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Mackay · Queensland · Australia
6 Days Mackay Highlands - PRIVATE
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From $2,458.71 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Experience the wonders of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk on this exclusive 6-day guided adventure, available for private groups only. Located 80 kilometers west of Mackay in Eungella National Park, meaning “land of clouds,” the tour promises stunning views over Pioneer Valley and the region’s iconic sugar cane fields. The journey covers the highlights of The Great Walk, guiding you through some of the area’s most scenic and diverse landscapes. You’ll encounter lush rainforests filled with towering trees, explore dense palm groves, and marvel at dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Each step reveals a different aspect of the area’s natural beauty, offering a rare opportunity to experience the unique flora and fauna of this remarkable region. To enhance the adventure, the itinerary includes a day at Cape Hillsborough National Park on the Hibiscus Coast, north of Mackay. This coastal section showcases where the rainforest meets the ocean, with breathtaking views out to the Whitsunday Islands. The contrast between the hinterland’s rugged charm and the coastal serenity adds a special touch to the experience, making it an unforgettable journey. Designed as a pack-free walk, this tour allows you to immerse yourself fully in the surroundings without the burden of carrying heavy gear. Expert guides lead the way, sharing insights and stories about the area’s history, ecology, and culture, ensuring you gain a deeper appreciation for this beautiful part of Queensland. Each day’s walk is carefully curated to offer a mix of leisurely strolls and more challenging sections, catering to different fitness levels while still providing a rewarding experience. Perfect for nature lovers and those seeking a personalized adventure, this private tour delivers an exclusive way to explore the Mackay Highlands. Embrace the tranquility, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and discover the magic of Eungella and Cape Hillsborough National Parks. This 6-day pack-free journey offers a chance to reconnect with nature and create lasting memories in one of Australia’s most scenic regions
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Exclusive Private Groups
- Scenic Eungella National Park
- Diverse Landscapes
- Coastal Adventure at Cape Hillsborough
- PackFree Convenience
- Expert Guidance
- Tailored Itinerary
- Tranquil Nature Experience
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Mackay
Transportation. Welcome to Australia! Today is an arrival day. Book your own flight to arrive any time into Mackay and make your own way to the Mackay Mantra situated on the waterfront of the picturesque Mackay Marina with views of the Coral Sea, your room has been booked and ready for your arrival.
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Leisure. Leisure day at Mackay: Enjoy a day at leisure. Meet your guide at 7pm at the hotel’s restaurant Latitude 21 Bar & Restaurant which serves modern Australian cuisine with locally sourced produce
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Accommodation
Day 2
Mackay
Hiking at Eungella National Park. Mackay to Pioneer Valley & Eungella National Park: Meet your guides in the hotel foyer of the Mackay Mantra at 7.30am for a short briefing with your guides before setting out on our adventure. This morning, we will be driving through the picturesque Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park where you’ll enjoy views of lush flora, sugar canes plantations and contrasting volcanic boulder formations. The scenic journey will take approximately 1hr 15mins. Our walking adventure in the beautiful Eungella National Park begins in the township of Eungella starting at the Pine Grove and Cedar Grove Track. This scenic walk takes you through lush rain forest, a strangler fig arch, past red cedars, tulip oaks and lots of palm trees. After morning tea at Sky Windows where there are two magnificent lookouts overlooking the National Park, we will continue onto the Clarke Range Track to Broken River. This track offers fantastic views and scenery from walking through the tall Piccabeen palm grove to crossing over the Broken River to various breathtaking lookouts taking in the views over Pioneer Valley. Enjoy a packed lunch at Granite Bend in the rainforest (weather permitting). On arriving at Broken River we will head to our accommodation at Broken River Mountain Resort where we will be staying for two nights. The eco-resort is nestled on the banks of Broken River which is famously home to the elusive platypus. This is one of the best places in Australia to spot one in the wild. Sit by the fireplace in the open lounge or enjoy a table with views of the rainforest.
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Breakfasts. Lunch. Tonight enjoy a superb meal at Possums Table featuring produce sourced locally from tropical farms, rivers and oceans and regional wines.
