booked. Judy rang and cut the time back from 7 to 5 days and copped an earful of abuse for her trouble. By the next day, having read and reread all the rules and regulations they have to cover every facet of human activity, and keeping in mind our run-in with one of the long-term inmates last year, she rang again and cancelled completely.

And that's why we are now in Mackay, but much closer to town, in the Big 4 across the road from the harbour. When we pulled in at lunch-time the place was deserted. By the time night fell it was bulging at the seams! I tried the pool but it was the normal fresh-to-chilling, so we went over to the marina to have a drink and watch the boats go in and out, of which there were none. Today I went over to the Harbour Beach for my walk and had to turn back at the 3km mark, maybe just over halfway.

Harbour Beach. Mackay Qld

Later we went out on a Platypus hunt: ostensibly the nearby Eungella National Park was a 'hotspot' for the little scamps. Eungella is about 80km west of Mackay, and 730 metres - straight up. Well maybe not straight up, but pretty steep for sure. The view from the lookout, callee Sky Window, is pretty awesome

Road up to Eungella, Qld

The big valley. Eungella, Qld

That view, with a tiny handrail for comfort and perspective. Eungella, Qld

A few more km past Eungella (don't blink, you'll miss it) you come to the National Park and  Broken River. We came over a slight rise and headed toward a bridge. Not sure as to where to go, I slowed just before the bridge, and then bang! A branch from the tree next to the bridge came crashing down in front of us! How lucky was that? If I hadn't slowed it would have landed on us for sure. Sometimes things just fall your way (excuse the pun). Anyhow, you turn off just over the bridge, park up and go for a walk along the boardwalk that runs by the river. A hundred metres of so and you come to a string of pools and this is the obvious platypus watching spot.

Platypus pool. Broken River. Eungella Qld

Platypus pool. Broken River. Eungella Qld

As soon as we walked onto the platform, one popped up for a second and dived again. Others who had followed us didn't believe it, I'm sure. We sat and waited and sure enough after 20 minutes or so, up it came again right in front of us. We snapped away and yelled for the others. Mum turned away and called to dad who had wandered off. The girl, annoyed at our noisy distraction, looked up from her phone and questioned our sanity. They all missed it. We did not. Best one I've got so far.

Platypus.  Broken River. Eungella Qld

On the way back to the car we saw an  artwork (I have no idea what it is but maybe something to do with the river bed?), and back under the bridge snapped a Azure Kingfisher for good measure.

A artwork. Maybe even a interpretive thing.  Broken River. Eungella Qld

Azure Kingfisher. Broken River. Eungella Qld

On our way back to town we took the turn off toward Finch Hatton Gorge. It's easy enough to get to, even though a fair bit is a dirt road and there are 4 wet crossings, but from the car park, it is a 2.8km walk to the first bit of rocks called The Cascades and 4.2km to something called the Burning Wheel. We didn't do it, save it for next time perhaps.

We had lunch at a tiny town called Pinnacle, before wending our way back to the hustle and bustle of Mackay.