Airlie Adventure Tours Eco Wildlife Two-Day Tour – Platypus & Kangaroos

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Two of North Queensland's best-known wildlife encounters on a two-day eco tour from Airlie Beach: wild platypus in the mountain rainforests of Eungella National Park, and kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise at Cape Hillsborough.

Days

2 days, 1 night

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 10

Start / finish

Airlie Beach / Airlie Beach

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Deluxe cabin at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park

Transport

Air-conditioned touring vehicle with a local guide, return transfers from Airlie Beach

Meals

1 lunch, 1 dinner with beer and wine, 1 breakfast, plus snacks and water

Route

Map of Airlie Adventure Tours Eco Wildlife Two-Day Tour – Platypus & Kangaroos

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Included experiences

Eungella National Park — wild platypus viewing
Cape Hillsborough — kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise
Mt Jukes Family Farm — wood-fired pizza dinner
Pinnacle Pub — Aussie meat pie lunch
Pioneer Valley — cane fields and rainforest slopes

Airlie Adventure Tours Eco Wildlife Two-Day Tour – Platypus & Kangaroos

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: AIRLIE BEACH TO THE PIONEER VALLEY

Your guide collects you in Airlie Beach and the small group heads south, then turns inland up the Pioneer Valley. This is sugar country: the cane fields along the Pioneer River help make the Mackay district the biggest cane-growing region in Australia, crushing about a third of the nation's crop, and you'll see the narrow cane railways running between the paddocks. Ahead, the green wall of the Clarke Range gets closer with every kilometre. Lunch is a proper Aussie meat pie at the Pinnacle Pub, an old country hotel in the tiny valley township of Pinnacle whose pies bring people from all over the district. Nobody leaves hungry.

DAY 1, AFTERNOON: PLATYPUS IN EUNGELLA NATIONAL PARK

From the valley floor the road climbs steeply into Eungella National Park. Eungella is usually translated as "land of cloud", and the mist often sits in the rainforest up here when the coast below is in sunshine. The park protects one of the longest unbroken stretches of subtropical rainforest in Australia, and the Eungella honeyeater lives here and nowhere else on earth. Then comes the quiet part. By a rainforest creek, your guide shows you how to spot a wild platypus: a ring of ripples, a line of bubbles, a flat bill breaking the surface. A platypus closes its eyes and ears when it dives and finds its food by sensing the electric signals of yabbies and insect larvae, so stillness pays.

DAY 1, EVENING: PIZZA AT MT JUKES AND A NIGHT AT CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

Back down the range, the evening is spent close to the coast. Dinner is wood-fired pizza and farm food at Mt Jukes Family Farm, out in the hills of the Mount Jukes district north-west of Mackay, with beer and wine on the table. Your bed for the night is a deluxe cabin at Cape Hillsborough, inside a bushland park right beside the national park. Captain James Cook sailed past in June 1770 and named the headland after the Earl of Hillsborough, a British politician of the day. After dark it is quiet enough to hear the sea from your cabin. Set your alarm early.

Overnight: Cape Hillsborough (deluxe cabin at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park)

DAY 2: KANGAROOS AT SUNRISE, BACK TO AIRLIE BEACH

Up before first light and down to the sand. On most mornings agile wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos hop out of the bush onto the beach at Cape Hillsborough to feed along the tideline, and nobody is quite sure why. Washed-up seaweed, mangrove seed pods and the grass behind the dunes are the likely draw. The beach faces east, so the sun comes up straight out of the Coral Sea behind them, which is why photographers travel a long way for this half-hour. Your guide explains the coast and its wildlife as the light changes. Then it's a relaxed breakfast by the beach before the drive back to Airlie Beach.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Return transfers from Airlie Beach.
Fitness: Relaxed.
Suits: All ages — wildlife lovers, photographers, couples and nature travellers.
Please note: Eco Certified by Ecotourism Australia. Minimum of 2 guests.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Light jacket or warm clothing for early mornings
Camera or smartphone
Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
Insect repellent
Reusable water bottle
Overnight bag and toiletries
Swimwear and towel (optional)
Any personal medications

What is included

Return transfers from Airlie Beach
Small-group guided tour with a local eco guide
Wild platypus viewing at Eungella National Park
Kangaroos on the beach at sunrise at Cape Hillsborough
Overnight stay in a deluxe cabin at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park
Lunch at the Pinnacle Hotel
Wood-fired pizza dinner at Mt Jukes Family Farm, with beer and wine
Breakfast at Cape Hillsborough
Snacks and bottled water throughout
National park entry fees
Modern air-conditioned touring vehicle

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.