Off the Trails and Into Adventure
A POV from Jacko And The Fam at Finch Hatton
After months of promising the boys a proper mountain biking trip, we finally made it happen this long weekend and let me tell you, Finch Hatton MTB did not disappoint. We spent the morning smashing out laps on the green and blue trails, having an absolute blast carving through the rainforest. But with two energetic kids and a whole weekend ahead of us, we knew we couldn’t just stop at the bikes – we needed some more adventures. Luckily, around Finch Hatton, there’s no shortage of epic spots to explore.
Here’s how we kept the good times rolling, all just a stone’s throw from Finch Hatton Mountain Biking.
First Stop: Finch Hatton Gorge (5 minutes from Finch Hatton MTB)
Just five minutes from Finch Hatton MTB, Finch Hatton Gorge is the ultimate post-ride cool-down. We kicked things off at Araluen Cascades—a short, easy rainforest walk (even the kids were on board!) led us to a series of stunning natural rock pools surrounded by huge granite boulders and crystal-clear water. The boys couldn’t get enough of jumping in and exploring, and even my wife (who’s usually not a fan of cold water) ended up swimming! It felt like we’d stumbled into a secret jungle hideout.
Since we were already there, we decided to explore a bit further into the Gorge. There are walking tracks for all levels winding through lush rainforest, and while we didn’t tackle the full Wheel of Fire Walk this time, even the shorter trails were packed with waterfalls, massive trees, and plenty of sticks for the boys to collect (essential hiking gear, obviously). Every step felt like a new adventure.
Chasing sunsets at Eungella Dam (about 40 minutes from Finch Hatton MTB)
After a chill lunch back in Finch Hatton (great pies, by the way), we decided to go a bit further afield in the afternoon. Eungella Dam is about a 40-minute drive from the MTB park, but absolutely worth it. We went swimming, watched some locals fishing, and capped it all off with one of the best sunsets I’ve seen.
Watching the sky explode into oranges and pinks over the still water was one of those moments you know you’ll talk about for years.
Platypus spotting at Broken River (30 minutes from Finch Hatton MTB)
Next morning, we were up early for one of the coolest things we’ve ever done – platypus spotting at Broken River, about 30 minutes’ drive from Finch Hatton MTB. We didn’t have to wait long… within ten minutes, we saw our first little guy cruising along the surface. It was quiet, peaceful, and the boys were glued to the water, whispering excitedly every time they spotted bubbles or a ripple.
Before we packed up for home, we squeezed in a quick visit to Sky Window Lookout. It’s super close and easy to access. Short walk, and then panoramic views over the whole Pioneer Valley. It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip, standing up there with the family, looking out over everything we’d explored.
Final thoughts
Finch Hatton MTB gave us the adrenaline hit we were chasing, but the adventures around it made the weekend something seriously special. From waterfall swims to wild platypus spotting, there’s no shortage of off-the-beaten-track fun for families.
Honestly, I reckon we’ve only scratched the surface and we’ll definitely be back to find out what else this part of the Mackay Isaac Region is hiding. 🤘