HOT AIR BALLOONS EUNGELLA

The Pioneer Valley, apart from being one of the richest sugar cane growing areas in Australia, is by far one of the most picturesque valleys in Australia. Travelling through this fertile valley, you will discover a community steeped in pioneering history. The Valley encompasses many quaint townships and Australia's largest continuous stretch of sub tropical rainforest Eungella National Park. Know as 'The Natural Way', the trip along Eungella road through the Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park is a unique destination with many varying attractions, activities and townships to view along the way.

Eungella Dam is 120 kilometres west of Mackay and is one of Queensland's more established freshwater fisheries. Eungella Dam was constructed in 1969 for irrigation and hydro-electric power, Eungella Dam holds 131 000 megalitres of water at an average depth of 14.7 metres and has a surface area of 890 hectares at full capacity. It is renowned for producing extra oversized Sooty Grunter and more recently Barramundi. The local stocking group, Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association stock the dam with Sooty Grunter, Saratoga, and Sleepy Cod Barramundi. The dam offers no boating restrictions, however no boat ramps are provided. Smaller boats can be launched at one of the designated areas. Camping is available with facilities such as cold showers, toilets, barbecues, picnic tables and playground provided. Camping permits can be obtained by contacting Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Accommodation is also available 25 kilometres away at the Broken River Mountain Retreat or a further 10 kilometres on at Eungella Chalet. A Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to fish at Eungella Dam.

95 kilometres west of Mackay lies Broken River an area which offers one of the best viewing platforms in Australia to spot the platypus in its natural environment. There is also an Information Centre at Broken River which provides visitors with maps and also has a small interpretive centre that highlights the lifecycle of the Platypus. Broken River is also access point to three of the nine walking trails in Eungella National Park being the Granite Bend Circuit 2.1 kilometres that extends from the Rainforest Discovery Walk and takes you deeper into the forest, Crediton Creek Trail 8.5 kilometres one way, a track for the physically fit, it forks from the rainforest discovery and follows Broken River upstream to Crediton Creek and finally the Wishing Pool Circuit 1.5 kilometres circuit, at the end of the Crediton Creek trail, a circuit track leads through rainforest past a waterhole in Broken River. Accommodation is also available at Broken River which includes camping, and self contained cabins. Self-registration camping is also for Broken River Campgrounds.

Eungella National Park's foothills endure tropical sun, but its mountain tops rise to a cool and often cloudy world where rainforest thrives. Here you can enjoy a short walk in the shade of giant trees and dense palms. The Pine Grove Circuit is part of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk. It is a fairly level circuit suitable for most visitors. Walk in the rainforest shade and catch glimpses of the Pioneer Valley through tall trees.