Mackay & Whitsundays

[Fox Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fox]

Just back from a road trip north to my old home town of Mackay. Did the usual day trips to Eungella to see a platypus (and some 4wding in the mud), around Hay Point to show the kids what coal looks like out of the ground, and Cape Hillsborough, Seaforth and Halliday Bay for a bit of fishing. We also went up to Airlie Beach and a bit further north to Dingo Beach, Hydeaway Bay and Cape Gloucester. Stayed on Daydream Island then returned home with a stay in Gladstone for good measure.

We had great weather in Mackay while to the north was getting "cycloned" and here on the Sunshine Coast was getting "cycloned" also.

We have been trying alternate routes up and down the coast as my wife doesn't like driving the Bruce Highway with trucks, caravans and impatient drivers so we have been taking the inland roads via Gayndah, Eidsvold, Monto, Biloela, Emerald, Clermont etc. Much more interesting and much less traffic. On Sunday after leaving Gladstone we went through Calliope and down through the Boyne Valley through Kalpower, Many Peaks and a few other places on the way to Monto. The road wasn't great in parts but so much more to see and no where near as boring as the Bruce Highway. I think the kids enjoy it a bit more also as they get to see a bit of the history of these older towns.

We did 3,200klms all up and without doing an accurate fuel check I reckon we averaged about 10.5ltrs / 100klms for the entire trip. I can't praise the Prado highly enough as a great touring vehicle.

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There's gems in them billy bolders !!

Great minds think a like !!! It's a great part of the country up there, that hardly anyone knows about.

I normally travel up to Eungella from Mackay, stay the night on the dam and let the kids have a cool, safe swim. Then head off early in the morning towards the bowen development road.

From here I have been a different way each time, I try and following any of the many rivers (often dried up river beds) either to Clermont or the Capicorn Hwy. There are so many tracks and so many great spots out there to explore.

The kids and misses love digging in the dirt for ruby's. If you haven't had a go at fossicking you should give it a go. Rubyvale Caravan park is across the road from the pub and central to most of the towns activities.

It is hilarious on the cheap bistro feed at the pub night. All the miners are out with their $+100Ks of gems and jewels on every finger, ear and numerous chains around their wrist and necks they have found but they have no real money so they go on like school kids over a $3.50 meal.

Heads up - The pub brings out a second serve so there is no need to rush.

If you don't want to fossick, the field are the best spot to buy gems, they are about one third the price of normal jewelery shops. There is also a mine tour under ground which is pretty good to see how it all works. Not as good as the Mt Isa one but not bad though.

We fossicked for gold in Clemont then fossicked for gems around Rubyvale, Sapphire and had a couple of very nice pieces made for the Misses.

If your a newbie the best spot is at Rubyvale, the town is the mine site, there are a couple of touristy places to hone your wallaby skills.

We also normally stop to let the kids see one of those 15 minute coal trains !!

[Fox Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fox]

Yep, the wife has some necklaces and rings made up from gems we have found at the gemfields, a great way to spend a few days.

[Brissy4me Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brissy4me]

Re: There's gems in them billy bolders !!

There is also a mine tour under ground which is pretty good to see how it all works. Not as good as the Mt Isa one but not bad though.

I have heard a rumour that the Mt Isa Mines underground tour has now stopped running. Dont know if it is true or not. Maybe someone from up that way could confirm? I did it about 10 years ago and it was a fantastic experience. A pity if it has stopped running.

[MTpockets Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MTpockets]

I am a expat Mackay boy and my family still live there.
We try to get up there every year or so to visit. Last time I was up there I was told about the tracks from Eungela to Collinsville. I didnt have the time to check it out, but will next time. The gemfields are one place I never did get to go to, maybe one day soon now I have read this.. :wink:

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I'm not sure about the mine tours being cancelled, but it is one of the main tourist attractions of going to the Isa. I would be very surprised to find out they had cancelled the tours, but any thing is possible. It is like going to Cape York and not walking out to the point. I know that in the dry season you must book at least 3-4 months ahead as it is so popular.

I love the central Qld area. I don't know why more people don't go up there. It is a little more remote and you need to be a little more prepared I guess?

There must be at least +20 different tracks to get to the Bowen Development road from Eungella.

Track conditions vary from very good to almost non existant or impassable. Also we were out that way late last year and noticed the number and aggresiveness of the dingos had increased quite significantly. I don't know if this will have any effect on the last 50 (however many are left) Hair Nose Wombat population at Epping Forest? I think it is all fenced off now?

If you are going up Collinsville way, there are some great tracks across to Dalrymple lake, then across to Gregory's Development Road. There is some great fishing out on the lake. Woooo Whooo, its the biggest Dam in Queensland apparently, to bad it is so far north of Brisbane !

[MUMSRIG Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MUMSRIG]

Re: There's gems in them billy bolders !!

There is also a mine tour under ground which is pretty good to see how it all works. Not as good as the Mt Isa one but not bad though.

I have heard a rumour that the Mt Isa Mines underground tour has now stopped running. Dont know if it is true or not. Maybe someone from up that way could confirm? I did it about 10 years ago and it was a fantastic experience. A pity if it has stopped running.

If anyone wants to go on a Mine Tour, look me up, I work in an underground mine and it's not that exiting! Come out to Willuna in WA and say hi :wink:

[Fox Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fox]

Here are a few photos from our trip to Mackay in December and South Mission Beach / Daintree in July.

They aren't in any order, hope you enjoy.


Bloomfield Track


North of Cape Tribulation


Cape Tribulation


Pioneer Valley from Eungella


Halliday Bay


Seaforth


Grasstree Beach


Cape Gloucester


Cape Gloucester


Nelly Beach


Somewhere around Atherton Tableland


South Mission Beach


South of Cape Trib

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Some great shots their Mark, i keep telling the wife we have to go up north for a holiday.

[plucker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close plucker]

I'll find out about the mine tours at Mt Isa. Also for anyone heading out that way book accom way in advance as it can be booked out. Same with Cloncurry and richmond.
Mackay is a beautiful area and about where the good country starts.

[MTpockets Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MTpockets]

Homesick now !! 8)