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Accommodation.
Day 3
Mackay
Eco Tour at Eungella National Park. Mackay Highlands Great Walk: This morning, we will enjoy the Broken River to Crediton Hall Track, part of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk. On this rainforest track take in the towering trees, dense palm groves and dramatic cliffs, peaks and spires. For the avid bird enthusiast there are 225 different species of rainforest birds that live along this Mackay hiking trail, including the Eungella Honeyeater, Regent Bower Bird, White Breasted Sea Eagle and Wompoo Fruit Dove. The colourful array of butterflies in the area is also spectacular. Whilst walking alongside Broken River we’ll stop to enjoy morning tea and a packed lunch to take in the beauty that surrounds us. As the rainforest section of this trails ends, we will follow the track through local farming communities to Crediton Hall. After a short drive back to Broken River Mountain Resort (approx 3:30pm) see if you can spot any platypus! Early morning and late afternoons are the best time to see these graceful animals.
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Breakfast. Packed lunch. Tonight enjoy dinner in Eungella at the Eungella Chalet.
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Accommodation.
Day 4
Mackay
Eco Tour at Cape Hillsborough National Park. Finch Hatton Gorge - Cape Hillsborough National Park: After breakfast we’ll depart Broken River driving to Finch Hatton Gorge where we will spend the morning walking through lush flora, volcanic boulder formations and see the beautiful Araluen waterfall. Take a refreshing dip in one of the nearby rock pools if you feel like a cooldown or continue on for another 1.4 kilometres when we’ll reach the Wheel of Fire Cascades, another beautiful waterfall with a large rock pool at its base. This second part of the walk has approximately 300 steps to climb but the views are well worth it and all downhill on return. On the trail look out for rare and unusual flora and fauna, such as the gastric brooding frog, the orange-sided skink, Mackay tulip oak, Eungella spiny cray and Eungella honeyeater. Once leaving Finch Hatton Gorge we will have lunch at the Finch Hatton Hotel before continuing onto Cape Hillsborough National Park. The next two nights are spent at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park situated in the park itself. This beautifully tranquil park is only a short drive from Mackay and is uniquely surrounded by pure beach frontage.
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Breakfast. Lunch. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the onsite cafe.
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Accommodation.
Day 5
Mackay
Hiking at Cape Hillsborough National Park. Cape Hillsborough: This morning if you’re an early riser you want to enjoy watching the sunrise from the beach. You may even see some kangaroos and wallabies on the beach! We will spend the day exploring the National Park and walking four individual tracks in the area starting with the Diversity Boardwalk (easy 1.2 Km, ¾ Hour) where we’ll meander through mangroves, eucalypt open forest and vine thicket. Throughout the boardwalk Aboriginal middens may be spotted. After morning tea enjoy the Beachcomber Cove track (moderate 2.2 km, 1.5 hours) which passes through more open eucalypt forest, hoop pines, ferns and vines on the climb to the ridge for spectacular views of the surrounding areas and then desend down to the secluded cove.
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Eco Tour at Clump Mountain National Park. Next enjoy the Andrews Point Juipera track (moderate to hard, 5.2km, 2 hours) which follows the coast and has five fantastic lookouts to take in the beautiful views of the coastline and the Whitsunday Islands. We may even spot turtles or whales (during migration season). If it’s low tide, we can walk back along the beach! Following this walk we’ll enjoy a lunch at the Cape Hillsborough Resort before taking a short drive to the Juipera Plant Trail (easy 1.6km, 1 hour) where your guide will give you a fascinating insight into the local Aboriginal history for the surrounding area.
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Breakfasts. Enjoy our last evening with a delicious meal back at the resort.
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Accommodation.
Day 6
Mackay
This morning enjoy breakfast before being driven back to Mackay where we end our superb walking holiday.
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Thanks for traveling with us!
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
6-day Pack Free Walk Professionally guided National Parks fees
Not Included
Tips and gratuities
What to Bring
Hiking shoes Comfortable clothes
Meeting & Pickup
Make your own way to the Mackay Mantra.
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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