Eungella National Park

Eungella, meaning land of cloud, sits on a range above the Pioneer Valley west of Mackay, where subtropical rainforest has been isolated from other rainforest blocks for long enough to produce endemic species, including the Eungella honeyeater and the Eungella day frog. Its main draw is at Broken River, where a viewing platform overlooks pools in which platypus feed morning and evening; sightings here are more reliable than at almost any other accessible site in Australia, and rangers keep records of activity. Walking tracks follow the river and climb through the forest, and the road up from Finch Hatton is one of the steepest sealed public roads in Queensland.

History

The Wirri people are the original inhabitants, and the name Eungella is an Aboriginal word for land of cloud. The national park was declared over 49,610 hectares in 1941 and extended in 1986 to take in land at Mount Beatrice and former state forest near Finch Hatton, bringing it to about 52,900 hectares (Wikipedia, Eungella National Park).

What's there

• The platypus pools - the Broken River platform with regular sightings.
• The cloud forest - isolated rainforest with species found nowhere else.
• The river walks - tracks along Broken River through the forest.
• The range road - the very steep climb from the Pioneer Valley.

When to go

April to October for the driest weather; platypus are most active at dawn and dusk in any season, and viewing is quietest early. Summer brings heavy rain and leeches. Winter mornings on the range are cold and misty.

Good to know

The range road is extremely steep, with a very tight ascent unsuitable for large caravans. Platypus require patience, silence and stillness; noise and movement send them under. Facilities are limited to a campground, kiosk and small village.

Nearby

Finch Hatton Gorge is on the way up; Mackay lies east on the coast.

Key facts