Inland Mackay, short trips to Nebo, Glenden and Eungella

INLAND WONDERS.

Good old-fashioned pub grub on sprawling verandahs, natural wonders millions of years in the making and the home of the platypus – these short trips inland from Mackay are worth every minute.

WHO WILL LOVE IT?

Nature lovers, Fishing nuts and History buffs

THE LOCALS’ FAVOURITE INLAND FISHING TRAIL

The region’s streets are full of trucks towing boats, tackle shops and mates exchanging stories that inevitably include the phrase, “It was this big” with hands held wide. In between Mackay and Eungella, there is a fishing trail that is both a local favourite and a pilgrimage that keeps visitors coming back.

PIONEER RIVER

Welcome to 120 kilometres of fish highway! If you don’t have a boat cast near either the new fishing pier at Old Hospital Bridge or Ron Camm Bridge right in the centre of Mackay. This is a popular kayak fishing location, with anglers pulling fish in even on larger tides. In the upper reaches of the river you’ll find plenty of mangrove jack and excellent crabbing territory.

Kinchant Dam, 41km west of Mackay, can be reached within an easy 40 minute drive past the sugar cane fields of North Eton. A lovely park area overlooks the dam, with barbeque and toilet facilities available. Bring your mountain bike, as Kinchant Dam is home to one of the best downhill circuits in Queensland.

The dam is stocked by local fishing authorities to keep fish numbers plentiful. Drop a line and try your luck to catch sooty grunter, sleepy cod and barramundi. A concrete boat ramp is available and water sports such as skiing, biscuiting and jet skiing are popular. A stocked impoundment permit is required to fish here.

Wildlife is active and varied around the shore, with bush turkeys and peacocks regularly visiting, as well as wallabies and waterfowl.

A large camping area provides a variety of accommodation options, from tent and caravan sites through to cabins.

TEEMBURRA DAM

Teemburra, 50km west of Mackay, has a well-earned reputation for barramundi and sooty grunter. Hunt for them in beds of water lillies, bays of standing timber and flooded paddocks. This place was made for barramundi.

The dam is stocked by a local fish stocking group MAFSA with sooty grunter and barramundi, who have also set up their own community hatchery to breed Sooty Grunter. A 25 horsepower limit applies to all boats here with no water skiing allowed. A single lane concrete ramp is provided.

There is no camping allowed at the dam, however accommodation can be found in Finch Hatton Gorge, Eungella National Park and Kinchant Dam.

A Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to fish at Teemburra Dam.

EUNGELLA DAM

Eungella Dam is about 2 hours west of Mackay via Eungella.

Take the Peak Downs Highway from Mackay and follow for about 8km till the sign to Eungella Dam (Eungella Dam Road) and follow this for about 70km to the township of Eungella.

From the township of Eungella, take the Eungella Dam Road past Broken River. The last portion of the drive is unsealed, where the landscape turns from rainforest into high country farms. Beware of wandering stock as cows roam free along this road.

The road out to the dam is signed on the southern end of town and about another 24km.

The dam is stocked with sooty grunter, saratoga, sleepy cod and barramundi and is reowned for producing oversized sooty grunter. There are no boating restrictions for the dam and small boats can be launched from the boat ramp.

Camping is permitted in the area with facilities available such as cold showers, toilets, barbeques and picnic tables. A second block of public toilets and more picnic tables can be found across the other side of the water, near the dam itself.

Access is by normal vehicle, some dirt road.

THE PIONEER VALLEY

A wonderland of waterfalls, lush flora and volcanic boulder formations contrast against a tapestry of sugar cane fields as you head through The Pioneer Valley and Eungella National Park.

Apart from being one of the richest sugar cane growing areas in Australia, this valley is by far one of the most picturesque in Australia, encompassing many rural townships where warm hospitality and delicious food can be enjoyed. Small towns to stop in along the way include Marian, Mirani, Pinnacle, Finch Hatton and finally, Eungella.

