In this Blog we explore all the beautiful places to visit from Townsville to Mackay. From scheduled beaches, to spectacular waterfalls to awesome walking trails. Although you can drive between these two towns in a day. There is some worth while stops along the way and worth spending about 7 days exploring these two beautiful regions.
Cape Edgecumbe trail- Bowen
The main attraction in Bowen is the beautiful beaches and in the right season a great place to snorkel. There is an epic coastal trail which walks past 3 beautiful beaches and up to 3 spectacular lookouts along the way. To read more information on this 5km walking track Click Here.
Airlie Beach
Honeyeater Lookout Trail
The Honeyeater Lookout starts at Nara Crescent which is a 15-20 minute walk from Airlie Beach and can be accessed by foot or car. It’s best to start the walk from the main street, as the parking near the start of the walk is limited and suggested for local traffic only. The trail is 8.2 km return walk and allow 2 hours to walk the trail. We headed up early morning as the walk is mainly up hill to the top. The views from the top are beautiful looking out over Cannonvale and the Marina.
Coral Beach Trail To The Beak Lookout
This walk starts at the coral bay carpark in Shut Harbour. The walking trail is 5km and allow 2 hours to walk the trail. Within 10 minutes of the walk you will pass Coral Bay waterfall, It is best seen after a heavy down pour. continue along the trail down to Coral Bay. You will then walk along the beach for 180m before seeing a sign which will take you up to The Beak Lookout. This lookout has great views of nearby Whitsunday island including Daydream Island, the channel and smaller islands at Shute Harbour.
Airlie Beach Boardwalk
Is a 7.7km trail along the foreshore from Airlie Beach to Cannonvale. You can walk or ride along the trail. You will pass beautiful beaches and the Airlie Beach Lagoon along the way.
Cedar Creek Falls
In dry season a 2wd can get to the carpark but in wet season you will need a high clearence vehicle to get to the carpark, as there is a few water crossings. If you can not make it across the water its only a 1km walk each way to the waterfall.
Head Out on a Boat Cruise in the Whitsunday’s
Whether you want to spend a few days or just one day exploring the Whitsunday Island’s there are plenty of variety in Tours. We choose to head out on a 3 night 3 day tour on the a catamaran called “Powerplay”. We got a shared double room and it was $680 per person. Click Here for more information. We explored, White haven beach, The Hook Islands and a few great snorkeling spots. Click Here for more information. You can also take a day trip to Whitehaven beach from $255pp. Click Here for more information.
Mackay Region
Finch Hatton Gorge
Getting to finch Hatton Gorge has a few water crossing to the carpark. If you don’t have a car that can go through the water it is fairly easy to get a lift up to the carpark or you can walk the 2km. Once at the carpark the walk to Araluen cascades and wheel of fire is about 2km one way. Finch Hatton Gorge is located in Eungella National Park 40km from Mackay.
Eungella National Park
There is a few short walks at Eungella national Park
Pine Gove walk to the arch tree is about 1.8km circuit. Park at the small carpark next to the school. Be ware there is wild pigs, leeches and we also saw a small baby snake.
The sky window Lookout is a short 250m circuit to a spectacular lookout down the mountain range. It is also suitable to everyone.
Broken river platypus lookout about 400m from the carpark. This is a beautiful walk along the river in the rainforest.
Cape HillsBourgh
We headed out to cape hills Bourgh and visited Halliday Bay, Ball Bay and Casuarinas beach. We also headed up to Andrew’s point lookout which starts along Casuarina beach at low tide. You can walk along the beach to Wedge Island and up to Andrews lookout. There is also another pathway through a bush trail which will be an up and back trail and not a circuit.
