Pies, Platypuses and Pinnacle Views
We pulled into the free camp beside the Pinnacle Family Hotel, not quite knowing what to expect, but what a gem. Nestled in the Pioneer Valley, this pub stay came with a perfect patch of grass for the moho (Zoe was thrilled), a warm country welcome, and the kind of homemade chicken and leek pies that make you rethink every petrol station pastry you’ve ever eaten. We happily tucked into lunch and settled in for the afternoon, resting up before a big day of exploring the national parks nearby.
First stop: Hatton Finch National Park, one of the lesser-known pockets of greenery in the Mackay Highlands. The Araluen Cascades walk is s a gentle 1.6 km return stroll through lush rainforest, winding past ferns, vines, and ancient trees. The trail concludes at a picture-perfect cascade tumbling into a rock pool, perfect for cooling off if you're up for a dip. It’s peaceful, easygoing, and full of birdsong, a great warm-up for what came next.
We then pointed the Jimny up the road to Eungella National Park. And we mean up…the climb is notoriously steep, winding and narrow, with jaw-dropping drop-offs and views to match. The little 4WD handled it like a champ (just don’t ask what gear we were in).
At the top, the landscape opens up into misty rainforest, mountain air and one of the best vantage points in the region. We pulled in at the Sky Window lookout for sweeping views across the Pioneer Valley, and took a breath. Eungella really is something special.
No visit is complete without a platypus patrol, so we made our way to Broken River. It’s one of the few places in the world where you’ve actually got a decent chance of spotting one of these shy, semi-aquatic oddballs in the wild. Sure enough, just as the light began to dip into shadow, a little ripple in the water gave way to that unmistakable silhouette. The local turtles weren’t to be outdone and put on their own special appearance!
After a day of trails, twists, and wildlife, we headed back down the range to our camp behind the pub.
Exploring the unbeaten paths of Australia, one adventure at a time! 🌿 Follow along as we uncover hidden gems, tackle rugged terrains, and head Off the Main Road to embrace the thrill of exploring offbeat destinations. 🚙💨
Other updates you may like…
Camping behind the Pinnacle Family Hotel gave us the perfect base to explore Hatton Finch and Eungella. Great hikes, homemade pies, and sugarcane trains rolling by—this little stop had charm and adventure in spades.