Mackay Highlands
PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY – 6-day Guided Pack-Free Walk
Experience the wonders of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk on this exclusive 6-day guided adventure, available for private groups only. Located 80 kilometres west of Mackay in Eungella National Park, meaning “land of clouds,” the tour promises stunning views over Pioneer Valley and the region’s iconic sugar cane fields.
The journey covers the highlights of The Great Walk, guiding you through some of the area’s most scenic and diverse landscapes. You’ll encounter lush rainforests filled with towering trees, explore dense palm groves, and marvel at dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Each step reveals a different aspect of the area’s natural beauty, offering a rare opportunity to experience the unique flora and fauna of this remarkable region.
To enhance the adventure, the itinerary includes a day at Cape Hillsborough National Park on the Hibiscus Coast, north of Mackay. This coastal section showcases where the rainforest meets the ocean, with breathtaking views out to the Whitsunday Islands. The contrast between the hinterland’s rugged charm and the coastal serenity adds a special touch to the experience, making it an unforgettable journey.
Designed as a pack-free walk, this tour allows you to immerse yourself fully in the surroundings without the burden of carrying heavy gear. Expert guides lead the way, sharing insights and stories about the area’s history, ecology, and culture, ensuring you gain a deeper appreciation for this beautiful part of Queensland. Each day’s walk is carefully curated to offer a mix of leisurely strolls and more challenging sections, catering to different fitness levels while still providing a rewarding experience.
Perfect for nature lovers and those seeking a personalised adventure, this private tour delivers an exclusive way to explore the Mackay Highlands. Embrace the tranquillity, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and discover the magic of Eungella and Cape Hillsborough National Parks. This 6-day pack-free journey offers a chance to reconnect with nature and create lasting memories in one of Australia’s most scenic regions.
A Pack-Free walk
Walk with as little as your water and camera
One of the biggest drawcards of this walk is that our guests won’t be asked to carry their clothes or overnight bags for the entire walk. This is a big advantage for our guests, in that you will avoid carrying an additional 8kg or more on your back every day. With Life’s An Adventure, you will carry as little as your water bottle and camera each day!
Mackay Mantra
Situated on the waterfront of the picturesque Mackay Marina with views of the Coral Sea
Mackay Mantra situated on the waterfront of the picturesque Mackay Marina is only a short drive from the city centre and just 20 minutes from Mackay Airport. Stay in Superior Deluxe Suites and enjoy the hotels views of tropical blue waters of the Coral Sea in Mackay’s premier location. All rooms are well appointed with modern conveniences including, flat screen televisions, free WiFi, fully appointed kitchenettes and private balconies. There is also a swimming pool, gym, and complimentary guest laundry services.
Meals can be enjoyed al-fresco or inside at the on-site restaurant Latitude 21 Bar & Restaurant which serves a variety of modern Australian cuisine with locally sourced produce.
Broken River Mountain Resort
An eco-resort nestled on the banks of Broken River
Broken River Mountain Resort is 90 kilometres west of Mackay, on Australia’s East coast, famous for its history as one of countries largest sugarcane farming regions. The eco-resort, established in 1988, is nestled on the banks of Broken River, a subtropical micro-climate which is famously home to the elusive platypus. The resort is a short walk from platypus viewing platforms which you are likely to see in the early morning or late afternoons.
The facilities of the resort, which comprises of spacious, comfortable one or two bedroom lodges, also include a restaurant, pool and outdoor areas. Enjoy exploring the lush rainforest and the unique plant and animal life that call Eungella home.
Possums Table is the restaurant on-site and serves exceptional cuisine made with fresh quality ingredients locally sourced. Enjoy your meals by the fireplace in the open lounge or enjoy a table with views of the rainforest.
Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park
A haven nestled in the beautiful and tranquil surroundings
The Cape Hillsborough National Park is a haven nestled in the beautiful and tranquil surroundings. The best retreat option for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park. This isolated park is only a short drive from Mackay, the central North Queensland centre. This unique position, located in the National Park and surrounded by pure beach frontage, gives the best of all worlds.
Your accommodation will be in Family Beach Cabins/Huts.
Lunch at Cape Hillsborough Resort
Celebratory Lunch day 4
On day 4 of our walk, enjoy a lunch at Cape Hillsborough Resort. A great chance to look back on all that we’ve experienced and seen.
