Bushwalk Australia

As a new hiker,can anyone suggest where to go close to Mackay?

mt dalrymple

Hi Cowell_boy,

I can recommend the Airlie Great Walk, as a great beginners multi-day walk, and the Mackay Highlands Great Walk in the Eungalla area off the top of my head.

Both are probably best done outside the wet season, when it's a bit cooler, although you may like to punish yourself

you can criss-cross Cape Hillsbarough in all directions and every time find something new, not on tracks though (there is only a short official one). The location it is at you'd have to try hard to get lost.
The best walking around Mackay is off track. Eungella nat park is very large and it borders onto state forests and other reserves, it is full rainforest creeks and waterfalls, all tangled up in jungle vines and spectacular lookout rocks in hidden locations..... join the bushwalking club!

Just to help you along the way, cowell boy.....more choices.

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/list.php?region=63

via the information highway.......

kaite wrote:The best walking around Mackay is off track.

+1 - that is all of NQ - the only proper tracks are 500m boardwalks for bus tourists.

Only drama is sometimes hitting major patches of lawyer vine and having to turn back

yes, Wait-a-wile and Moonlighter or Stinging Tree! All part of the adventure! leeches, ticks, rain and sweat! there is also Lemon Myrtle, orchids and Ulysses butterflies.... :0)...

Cowell_boy wrote:As a new hiker,can anyone suggest where to go close to Mackay?

Surely there would be some good hiking at Eungella? I know there are some nice part-day walks.
I've also toured a bit out the back of that range and I reckon there would be some good stiff hikes on the western foothills.
Nth Qld tends to be a bit of a 'make your own fun' kind of a place (culturally as well as hikelogically) so don't expect the same sort of well defined trails and glossy advertising as Tassie or Vic. However if you have the skills to plan new routes and carry out off-track walks then there's plenty of virgin territory to explore.

As a new hiker though I would definitely suggest you hook up with some experienced walkers and learn the ropes and safely test the limits of your abilities before challenging yourself with self-planned or off track walks. I'm sure there is a bushwalking club in Mackay. Otherwise try meetup.com to find other similar-minded folk in your area. There's nearly always someone about willing to mentor a new walker if you put yourself out there.

Good Luck and enjoy!

Steve