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mackay: general info
· city links
· history
· scuba diving
· things to do
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Name: Cape Hillsborough
City, State: Queensland Australia
What's it like?
This grand headland juts out into the Coral Sea north of Mackay.
Its tall, rocky hills, spectacular walking tracks and wide, sandy bay are the
stuff holiday memories are made of. Kangaroos hop around the beachfront camp ground,
seemingly unconcerned by any nearby visitors.
Location
Drive about 20km north of Mackay on the Bruce Highway (Highway One) and turn right onto the Seaforth Road (right next to The Leap hotel). Follow this picturesque road until you see the Cape Hillsborough turn-off to the right.
Bushwalks
A newly opened interpretive mangrove boardwalk at the entrance to the cape meanders through rainforest, open scrub and mangroves. Signs offer explanations as to how the local indigenous people used the land and showcase an Aboriginal shell midden. The cape's other walking tracks leave from the South-Eastern end of the cape's beautiful beach. The Beachcomber and Andrews Point tracks (1.6km and 2.6km respectively) wind up through the hills overlooking the Coral Sea and distant islands. They pass through semi-rainforest and open forest. The Andrews Point walk has six lookouts that look north, south and out to sea. At the end of the Andrews Point walk you'll come out upon the shore and, at low tide, you can walk out to Wedge Island or back along the coastline to the main beach. Behind the main beach in Hidden Valley (accessed by a 1km dirt road) lies the Juipera plant trail (1.2km). This self-guide trail highlights food consumed by the Juipera Aboriginal people.
Special flora and fauna
Cape Hillsborough is a nature-lover's dream. Kangaroos, possums and scrub turkeys wander about the area while other species of birds can be seen. Sand bubbler crabs leave intricate patterns in the sand on the beach. It's also possible to spot a sea turtle paddling in the ocean while walking over to Andrews Point. Flora growth is a vivid mix of contrasts. There's cool, shaded semi-rainforest ferns and vines, open eucalypt forests, open grass land and strands of tall hoop pines all growing along the gullies and rocky outcrops of this visually stunning area.
Things to do
Cape Hillsborough is a bush-walking, camping and wildlife-lover's paradise with a spot of beach fishing thrown in. A must-see is the interpretive mangrove boardwalk and the trail to Andrew Point.
Accommodation
There is a council-run non-powered camp area right on the beachfront. Nearby is the Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort with its kiosk, beach cabins, huts, motel units and powered and unpowered camping and caravan sites. The nearby Beaches of Smalleys, Ball and Halliday also provide camping sites. Accommodation can also be found at the Halliday Bay Resort and the Eagle Nest Farm Bed and Breakfast in the Seaforth hinterland.
If you know of a great destination we're missing,
review it for us!!
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