Araluen Falls

Araluen Falls (sometimes known as Araluen Cascade) is an attractive 10-15m waterfall spilling into a carved rock pool deep in the Finch-Hatton Gorge area near Mackay.

It shares the trail leading to the more impressive Wheel of Fire Falls, but access to that was closed when we were there in May 2008. It was kind of a bummer considering we had driven a long way to get here and were only left with the seeing only one of the two falls. Nonetheless, Julie and I were quite surprised at how popular the area was despite its relative remoteness.

From the car park, we took a walking track (I forgot its length) that took us a little over an hour to do round trip. It was fairly humid and warm in the Finch-Hatton Gorge and there was even the threat of thunderstorms. But the lush rainforest here totally contrasted the cultivated sugar cane fields dominating this part of Queensland.

We used this waterfall as an excuse to stretch our legs and get some fresh air to break up the long drive from Rockhampton to Airlie Beach.

From Rockhampton, we drove 300km north on the Bruce Hwy then exiting on the Homebush Rd exit (if you happen to miss it like we did, then there's a second Homebush Rd exit several minutes further north). Then follow Homebush Rd for about 10km and turn left onto Eton Rd following it for about 35km.

Then, turn left onto Eungella Rd where the road forks between Mt Ossa Rd and MacKay Rd. Take MacKay Rd on the left and follow it another 25km or so as the road then becomes Gorge Road.

Gorge Road continues another 8km or so, but it's in this stretch that the road becomes unpaved as it enters the rainforest. I recalled there were a couple of stream crossings (they should be doable by passenger car). I can easily envision this part of the road becoming impassable due to flood from heavy rains, but fortunately, that wasn't the case on our visit.

One more thing to note. There was a place at the Pinnacle Hotel that served some real delicious meat pies along the way to the Finch-Hatton Gorge.

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The car park for Araluen Falls. Notice how many cars were here!?!

Walking within the rainforest

Another look at the falls

Julie walking past some mossy boulders

Trail to the Wheel of Fire Falls closed (Bummer!)

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Fixated on the falls and plunge pool. Please excuse the crappy sound as that's Windows Movie Maker working its magic.

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TRIP REPORTS

• May 13, 2008

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