Where the hell is Finch Hatton?
A history of sugar and a future of mountain biking.
Nestled within Queensland’s Pioneer Valley, Finch Hatton stands as a testament to the evolution of industry and recreation in Australia. Named after Harold Heneage Finch-Hatton, an English aristocrat of the mid-1800s, the town has historically thrived on the production of sugar, with the now-dismantled Cattle Creek Sugar Mill serving as a central economic force from 1906 until its closure in 1990. As the sugar industry waned, the region faced challenges, but now, the town’s narrative is taking an exciting turn with the introduction of Finch Hatton MTB as a key feature of its natural landscape.
All that is left of the Cattle Creek Sugar Mill is the administration building which has been beautifully restored to now be the Finch Hatton MTB admin building.
Finch Hatton, approximately 65 km from Mackay, presents a picturesque setting for mountain biking. Finch Hatton MTB will showcase the area’s natural splendour, from its open scrublands adorned with white gum trees to its rolling hills and gullies.
Finch Hatton’s proximity to Eungella, known for its cloud rainforest and diverse wildlife, including platypuses, further enriches the experience. The hero trail will commence from the Eungella Chalet, cascading down ridges and through national parkland, culminating above Finch Hatton, promising a ride filled with natural beauty and a variety of ecosystems to explore.
Still not sure where Finch Hatton is?
How about less than 2hr drive from Airlie Beach, meaning it is possible to be mountain biking the slopes of Finch Hatton in the morning and then sailing around the Whitsunday Islands in the afternoon (albeit a big day) – how cool would that be!
More than 70 flights touch down at Mackay Airport each week with services from all the major players. Car hire is available at the airport for your trek to Finch Hatton. Finch Hatton is a short 55 min drive from Mackay central. With plenty of parking at the Trailhead for cars and trailers and a wash down station to keep your pride and joy gleaming.
The trails promise to be more than just pathways for bikes; they’re envisioned as lifelines for a community looking to reinvent itself while honouring its heritage.
So fly into the Mackay Airport, jump in your car for an epic road trip or jump on your bike for a real adventure, and head on up to Finch Hatton for a sugar rush of its own kind.