Discover unexpected beauty along the Mackay Highlands Great Walk

The Mackay Highlands Great Walk is a one-way track that starts 80km west of Mackay in Eungella National Park, one of Queensland’s most ecologically diverse parks, and travels through sections of Homevale National Park and Crediton State Forest.

Mount Dalrymple, one of Queensland’s highest peaks at 1227 metres, might rise straight through Eungella National Park, but don’t let a topographic map of the area put you off this walk. The 56km of terrain here is almost completely flat because you’re walking along the top of the Great Dividing Range, not climbing it – especially if you complete the walk from north to south.

While it is considered a grade 5 track, the first two sections of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk are relatively flat and semi-graded, making this section an excellent introductory walk for first-timers with a good level of fitness. The views across Pioneer Valley and Mackay’s sugar cane plantations will take your breath away much faster than the hike will.

You’ll be so busy breathing in that fresh, crisp and filtered air through the photosynthesis of million-year-old trees and admiring the lush rainforest, dense palm groves, and dramatic peaks that you'll barely blink an eye at the 10-20kms of trail you’ll conquer daily.

The Mackay Highlands Great Walk is comprised of four sections:

Pine Grove to Broken River—10 km one way (3.5–5 hours)

This shady and fairly level track weaves through tranquil rainforest and shimmering palms to cross the Clarke Range to Broken River.

Broken River to Crediton Hall—11.2 km one way (3.75–5.5 hours)

A long track with short uphill sections, the trail follows alongside Broken River, before leaving the rainforest and heading through farming communities to Crediton Hall.

Crediton Hall to Denham Range—19.5 km one way (6.5–9.75 hours)

This remote and sometimes steep section of track is recommended for fit and experienced walkers. It travels through farming country, up to a rainforest ridge and through Crediton State Forest.

Denham Range to Moonlight Dam—16.2 km one way (5.5–8 hours)

Descend through eucalyptus woodlands and soak up the surrounding mountain ranges and sharp peaks rising from the dry country. You’ll cross dry creek beds to Moonlight Dam, a camping area with a grazing history. This walk has challenging steep descents.

If you choose to complete the entire Mackay Highlands Great Walk, it will take around three to five days, finishing at the historic town of Mt Britton, a now abandoned gold-mining area which thrived in the 1880s.

What you can expect to see in the Mackay Highlands

Forget what you know about the sugarcane capital; Mackay’s Highlands are so radically different to its namesake city, that you might as well bring a passport to travel the 80kms that separate the two. 

Aside from having its highest peaks constantly kissed by clouds (the park’s name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘land of the clouds’), Eungella National Park has more talking points than its eternal fog. It’s the oldest and longest sub-tropical rainforest in Australia and there are 860 plant species living in this ancient rainforest wonderland.

The start of your walk will take you through towering red cedar, Mackay tulip oak, groves of piccabeen and Alexandra palms. Further along, the scenery changes to mixed eucalypt forests featuring fragrant lemon-scented gums, bloodwoods, ironbarks, banksias and grass trees.

225 different species of rainforest birds live along the Mackay Highlands Great Walk, including the Eungella Honeyeater, Regent Bower Bird, White Breasted Sea Eagle and Wompoo Fruit Dove. The colourful array of butterflies in the area is spectacular, too.

The true gem hiding amongst the unexpected beauty of Eungella National Park? The platypus. This is one of the best places in Australia to spot one in the wild. Keep your eyes peeled around the banks of Broken River early in the morning or late in the evening for your best chance at a sighting.

Want to swim among cascading waterfalls and curious rock formations? Put Finch Hatton Gorge at the top of your list. While it's not technically part of the Great Walk, it’s an easy detour. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers – a dip at the top is irresistible, especially after climbing some 300 stairs to the top.

Where to stay in the Mackay Highlands

You might assume that embarking on the Mackay Highlands Great Walk means pitching a tent at the end of each day, but the Mackay region does things differently.

Unlike many other Queensland treks, this Queensland Great Walk holds the trump card, with the option of a warm bed, hot shower and a cooked meal the whole way. 

If you aren’t keen on carrying your tent, bag and clothes on your back, Broken River Mountain Resort will look after your accommodation, meals and transfers so you can pick up where you left off and enjoy all the creature comforts.

The eco-resort is located on a riverbank in Eungella National Park overlooking a significant platypus habitat. Rooms start at $150 per night and offers pickups and drop-offs throughout the journey, as well as the option for hikers to add packed lunches each day. 

You’ll find everything you need in your self-contained lodge, however when you’re not out hiking, chances are you’ll spend your downtime wining, dining and relaxing by the fire at the resort’s Possums Table restaurant.

If you intend on carrying your own gear, you can hike and camp from start to finish. You’ll need to book your campsites and vehicle passes before you set off. Camping permits must be purchased from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service from $7pp/night.

Camps are located at Fern Flat (Broken River), Crediton Hall, Denham Range and Moonlight Dam. All have access to toilets and water, though it’s recommended to treat water before drinking. 

Helpful tips for the Mackay Highlands Great Walk

Thinking of tackling the Mackay Highlands Great Walk yourself? Here are a few more things to know before you go.

• All major airlines fly into Mackay Airport, where you can hire a car and hit the road to the Great Walk.
• It’s recommended to embark on this Mackay hiking trail between April and September to avoid wet and dry weather extremes.
• Mobile phone coverage is limited. 
• You can refill your water containers from the water tanks at the camping areas. Treat all water before drinking.
• Practice 'Leave No Trace' principles and stay on the track at all times to minimise erosion during your walk

Once the Mackay Highlands Great Walk fuels your sense of adventure, here are even more Great Walks in Queensland to choose from.