Eungella

23 - 26 June

To celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary we decided on a short break to another of our favourite spots. Eungella is in the Mackay hinterland about 5 ½ hours from Townsville. It's often cold and wet so we headed to the Broken River Mountain Resort where we have stayed a number of times. The resort has self contained cabins and is just a short walk from the National Park platypus viewing platforms and walks.

View of the Pioneer Valley from the lookout at Eungella.

As usual we managed to drag the drive out to about 7 hours with stops for some op-shopping and lunch. We found a nice park in Proserpine just as you turn off the highway. The drive through the Pioneer Valley is pleasant and the steep climb up the range to Eungella is windy but the road is wide, and only about 5 kilometres. 

According to a couple of web sites, Eungella is an aboriginal word meaning 'mountains of mist' or 'land of clouds', same thing really... anyway you get the idea, it can get wet. It can also get very cold. This mountain catches the moisture gathered over the ocean by the prevailing south east winds. That's why there is a rainforest here. The forecast indicated that the mountain would live up to its name during our visit but we decided to book anyway. We'd take a chance that the weather would allow us to venture outside some of the time. Lucky we did, it was close to perfect!

This area is the northern range limit for the Regent Bowerbird (seen last visit) and southern limit for the Lesser Sooty Owl. Although the big draw card for birders is the Eungella Honeyeater there are plenty of other highlights. On the way back from seeing the Honeyeater, we spotted three Grey Goshawks! Eastern Yellow Robins are everywhere, Little and Grey Shrike-thrush are common, you could see Noisy Pitta or Bassian Thrush. Mick.
 

Christie spotted this young Noisy Pitta.

Lewin's Honeyeater

A pair of Eastern Yellow Robins have a tub.

Little Shrike-thrush

Dusky Moorhen

Once we had settled in to our cabin we went down for a walk to see the platypus. Platypus are supposed to be nocturnal but we have seen them here at all times of day. This trip was no exception. Within a few minutes we had spotted our first platypus. Visitors are almost guaranteed a sighting. Over the course of our visit we saw playtpus every time we walked to the river.

Top platypus viewing area.

Panorama from the bottom viewing area.

There are two viewing platforms, a spot under the bridge as well as from on the bridge that all allow good opportunities to see this unique creature. It's not so easy to photograph them as they don't stay on the surface for long, and there is often glare on the water. 

One of the stars of the Broken River show.

A pair of Azure Kingfishers patrolled the river and were seen regularly.

A tortoise catches some rays.

We spent Wednesday visiting the platypus and walking close to the resort. A small cafe attached to the visitor centre serves coffee, cake and meals. We enjoyed a coffee and chat with the new owner. 

There is a new National Park "bush camping" site just across the road from the resort. This would be a beautiful spot to camp as you can sit on the riverbank and watch the wildlife. As yet there are no toilet facilities at the campsite. Campers must walk the 200 metres across the bridge to the visitor centre. This didn't seem a problem for those who had set up camp there.

Around the edge of the day use area is a great place to look for birds.

New signage and art installations were being completed. These are scattered along the riverside walkways. The park is certainly looking good. Well done Queensland National Parks.

Red-browed Finch

Brown Thornbill

We splashed out and had dinner at the resort restaurant on Wednesday night. The meals were generously sized and the service good. Possums are fed out on the deck and happily posed for photos.

We headed out on Thursday morning to drive to the edge of the national park to a birding hotspot. The end of Chelman's Road is known to be a good spot for Eungella Honeyeaters. The road is mostly unsealed but in reasonable condition for most of the way. We stayed for most of the morning and Mick was rewarded with some good photos.

Eungella Honeyeater.

The ubiquitous Eastern Yellow Robin.

Eastern Whipbird having a sunbake.

Heading home on Friday we stopped in Proserpine and enjoyed lunch at the Cane Cutter Bistro in the Metropole Hotel .What a find! Lunch specials ranging from $8 to $14, as well as a regular menu. Meals were enormous and very tasty. Think we might make this a regular stop when travelling this way.