Local Produce
and regional wines
Our Resort and Hotel hosts have a passion for good food and their attention to meals is impeccable. The menus are based on the regional foods in season. Meals are produced with a combination of homemade, homegrown and local produce. The flavours and creativity make for memorable meals, all this accompanied by wonderful wines.
Flexible itineraries
Choose the walk to suit you
As we have two guides on this walk we are able to offer both easier and more challenging walking options for our guests catering for a range of abilities and fitness levels. (subject to groups of over 7 people).
Our CEO Guides
Chief Experience Officers
We are very proud of our guides, we call them our CEOs – Chief Experience Officers and it’s their job to ensure your tour exceeds your expectations. Each has an amazing balance of a caring attitude and amazing story-telling ability will make your tour a relaxing, fun and informative experience.
Genuinely all-inclusive
When you travel on one of our walking tours, you won’t be asked to put your hand in your pocket for extras along the way. All meals and wine during our dinner are included in your walking tour with nothing more to pay.
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Why should you choose us?
Tour Itinerary
This is an all-inclusive tour with no hidden extras:
- 6 day Pack Free Walk
- 1 night in Mackay Mantra
- 2 nights in Broken River Mountain Resort, Eungella National Park
- 2 nights Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park
- Regional boutique wine and non-alcoholic drinks served with dinner.
- 5 x delicious dinners featuring beautiful local produce
- 5 x hot and cold breakfasts
- 3 x packed lunches to enjoy whilst walking
- Lunch at the Cape Hillsborough Resort on Day 4
- Fresh fruit and trail mix to enjoy during your walk
- Professionally guided – Our CEO’s – Chief Experience Officers are locals who are passionate, well trained and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information
- National Parks fees
Please note: we advise drinking in moderation as walking can be strenuous. Wine is served to enjoy with your dinner only, if you would like to enjoy alcohol after dinner you will need to purchase your own.
Today is an arrival day. Book your own flight to arrive any time into Mackay and make your own way to the Mackay Mantra situated on the waterfront of the picturesque Mackay Marina with views of the Coral Sea, your room has been booked and ready for your arrival. Enjoy a day at leisure. Meet your guide at 7pm at the hotel’s restaurant Latitude 21 Bar & Restaurant which serves modern Australian cuisine with locally sourced produce.
TRAIL NOTES: Pine Grove and Cedar Grove Track (3km) and Clarke range track to Broken River (8.2km)
TERRAIN: A moderate level of fitness is required for this shady and fairly level track.
WALK ITINERARY: Meet your guides in the hotel foyer of the Mackay Mantra at 7.30am for a short briefing with your guides before setting out on our adventure. This morning we will be driving through the picturesque Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park where you’ll enjoy views of lush flora, sugar canes plantations and contrasting volcanic boulder formations. The scenic journey will take approximately 1hr 15mins.
Our walking adventure in the beautiful Eungella National Park begins in the township of Eungella starting at the Pine Grove and Cedar Grove Track. This scenic walk takes you through lush rain forest, a strangler fig arch, past red cedars, tulip oaks and lots of palm trees. After morning tea at Sky Windows where there are two magnificent lookouts overlooking the National Park, we will continue onto the Clarke Range Track to Broken River. This track offers fantastic views and scenery from walking through the tall Piccabeen palm grove to crossing over the Broken River to various breathtaking lookouts taking in the views over Pioneer Valley. Enjoy a packed lunch at Granite Bend in the rainforest (weather permitting). On arriving into Broken River we will head to our accommodation at Broken River Mountain Resort where we will be staying for two nights. The eco-resort is nestled on the banks of Broken River which is famously home to the elusive platypus. This is one of the best places in Australia to spot one in the wild. Tonight enjoy a superb meal at Possums Table featuring produce sourced locally from tropical farms, rivers and oceans and regional wines. Sit by the fireplace in the open lounge or enjoy a table with views of the rainforest.
TRAIL NOTES: Broken River to Crediton Hall (11.2km/3.75-5.5hrs from)
TERRAIN: A moderate to high level of fitness is required for this long track with short uphill sections.
