Araluen Cascades Walk

Found in the Eungella National Park, near the Mackay Highlands in Queensland, this is an enchanting area, with rainforests shrouded in misty clouds, steep escarpments leading down to gorges and pools and lots of birdsong in the forests. It s is one of Queensland’s most ecologically diverse national parks and with over 860 protected tropical and subtropical plant species alone, it is a botanist’s delight!Araluen Falls is an hour’s drive from Mackay. When leaving the town, head west along State Route 70, then turn right onto State Route 64. After about 40 miles, at Finch Hatton turns right onto Peoples Street, which becomes Gorge Road. Follow this road for the next 5 miles until you reach the end of the road and the picnic area.The trail begins from the Finch Hatton Gorge picnic area, where there are toilet facilities and parking and is graded as Difficult. For information on how we grade trails, please click here. With steep uphill sections through the rainforest between giant boulders of granite, the trail leads up to the lookout point above Araluen Cascades. Be careful, the rocks can be very slippery. En route, look out for rare and unusual species such as the orange-sided skink, the gastric-brooding frog, the Mackay Tulip oak, the Eungella spiny cray platypus and honeyeaters. Swimming in the pools is permitted but observe the safety signs (no jumping or diving) and be aware that variable water depths plus fast-flowing water make it rather risky. This trail can be completed in just over an hour although caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here. Unsuitable for wheelchairs, and pushchairs, young children may also struggle. Dogs are not allowed due to the conservation of nature.