Marian, the gateway to the valley, is home to the region’s largest sugar mill. Call into Melba House, an accredited Visitor Information Centre on the banks of the Pioneer River, to discover the house of famous Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Stop in at the popular swimming hole, Platypus Beach, just past Mirani.

A trip to Finch Hatton Gorge is a must-do. Walk the well-formed tracks to Araluen Cascades and the Wheel of Fire Waterfalls and swim in clear rock pools as water cascades from above. Change pace and take in the whole picture from above as you zip line over the rainforest canopy.

EUNGELLA

Drive 1 hour and 10 minutes west of Mackay and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the magnificent views of Eungella. Aside from sprawling panoramas of the Pioneer Valley, Eungella has more than 20 kilometres of bush walking tracks and is home to one of the best places in Australia to spot the elusive platypus.

Eungella National Park is only 10 minutes drive from the centre of town. It is a mist-shrouded, forest-clad mountain refuge with 860 plant species. In fact, it is Australia’s longest stretch of subtropical rainforest.

Enjoy a stunning rainforest walk along the banks of Broken River. Have your camera at the ready because Broken River is home to a troop of platypus that you can spot swimming and diving for food.

Broken River is a great stopover on the way to Eungella Dam, a scenic lake fringed by rainforest. Aside from the dam being a hot spot for fishermen, its expansive waters call to water sports enthusiasts just as strongly. Water skiing and jet skiing are both popular. There are no boating restrictions on this dam. With a boat ramp, public toilets and picnic tables, it’s easy to stop over for lunch. Eungella has plenty to offer as a day trip or could be the beginning of a legendary adventure. The Mackay Highlands Great Walk begins in Eungella. The 62 kilometre walk takes between 3 and 5 days and moves through rainforest and palm groves before reaching Mt Britton.

Day trip or unforgettable trek? The choice is yours.

NEBO

An easy 1 hour and 6 minute drive south west from Mackay, Nebo is an interesting day trip full of history and epic pub grub. It’s also a great stopover on the way to Glenden.

Originally named Fort Cooper, the town took on the name Nebo in 1923. At the time it operated largely as a crossroads of intersecting highways servicing cattle and coal traffic.

Today the tree-lined main street and simple country hospitality makes it easy to imagine this small community of people building a home they were proud of in the days of explorers and pioneers.

The local Nebo Museum is a great place to experience both the early history of the town, but also the passion of the local community. The exhibits were almost entirely put together from donations by the local community.

If photography is more your style, definitely don’t miss the Pioneer Tracks of Queensland Gallery. Also celebrating the early settlement years, the gallery is housed in the Marley Accommodation Centre just outside Nebo.

You’ll also find snapshots of significant moments in Australian history commemorated in 260 metres of murals throughout the town.

When your stomach starts to grumble, head to one of our favourite Central Queensland pubs. The heritage-listed Nebo Hotel has tremendous character that hasn’t really changed much since being built in 1862. Enjoy a beer and a meal on the expansive balcony.

GLENDEN

Glenden is a modern mining town built in 1981. It’s a 1 hour 50 minute drive from Mackay, or if you’ve stopped in Nebo it’s another 54 minutes from there.

Nature lovers should consider stopping at Homevale National Park, just 30 minutes north of Nebo. You’ll find yourself surrounded by 30-million-year-old cliffs and peaks.

The park is home to a diverse array of landscapes including grassy open woodlands, vine forests and towering eucalyptus trees. Scientists have also found important fossil deposits dating back to 280 million years ago. Glenden is also within easy reach of another important natural attraction – Lake Elphinstone.

The natural permanent waterbody was an important food and water source for Aboriginal people and a meeting point for the Jangga, Barada Barna and Wiri people. You can still find rock art at nearby Burton Downs.

If you don’t feel like driving back to Mackay that day, Lake Elphinstone is a great place to set up camp and take advantage of an early morning fish or kayak the next day.

Discover Mr Britton in Homevale National Park, visit the old town site and camp under the starts. Stay a few nights - it’s free.

For more detailed itineraries visit www.queenslanddrives.com.au