WALK ITINERARY: This morning we will enjoy the Broken River to Crediton Hall Track, part of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk. On this rainforest track take in the towering trees, dense palm groves and dramatic cliffs, peaks and spires. For the avid bird enthusiast there are 225 different species of rainforest birds that live along this Mackay hiking trail, including the Eungella Honeyeater, Regent Bower Bird, White Breasted Sea Eagle and Wompoo Fruit Dove. The colourful array of butterflies in the area is also spectacular. Whilst walking alongside Broken River we’ll stop to enjoy morning tea and a packed lunch to take in the beauty that surrounds us. As the rainforest section of this trails ends we will follow the track through local farming communities to Crediton Hall. After a short drive back to Broken River Mountain Resort (approx 3:30pm) see if you can spot any platypus! Early morning and late afternoons are the best time to see these graceful animals. Tonight enjoy dinner in Eungella at the Eungella Chalet.
TRAIL NOTES: Finch Hatton Gorge (5 km) 4 hours
TERRAIN: Finch Hatton Gorge track has approximately 300 steps up to the Wheel of Fire where you’ll have an opportunity to swim before a downhill return.
WALK ITINERARY: After breakfast we’ll depart Broken River driving to Finch Hatton Gorge where we will spend the morning walking through lush flora, volcanic boulder formations and see the beautiful Araluen waterfall. Take a refreshing dip in one of the nearby rock pools if you feel like a cooldown or continue on for another 1.4 kilometres when we’ll reach the Wheel of Fire Cascades, another beautiful waterfall with a large rock pool at its base. This second part of the walk has approximately 300 steps to climb but the views are well worth it and all downhill on return. On the trail look out for rare and unusual flora and fauna, such as the gastric brooding frog, the orange-sided skink, Mackay tulip oak, Eungella spiny cray and Eungella honeyeater. Once leaving Finch Hatton Gorge we will have lunch at the Finch Hatton Hotel before continuing onto Cape Hillsborough National Park. The next two nights are spent at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park situated in the park itself. This beautifully tranquil park is only a short drive from Mackay and is uniquely surrounded by pure beach frontage! Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the onsite cafe.
TRAIL AND TERRAIN NOTES: Diversity Boardwalk (easy 1.2 Km, ¾ Hour), Beachcomber Cove track (moderate 2.2 km, 1.5 hours), Andrews Point Juipera track (moderate to hard, 5.2km, 2 hours) and the Juipera Plant Trail (easy 1.6km, 1 hour)
WALK ITINERARY: This morning if you’re an early riser you want to enjoy watching the sunrise from the beach. You may even see some kangaroos and wallabies on the beach! We will spend the day exploring the National Park and walking four individual tracks in the area starting with the Diversity Boardwalk (easy 1.2 Km, ¾ Hour) where we’ll meander through mangroves, eucalypt open forest and vine thicket. Throughout the boardwalk Aboriginal middens may be spotted. After morning tea enjoy the Beachcomber Cove track (moderate 2.2 km, 1.5 hours) which passes through more open eucalypt forest, hoop pines, ferns and vines on the climb to the ridge for spectacular views of the surrounding areas and then desend down to the secluded cove. Next enjoy the Andrews Point Juipera track (moderate to hard, 5.2km, 2 hours) which follows the coast and has five fantastic lookouts to take in the beautiful views of the coastline and the Whitsunday Islands. We may even spot turtles or whales (during migration season). If it’s low tide we can walk back along the beach! Following this walk we’ll enjoy a lunch at the Cape Hillsborough Resort before taking a short drive to the Juipera Plant Trail (easy 1.6km, 1 hour) where your guide will give you a fascinating insight into the local Aboriginal history for the surrounding area. Enjoy our last evening with a delicious meal back at the resort.
Tour Availability
The tour is only available for private groups of 6 or more people.
A departure date of your choice, subject to availability.
Please enquire for price based on your group size.
Email us at walks@lifesanadventure.com.au or contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
* Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
* A deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your booking. (unless taking advantage of Earlybird or Spot Specials in which full payment is required at time of booking).
* Note: If you are booking within 90 days of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
* Prices are based on twin share of rooms. If you are travelling solo you may be required to share with someone of the same gender. If this is not suitable you can request to pay a single supplement, however, limited single rooms are available per trip so are on a request basis.
* Credit Card fees apply or contact us for bank transfer payment options. The following fees apply. Australian Credit Cards including Visa and Mastercard 1% +$0.20 per transaction, International Credit Cards including Visa and Mastercard 3.4% + $0.30 per transaction (payments in AUD).
* Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
* We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc. Click here
* Credit for cancelled activities. If a tour activity has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a credit for this missed activity can be applied to any future bookings. Click here.
