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Natural features

Broken River platypus, Eungella National Park

Australia Queensland

Broken River platypus, Eungella National Park
Photo: Steven Penton from Bakers Beach, Tasmania Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Eungella ('land of cloud') is a high plateau of misty subtropical rainforest west of Mackay, and Broken River is one of the best places in Australia to see a platypus in the wild. Viewing platforms overlook the river; come at dawn or dusk, stand quietly and watch for the ripples. Turtles are almost always visible too.


The drive up the steep Pioneer Valley road to the village of Eungella has wonderful views back over the cane fields. There are rainforest walks, a café and accommodation at Broken River, and the Sky Window lookout at Eungella village.

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