Journeys
Survive your visit to Finch Hatton Gorge
Take extreme care around cascades and fast flowing streams.
Six people have died in accidents around the Finch Hatton Gorge area over the past 40 years. Many more have been seriously injured―some of these include spinal injuries. These incidents are specifically due to slipping on the wet slippery rocks and steep wet slopes—please take these warnings seriously.
- The rocks and rock-faces adjoining the cascades are slippery and hazardous.
- Climbing, jumping or diving from cliffs is prohibited.
- Swimming in the creeks can be dangerous and is at your own risk.
Breathe in crisp mountain air as you take a short stroll with the family. Walk for several hours, or take off on the challenging 56km Mackay Highlands Great Walk.
When choosing your walk, consider fitness levels and weather. Allow more time to rest and return to your starting point if you are inexperienced bushwalkers or walking with small children. If planning a one-way walk, allow time to return along the same track to your starting point. Alternatively, arrange to be picked up or dropped off at parking areas or track access points.
Please read the safety information before you walk at Eungella National Park.
For more information see the Eungella and Mackay Highlands Discovery Guide or pick up a copy from the information kiosk at Broken River.
To find out where each track starts and finishes, match the map references below to the Eungella National Park short walks map .
Walking tracks at a glance
Matching experience and expectations—to make your planning easier, simply match your expectations and experience with the most suitable track or trail.
| Track name | Classification | Distance (return unless stated) | Time (return unless stated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Grove circuit | Grade 3 | 1.6km | 45min–1hr |
| Pine Grove-Cedar Grove track | Grade 3 | 2.8km one way | 1–1.5hr each way |
| Sky Window circuit | Grade 1 | 250m | 5–10min |
| Clarke Range track | Grade 4 | 8.2km one way | 3–4hr each way |
| River Walk | Grade 1 | 520m one way | 10min |
| Rainforest Discovery circuit | Grade 3 | 780m circuit | 20–30min |
| Granite Bend circuit | Grade 3 | 1.6km circuit | 40–55min |
| Crediton Creek track | Grade 4 | 8km one way | 3–4hr each way |
| Wishing Pool circuit | Grade 4 | 1.7km circuit | 35–50min |
| Track name | Classification | Distance (return unless stated) | Time (return unless stated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crediton Hall-Denham Range | Grade 5 | 19.5km one way | 6.5–9.5hr each way |
| Denham Range-Moonlight Dam | Grade 5 | 16.2km one way | 5.5–8hr each way |
| Track name | Classification | Distance (return unless stated) | Time (return unless stated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Araluen Cascades track | Grade 3 | 2.8km | 1–1.5hr |
| Wheel of Fire track | Grade 4 | 4.2km | 1.5–2hr |
Walks in the Clark Range–Broken River area
Pine Grove circuit
Distance: 1.6km return
Time: Allow 45min–1hr
Map reference: (1)–(P)–(1)
Details: Fairly level circuit suitable for most visitors. Starting from the Pine Grove car park, enjoy a pleasant walk in rainforest shade with glimpses of the Pioneer Valley. Return to Pine Grove car park via a roadside track.
Cedar Grove track
Distance: 2.8km one way
Time: Allow 1–1.5hr
Map reference: (1)–(2)
Details: Moderate level of fitness required for short uphill sections and stairs. Walk in rainforest shade and catch glimpses of the Pioneer Valley through tall trees. Stop at the lookout to take in the valley floor view—a patchwork of green and brown cane fields with a steep mountain backdrop.
Continue from the Pine Grove track to feel dwarfed by towering red cedars and tulip oaks. Take a moment to stand inside the strangler fig tree arch. After crossing bridges over gentle creeks and brushing past livistona palm fronds, stay a while and relax at the Sky Window visitor area.
Sky Window circuit
Distance: 250m return
Time: Allow 5–10min
Map reference: (2)
Details: This is a short and level track suitable for most visitors. Take a leisurely walk to the lookout for views across Pioneer Valley to the steep, rugged northern wall. Stop at trackside signs to witness the changes in land use in the Eungella region.
Clarke Range Track
Distance: 8.2km one way
Time: Allow 3–4hr one way
Map reference: (2)–(G)–(R)-(3)
Details: Moderate level of fitness required for long track with some short uphill sections and stairs. From Sky Window, walk down through layers of bright piccabeen and Alexandra palms. During light rain or early morning mist, feel the rainforest’s magic as fronds glisten in the breeze. Descend to Broken River’s tumbling cascades and link up to Granite Bend Circuit and Rainforest Discovery Circuit to reach the visitor area and other facilities.
Note: Broken River Crossing is weather dependent with high flowing water restricting access after moderate to heavy rainfall. Visitors choosing to cross the creek need to take care on slippery rocks and be aware of fast stream flows.
