After visiting Airlie Beach we decided that we would head to the Platypus Bush Camp (close to Finch Hatton) -about 45mins out of Mackay, a large town on the coast. We find we need quiet, inland places after being surrounded by lots of people like ourselves!!!
Luckily we unhitched our van in the showgrounds of the charming place,Finch Hatton, a tiny, sugar-cane town at the foothills of the Eungella Range before heading to the Platypus Bush Camp. The showgrounds have place for caravans, cost $20.00 per night, have an abundance of manicured green lawns, loads of uncluttered space, very few caravans and magnificent mountain views. They are managed by a lovely man who acts as caretaker together with his dog, Maggie. It was also very interesting watching and hearing the loaded sugar-cane trains pass by.
Once unhitched we took a drive down to Platypus Bush Camp. We decided it was not for us, and besides we wouldn't have been able to negotiate the dips, stones and bends in the road with our caravan. It was on the way to the Finch Hatton Gorge in the rain forest. It also seemed to be occupied by some rather odd forest folk that inhabit the area - not that we mind odd forest folk!!
I had a chuckle at one of the folk climbing a ladder over her fence into her house as her gate was broken. I just missed getting a photo but got the ladder! We also couldn't believe seeing the house with a log through the middle. Chris chatted with the local historian of the town in the small museum and he explained that the whole community had offered to help the man remove the log but he had declined the offer. The town had been struck by a severe cyclone in March and a lot of property and trees were damaged. We loved the blue and purple house next door!
We drove up into the ranges twice as the first time we went we were too early for the platypuses. Instead we walked through the rain forest and had morning tea in a little cafe run by a weird woman who made some beautiful beaded animals in her gorgeous mountain style log house/cafe.
The small township of Eungella is right at the top of the mountain range and has the most magnificent views. The "home in the clouds" is exactly what it is. Close by is the Broken River where we saw the platypuses that I was determined to see. There are not many places left in Australia to see platypuses in the wild. The second time we went was closer to dusk and after waiting quietly by the side of Broken River we saw them! They are so delicate and sweet - far smaller than I ever imagined! It was a treat to see them swimming up and down the river with their beak shaped fronts. We absolutely loved the sight.
We stayed 4 days in a small piece of paradise!
