Broken River, Eungella National Park: Platypus-spotting in Queensland?
The Broken River Bridge in the Eungella National Park has a strong claim to being the best place to see a platypus in Queensland. Find the prime Eungella platypus habitat in the Great Dividing Range, along State Route 64 from Mackay on the Whitsundays Coast.
The Eungella National Park certainly isn’t the main drawcard in its section of Queensland. Most people heading up this way won’t even give it a second glance – they have come for a sailing cruise around the Whitsundays. But if you’ve got a bit of extra time in the region, or the Whitsundays weather isn’t great, then the Eungella National Park is worth a look. Not least because it’s probably the best place to see a platypus in Queensland. Although Yungaburra in the Atherton Tableland might take issue with this.
The Eungella National Park lies roughly parallel with kangaroos on the beach hotspot Cape Hillsborough. But it is higher up, in the Great Dividing Range, which runs like a spine up the east coast of Australia. A steep, winding State Route 64 takes you from sugar cane country around Mackay to the cooler, lofty heights of the Great Dividing Range. Hire a car at Proserpine Airport to explore properly.
Eungella National Park: Broken River platypus habitat
For wildlife-lovers, the Broken River is the place to head to. It is teeming with animals, but it is also arguably the most reliable spot for seeing a platypus in Queensland. Turn up to the Broken River at dawn or dusk, and you’ve got a good chance of seeing one. You’re far more likely to see turtles, though, so check you’ve spotted the right thing before feeling all smug and arrogant.
Broken River Bridge platypus sightings
For viewing, there is a Eungella Platypus Deck by the Broken River Bridge, a short walk from the Broken River Visitor Information Centre. To avoid a long drive in the morning, Eungella National Park accommodation is available at the Broken River Mountain Resort.
The platypus is a bizarre egg-laying mammal. When first reported by naturalists, the platypus was assumed to be a hoax. They’re very shy, and rather tough to spot.
They’re also pretty small. An adult male platypus only grows to around 50cm long. They’re very hard to take a good photo of as platypus habitat tends to be murky.
Eungella National Park: Finch Hatton Gorge walks
When heading back down the mountain and through the Pioneer Valley back to Mackay, it’s worth stopping at Finch Hatton Gorge. The drive to Finch Hatton Gorge involves crossing numerous creeks. The walk up to what is known as ‘The Wheel of Fire’ involves a particularly dicey stepping stone crossing, too.
But once up there it’s spectacular. The cascades rage, volcanic boulders pile high up to the mountain top, and two separate stream branches plough down into a pool. You’ll not see a Eungella platypus there, but Finch Hatton Gorge in Eungella National Park is a magnificent place for a cold, freshwater swim.
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