River walk
Distance: 520m one way
Time: Allow 10min
Map reference: (3)
Details: Be entranced by playful platypus along this easy and relatively level track suitable for young families and people in wheelchairs (with assistance). The River walk links Fern Flat camping area and Broken River visitor area with the Rainforest Discovery Circuit and longer tracks. Viewing platforms allow you to stop and look for signs of life in the waters of Broken River.
Rainforest Discovery circuit
Distance: 780m circuit
Time: Allow 20–30min return
Map reference: (3)–(R)–(G)–(G)–(R)–(3)
Details: This short and level track is suitable for most visitors. From the Broken River visitor area, step into cool and shady rainforest. Cross trickling creeks and glance up to see tall trees decorated with epiphytes and vines. Stop at trackside signs to see the rainforest through the eyes of Eungella State School students.
Granite Bend circuit
Distance: 1.6km circuit return
Time: Allow 40–55min
Map reference: (3)–(G)–(C)–(G)–(3)
Details: This is a fairly level track suitable for most visitors. Consider walking Granite Bend Circuit as an extension of Rainforest Discovery circuit – starting from Broken River day-use area.
Pass through tall groves of livistona palms before taking a break at a bend in Broken River. Stay a while and listen to the water rushing over rocks.
Crediton Creek track
Distance: 8km one way
Time: Allow 3–4hr each way
Map reference: (3)–(C)–(W)–(4)
Details: Moderate to high level of fitness required for long track with some slopes. For a shorter walk, organise to be picked up at the Wishing Pool access point—you can also start your journey there.
From the Broken River visitor area travel through the Granite Bend Circuit to the Wishing Pool intersection. Follow the Crediton Creek track with the river at your side. Walk from rainforest gullies up to rocky ridges covered in drier vine forest. Where the track meets calm river sections, enjoy reflections in the water and watch for the ripples of a platypus.
Wishing Pool circuit
Distance: 1.7km circuit
Time: Allow 35–50min return
Map reference: (4)–(W)–(4)
Details: This is a fairly level track suitable for most visitors. The track entrance is hard to spot—travel 3km along Eungella Dam Road. Turn left into Crediton Loop Road. Continue another 3km until you reach a hair-pin bend with a small car park on the opposite side of the road. Enjoy this circuit or arrange to be dropped off at the track entrance as part of Crediton Creek track.
As you pass through tall rainforest carpeted with delicate ferns, listen for different birds calling around you. Stop by the calm river pool to see forest canopy reflections.
Walks in Finch Hatton Gorge
Araluen Cascades track
Distance: 2.8km return
Time: Allow 1–1.5hr return. Plus time to sit and enjoy.
Details: From Finch Hatton Gorge picnic area, a moderate track with uphill sections leads you through lush rainforest and between granite boulders to the lookout above Araluen Cascades.
DANGER: Sheer cliffs and cascades. One slip could be fatal—serious injuries and deaths have happened at this site. Supervise children closely. Observe safety signs and do not enter areas designated as restricted access—these areas are closed to keep you safe.
Swimming in the creeks can be dangerous and is at your own risk. Jumping and diving into the water is prohibited. Variable water depths, submerged rocks and logs, and fast flowing water combine to make this activity extremely dangerous. Serious injury and deaths have occurred here.
See Finch Hatton Gorge safety section.
Wheel of Fire track
Distance: 4.2km return
Time: Allow 1.5–2hr return. Plus time to sit and enjoy.
Details: Turn off from Araluen Cascades track for a moderate walk to a large rock pool. This track has uphill sections with more than 300 steps—assess your fitness before commencing. Callistemon Crossing is a particularly rewarding place to sit among the palms.
Callistemon Crossing is weather dependent. High flowing water restricts access after moderate to heavy rainfall. Visitors choosing to cross the creek need to take extreme care on slippery rocks and be aware of fast stream flows. Be prepared to get wet feet and boots.
When you reach Wheel of Fire, choose a comfortable boulder and cool your feet before walking 2.1km back to the parking area.
DANGER: Sheer cliffs and cascades. Do not attempt to climb the rocks above Wheel of Fire. One slip could be fatal—serious injuries and deaths have happened at this site. Supervise children closely. Observe safety signs and do not enter areas designated as restricted access—these areas are closed to keep you safe.
Mackay Highlands Great Walk
Distance: 56km one way (3–5 days)
Details: The Mackay Highlands Great Walk is only for experienced walkers with high fitness levels. Explore rainforest and palm groves, cliffs and peaks, and quiet roads and farming communities.
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Mackay Highlands Great Walk
Cool and cloudy rainforest, towering trees, dense palm groves, and dramatic cliffs, peaks and spires—experience all these on the 56km Mackay Highlands Great Walk.
See more journeys under Mackay Highlands Great Walk.
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Information about scenic drives available in the Eungella National Park area.
- Clarke Range Track Closure 24 May 2023 to 30 June 2024