Hike Finch Hatton Gorge in Eungella National Park

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A hike in a great luscious forest in a gorge with two magnificent swimming holes. You won't resist jumping in the pool, so bring your swimmers!

Finch Hatton Gorge is located near the township of Finch Hatton. Coming from Mackay on the Mackay Eungella Road, turn right into Owen Creek Loop and then turn left into Gorge Road. Drive to the end of Gorge Road where there is a car park and where the walking trail starts. The car park, at the end of the road, has toilets and an information board.



Finch Hatton Gorge trail in a first moment runs parallel to Rawson's Creek and then Finch Hatton Creek. The trail branches off to Araluen Cascades turning left.



The Wheel of Fire Track is classified 4, length is about 4.1 km return, allow about one hour and a half. The trail presents uphill sections with more than 300 steps in a luscious rainforest. Araluen Cascades Trail is 2.8 km return from the car park, class 3, allow about one hour.

I hiked Finch Hatton Gorge with the Group Hiking South East Qld and More and I went first to the Wheel of Fire. The pool was amazing but the water was very cold. Despite that, a few people had a very refreshing swim. When I returned from the Wheel of Fire trail, I turned right to Araluen Cascades, where there is another great swimming hole.







Callistemon Crossing is a great place to see the creek running on the rocks. Do not attempt to cross the creek after heavy rainfall. The stream flows fast and the level of water rises fast, creating strong currents.





Continue walking on the Wheel of Fire trail until you arrive at the end of the track where there is a spectacular pool. The water is very cold, have a refreshing swim but please respect the warning signs.

Do not climb the waterfall, it can be very slippery. Too many lives have been lost at the cascades due to fatal falls.
Do not climb the rocks and supervise the children closely. Also, diving is prohibited.









The falls and rock pools are named after the Queensland Firewheel trees towering along the trail. In particular, in spring and in summer, the trees bloom red flowers, setting the place ablaze.





On the way back, turn right to Araluen Cascades. Here there is another magnificent swimming hole.





Retrace your steps back to the carpark.

What to bring

Hiking gear: a hiking medium backpack, long trousers and shirt with long sleeve, light raincoat, recommended hiking ankle supportive boots, first aid kit, insect repellent (give preference to cream or roll-on that are more environmentally friendly than the spray) hat, sunscreen, gloves, walking poles if you like to use them, socks protectors or gaiters.

Consider packing some extra clothes and leave them in the car. Pack swimming wear and a small towel if you intend to swim.

For this hike, consider carrying a map or download a good app on your smartphone that can help you to navigate in the bush.

Bring a medium day backpack with lots of water, especially if it's a hot day, 1.5 litres of water and snacks. During summer, you can bring electrolytes to dissolve in water to compensate for the loss through perspiration.

You may consider packing sandwiches, fresh fruit, dry fruit, energy bars and small meals.

Walk with family, friends or in a group. Never alone!

The days prior to the hike make sure to check:

Weather website www.bom.gov.au

National Park website
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/eungella

Road conditions https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au

Finch Hatton township

Once you have done the hike, head back to Finch Hatton township. Finch Hatton is a rural town locality in the Mackay Region, located in the valley of Cattle Creek, a tributary of the Pioneer River. Finch Hatton is a small sugar cane town, crisscrossed with a railway line for trains hauling bins of sugar cane to the sugar mill.
There is a General Store if you need supplies. The general store has groceries, produce and ice. Finch Hatton General Store is located in 7 Anzac Parade, Finch Hatton, in the gorgeous Pioneer Valley. Enjoy Wi-fi access, delicious coffee, fresh takeaway, including the "Bonza" burger, all-day weekend breakfast.

Business Hours General Store

Monday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Finch Hatton has several heritage-listed sites, including Finch Hatton War Memorial and Finch Hatton railway station.

Finch Hatton War Memorial was built in 1921 to honour 16 local men who fell in the First World War and then a later addition honours 7 men who fell in the Second World War.


Finch Hatton railway station is located off Mackay Eungella Road. It was built in 1904 as a part of the Pioneer Valley Line of the Mackay Region. The railway line is no longer in use - it stopped being functional circa 1990.









Today, the railway station building hosts a shop selling many different items.




Reference

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/eungella

www.facebook.com/FinchHattonStore

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