Eungella National Park - Broken River Bush Camp

 13 - 16 March 2025

We knew there was rain forecast for Eungella - but it is in the rainforest so we figured that would be part of the adventure. The sky was overcast but there was no rain until we stopped at Finch Hatton to pick up some milk. Milk had been hard to get since Tropical Cyclone wreaked havoc further south, but we didn't expect there to be none in Mackay supermarkets. Thankfully, the small general store in the Pioneer Valley had plenty.

It started to rain while we were stopped and continued all the way up the range to Eungella. It was still raining when we set the camper trailer up. We were very thankful to have a couple of good raincoats! We set up as best we could and settled in to enjoy the view of the creek at the rear of the campsite. Broken River is well known for platypus and we were hoping to get to see some, but we were really there for the birds.

Our home  for three nights

Because of the almost constant drizzle, we didn't do as much walking in the forest as we had hoped. We did manage to get out to the various platypus viewing spots a number of times between showers and were well rewarded. We also visited the cafe adjacent to the National Park office for morning tea. 

We saw at least one platypus!

On Friday afternoon we went for a drive down Dalrymple Road to a well-known spot where Eungella honeyeaters are found - and were in luck. The sky was grey, and there was some rain, but Mick did manage to get some photos. We rewarded ourselves with a drink at The Chalet - the local pub which had great views down through the valley.

Friday drinks with a view

On Saturday morning we went for another drive in search of birds - this time on the Crediton Loop Road. This one wasn't quite as successful, but helped to pass the time. There is no phone or internet reception at the campground so we drove up to Sky Window - a lookout - a couple of times each day to check the weather (hoping the forecast had miraculously changed - it hadn't). 

While we were at Eungella we had success with trapping our mouse. The first night, he took the bait and got stuck in the little house but managed to escape while Mick was trying to work out if he was in there! We set the trap again the next night, and I picked it up in the morning. I could feel that it was warm so we took it with us a long way from camp and released him in the bush. Hopefully there was only one - only time will tell.

We had no choice on our last morning than to pack up while everything was still wet. We managed to get the bulk done between showers of rain, before setting off back down the range to Airlie Beach - where there was the promise of even more rain!

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.

Eungella

25 - 28 August 2014

We're on the road again - this time to Eungella and then Cape Hillsborough in the Mackay district. We made a fairly early start but still managed to drag a 5 1/2 hour drive out to almost 7 hours - with stops at Op Shops and for coffee in Ayr, lunch and Op Shops in Proserpine and petrol at Bloomsbury. No need to rush!

We decided to try a new place to stay this time and, although it's not as close to the National Park and platypus viewing it does have a fabulous view out across the Pioneer Valley, and is a bit more spacious. Mountain Edge Escape is definitely worth a look if visiting Eungella - there are one and two bedroom cabins.

View of the Pioneer River Valley from our accommodation at Eungella

It was warm when we arrived but as the afternoon wore on the temperature started to drop significantly and we were very glad of the reverse cycle air-conditioning in both lounge room and bedroom.  

We enjoyed a leisurely start then headed off on the short (5km) drive to Broken River to see the platypus and were once again rewarded with lots of sightings. Evidently the platypus here didn't get the memo about being nocturnal - they were out feeding in the middle of the day, in the bright sunshine! Mick took lots of great photos. An added bonus was a Regent Bowerbird that flew right across the path in front of us, then sat in a tree across the river, to have its photo taken.

Broken River

This part of the National Park has been improved since we were here a couple of years ago. There was a bush track under the bridge and along the river to which is now a boardwalk and pathway, with a couple of viewing platforms. We have found platypus at the main viewing platform (which has been there for years and is well signposted) as well as under the bridge as well as the pool at the end of the boardwalk.

You will also see turtles while looking for Platypus

 We went home for lunch and returned later in the afternoon and once again saw a number of platypus, and a few birds. We ran into our neighbours who are also here birdwatching and Mick shared notes with them. 

brown cuckoo-dove

Bassian thrush

We started the next day with a drive out on the Crediton Loop Road. We stopped at a spot we had been told about and took a short walk into the rainforest but didn't go far. This track is actually 8km long but we only went as far as a little bridge. On the way back to the road we spotted another platypus! We drove on to Crediton Hall where there is a very nice little camping area. There was green grass, toilets, BBQ and a creek nearby. Maintained by Mackay Council, and only $5 per person per night, this is one to keep on the list for future reference. From there we drove the rest of the loop and back to the dam road, then back towards the main section of the park, to look for platypus again. This time we didn't see any, which was very unusual. From there we drove out along Diggings Road. We had tried this once before but had bailed out due to the condition of the road, but this time the condition was much better so we made it all the way to the camping area. This would be a nice place to camp, lots of trees and right by the creek, but no facilities (no toilets, no water etc). It also looks like it might be popular with local 4WDrivers. The road does continue on - through the creek and up the other side - but not for us.

Eastern Yellow Robins are quite common in the area and don't mind getting their photo taken

 Later in the afternoon, after getting some advice, we headed off down Dalrymple Road and then Chelman's Road to look for the elusive Eungella Honeyeater. We ran into our cabin neighbours again and, following their directions, Mick was finally rewarded with some photos of this little bird.

The Eungella Honeyeater is a bird with a very limited range.

On our final morning we decided to say farewell to the Platypus so headed back down to Broken River - and the platypus had finally remembered they are nocturnal and were nowhere to be seen! Despite this we enjoyed our walk along the river to the various viewing spots. We set off down the range and turned off to go to Finch Hatton Gorge (still part of Eungella National Park). We ventured out on the Araluen Cascades walk - described by National Parks as having some short uphills sections - but which in fact was mostly uphill! Never believe what you read.... It wasn't a difficult walk despite the long uphill bits, and at the end you reach the river and the cascades - quite beautiful.

Back to the main Mackay - Eungella road and on to the Op Shop at Mirani (of course) and then into Marian for a spot of shopping. Last time we were here there was the (sugar) mill and not much else, but now there is a brand new shopping centre complete with supermarket, discount petrol, pharmacy, bottle shop and take-aways. It seems Mackay is spreading out in this direction.

Back on the road and on to Cape Hillsborough.
  

• The most reliable and accessible Platypus viewing we have experienced
• Great Birding 
• Nice rainforest walks
• Reasonably priced accommodation options