Finch Hatton Gorge is located in Central Queensland located in the Mackay region around 40km from Mackay. This is one of the best natural swimming spots in the Region. This incredible walking track takes you through the rainforest and past lush ferns, wildlife, giant boulders, crystal-clear creeks, and waterfalls to swim in. The best way to get here is with your own car as its about 1 hour from the main town.
As it has been raining a fair bit lately and it is wet season as we are visiting in March. A high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle would be the best to get into Finch Hatton Car Park. However in dry season will grant access to a standard Two-wheel drive vehicle. You can walk the 4km return walk along the road to get to the car park if you are in a 2wd in the wet season.
The Finch Hatton Gorge walk from the car park is 2.8km return to Araluen cascades, this is the closer and more popular swimming spot. It is 4.2km return walk to The Wheel of fire waterfall Or just over 5km return to see both. Allow around 3 hours to walk to both swimming spots including swimming time.
From the carpark head along the trail for about 1km before getting to a T intersection from here you can head left to Araluen Cascades about 400m down hill to the cascades. If your Turn right you will head to The Wheel of Fire gorge the walk is up many stairs, requiring a rock hopping over the Callistemon crossing.
The walk to the Wheel of fire is is a little more challenging to get to with more stairs and elevation. There is also one section where you need to scale large boulders that can be impassable after heavy rain. Although it does look impassable across the creek we managed to scale across the rocks to the other side. We also meet a couple others who also crossed but got about waist deep when crossing. If crossing be really careful as the rocks are slippery and the current is strong. As it is harder to get to you will most likely be the only person here or only a few others may visit when you are there.
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