Finch Hatton Gorge – Everything you need to know
Finch Hatton Gorge is a stunning natural wonderland and a must-visit for any nature lover visiting Queensland, Australia.
Located in the Eungella National Park, the gorge has spectacular waterfalls, rainforest walks, volcanic boulder formations and swimming holes. So what are you waiting for?
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful spot.
Key Points
- Finch Hatton Gorge is a stunning natural wonderland located in the Eungella National Park, approximately 70km west of Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
- The best time to visit Finch Hatton Gorge is between May and October; however, the gorge is open all year round and each season has its unique beauty.
- There are many walking trails throughout the sub-tropical rainforest with two popular choices being 1.6-kilometre journey from the Finch Hatton picnic area to Araluen waterfall and Wheel of Fire Cascades which is 1.4 kilometres from Araluen waterfall.
- Both walks start from the same picnic area that has bathrooms and are free to visit. Araluen Falls is a great place to take a dip on a hot day if you’re feeling adventurous while The Wheel of Fire gets its name from how the water flows over the rocks appearing as if it’s on fire when hit by sunlight.
Where is Finch Hatton Gorge?
Address: Finch Hatton Gorge Road, Finch Hatton, Queensland 4756
Finch Hatton Gorge is located approximately 70km west of Mackay, the closest major city, making it a great day trip for those staying around the area.
The best way to get there is by car; simply follow the signs from Mackay onto Finch Hatton Gorge Road in Eungella National Park. Once you arrive at the car park, you will have at least two waterfall swimming areas to choose from, Wheel of Fire Cascades and Araluen waterfall, and we will talk about both in this blog post.
If you don’t have your own car, you can hire one here.
Best time to visit Finch Hatton Gorge
The walking tracks and swimming holes are open all year round, and no matter when you visit, Finch Hatton Gorge is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
The best time to visit Finch Hatton Gorge, in our opinion, is between May and October. This is when the weather is cooler, and the waterfalls are at their best. However, the gorge is open all year round, and each season has its unique beauty.
Finch Hatton Gorge popular walking tracks
If you’re looking for an adventure and a workout, there are many walking trails throughout the sub-tropical rainforest. A popular choice among visitors is the 1.6-kilometre journey from the Finch Hatton picnic area to the beautiful Araluen waterfall.
Wheel of Fire Cascades is another beautiful waterfall with a large rock pool at its base. It’s 1.4 kilometres from Araluen waterfall and popular for swimming.
Both of these start from the same picnic area, and you will find bathrooms there. They are free to visit.
We will talk about both in detail below:
Araluen waterfall in Finch Hatton Gorge
Araluen waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in Finch Hatton Gorge. The waterfall is just a short (1.4km) walk from the car park, making it accessible for all visitors.
The views from the top of the waterfall are incredible, and there are plenty of photo opportunities. Araluen Falls is a great place to take a dip on a hot day if you’re feeling adventurous. Just be sure to take caution, as the rocks can be slippery. The water will be cool and refreshing.
Please remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, water, and insect repellent.
Wheel of Fire at Finch Hatton Gorge
The Wheel of Fire is another popular attraction at Finch Hatton Gorge. You will have to walk a moderate to difficult 4.2 km return to the car park to get there.
The Wheel of Fire is a natural rock formation carved out by the force of the water over many years. It is located in the lower section of the gorge, near the swimming hole. To get to the Wheel of Fire, you need to go through a track that has a creek crossing and heaps of stairs.
The Wheel of Fire gets its name from how the water flows over the rocks. When the sun shines on the water, it looks like a wheel of fire.
Among the rainforest, you may glimpse some of its rarest inhabitants, such as the rare gastric brooding frog, orange-sided skink, Mackay tulip oak, Eungella spiny cray and Eungella honeyeater. Make sure to keep an eye out for the rare and unusual flora that can be found in this wonderful landscape.
Finch Hatton Gorge camping
There is no camping available in the park itself, but Finch Hatton and its surroundings have plenty of options. We will list some options below:
Finch Hatton Showgrounds
Finch Hatton showgrounds is an excellent place to camp if you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful spot close to nature. The grounds are located in a large area with plenty of room for camping and caravanning. Several amenities are also on-site, including toilets, hot showers, drinking water and power.
Powered and unpowered campsites are available, and tents are allowed, as well as camper trailers, motorhomes, caravans and big rigs.
Pets are allowed, and prices are currently $20 for unpowered sites and $25 for powered, based on two people.
Neem Hall
Look no further than Neem Hall at Finch Hatton, Queensland, for an affordable camping area with a beautiful river view. This beautiful camp spot backs onto a pristine little creek.
The creek is a great place to swim and splash around, and the campground also has a little animal farm. They have chickens, goats, geese, a turkey, and a friendly border collie!
This area is available for self-contained vehicles and can accommodate rigs of all sizes.
Neem Hall has a camp kitchen with a fridge, a table set and fire pits to help make your stay more comfortable. There are on-site toilets, hot showers, drinking water and power at additional cost.
Pets are allowed, and prices are currently $20 for unpowered sites and $25 for powered, based on two people.
ValleyView Camping
The views at this camp spot are stunning!
The campground offers immaculate facilities with toilets, hot showers, excellent grass cover on the ground, drinking water, and the perfect location to explore the gorge and its surrounds.
It is pet friendly and easily accessible to RVs, camper trailers and caravans. Camping in tents is allowed.
Prices are currently $10 per person.
