Top 4 Scenic Drives in the Mackay and Issac Region

Looking for something to do in the Mackay and Isaac Region? Now is a great time to take to the road and explore some of the fantastic destinations in the region.

Here at Ezy Vehicle Rentals, we’ve put together a list of our top 4 scenic drives in our beautiful region. Life is full of adventures, so start driving to enjoy them! 

If you’re flying to Mackay and Isaac Region and need a hire car then get in touch with us. The fleet at Ezy Vehicle Rentals is designed to address your every need, whether you need a simple sedan or a cruiser with four-wheel drive, we have it all. Plus we offer FREE airport pick-up and drop-off to Mackay Airport or Moranbah Airport upon request.

1 – Eungella National Park

Do you want to try freshwater scuba diving? Maybe mountain biking between the high eucalyptus trees? You can do this and more at Eungella National Park. It is also home to the Araluen Falls, Broken River- home of the iconic platypus, a magnificent subtropical rainforest with 22km of bush walking tracks. Eungella National Park is one of Queensland’s most ecologically diverse parks, a visit to Eungella is both an exciting adventure and an escape to tranquillity. Follow walking tracks ranging from 30 minute easy walks to half day and day walks and enjoy spectacular views down the Pioneer Valley, along with rainforest gullies and river pools. Enjoy a picnic at Broken River and then wander along the banks watching the platypus in the gently-flowing water. Camp overnight in a tranquil river-side camping area.

The drive inland to Eungella is a beautiful scenic drive with stunning views of the green surrounds of the Pioneer Valley. Mackay Eungella Road takes you past sugar mills and small country towns, fields of sugar cane surrounded by hills either side. The road eventually leads to winding climb up Clarke Range to the Eungella Township.

While you are there, why not drive and explore more of the Eungella and Mackay Highlands. View map. Drive through lush rainforest, farming communities to open woodland. Find out more about these great drives at Eungella.

DRIVE DISTANCE: Eungella National Park is approximately 80 km west of Mackay City

2 – Cape Hillsborough National Park

Cape Hillsborough National Park is located at the tip of a volcanic peninsula within the Central Mackay Coast Bioregion. Cape Hillsborough is where the rainforest meets the beach.

The first part of the drive to Cape Hillsborough National Park takes you along the Bruce Highway, then you take a turn down Yakapari-Seaforth Rd. This long country road will take you on a scenic journey past luscious cane fields, rustic cottages and farm machinery, creeks and a beautiful backdrop of mountains. A very enjoyable and relaxing drive. Next, take a right turn down Cape Hillsborough Rd where you’ll drive by a mangrove swamp. Here you can stop in at one of walking trials called the Diversity Boardwalk where you can wander through a Melaleuca woodland, a mangrove community, eucalypt open forest and vine thicket.

Keep on driving and you’ll reach the destination’s world famous attraction…. the beach, where you can see the friendly Agile Wallabies and Eastern Grey Kangaroos hopping around at sunrise. It’s certainly a picturesque moment, a must do for your bucket-list and well worth the early rise in the morning.

Here you can also venture through the rainforest along one of the many walking trails and admire the view at one of the many scenic lookouts. Along the Andrews Point track you can find Twin Beach Lookout and Turtle Lookout, this is the perfect location to spot turtles or whales (during migration season). Read more about the walking tracks here.

You can stay overnight camping, in cabins or beachhuts by the beach at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park, enjoy the serenity of the area, kick back and relax.

DRIVE DISTANCE: Cape Hillsborough National Park is located approximately 50 km north of Mackay City.

3 – Theresa Creek Dam

Drive through the historic town Clermont and admire the many magnificent old buildings including churches, an old style hotel and Railway Station. Read more about Clermont here. About 22 km south west of Clermont, you will discover an oasis in the outback… Theresa Creek Dam, one of the most idyllic camping spots in The Isaac Region. Here you can enjoy swimming, canoeing, water skiing, jet boating, and fishing… or just sit back and relax.

Theresa Creek Dam is well worth a visit, with a couple of toilet blocks, showers, shaded picnic tables, bins, BBQ’s, 6 x 6 camping shelters and plenty of spots to access the dam for land based anglers and red claw hunters. Red claw crayfish are the main target species in the dam however; you can also chase Barramundi, Golden Perch, Eel-Tailed Catfish, Sleepy Cod, Silver Perch and Bony Bream. So don’t forget to pack your fishing gear!

DRIVE DISTANCE: Theresa Creek Dam is located approximately 310km from Mackay City.

4 – The Peak Range Park

Travel along the Peak Downs Highway for panoramic views of the Peak Range. The Peak Range is a chain of prominent and picturesque mountains between Moranbah and Clermont and consists of various sharp peaks visible from a considerable distance across the flat country plains.

Many of the formations are popular climbing challenges for locals and visitors. Wolfang Peak, at 572 m is the most popular and takes about an hour to summit. You could spend hours on the mountain exploring the many cave systems there. Please note: there are no defined walking trails so it’s best it be prepared with Protective clothing , a First Aid Kit and enough water. Ensure someone knows where you’re going. A good level of fitness is required as it is quite steep with some loose rock, it can be challenging.

DRIVE DISTANCE: The Peak Range Park is located approximately 280 km from Mackay City.

You can find more things to do in the Mackay and Isaac region, including tourist attractions, local events, and great restaurant deals on the www.letsdosomething.com.au website/app, or visit www.mackayregion.com

Need a car? Hire one

If you are visiting the region, for those flying or taking the train, why not hire a car and discover these great scenic destinations for yourself? Ezy Vehicle Rentals have vehicles for hire, available at our branches in Mackay and Moranbah.

TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID SEDAN

TOYOTA COROLLA HATCH 2020

TOYOTA HIACE COMMUTER BUS