Platypus Bush Camp – The Itinerary

G’day Mick here, I’ve been staying at Platypus Bush Camp just out of Mackay on the edges of Eungella National Park and so I have written the Platypus Bush Camp – The Itinerary. Old Shano, the bloke who runs this place has asked me to write up an itinerary for a stay. 

Our stays at Platypus Bush Camp campground

This is the second time we have stayed at Platypus Bush Camp this year (2024). The first time we turned up for one night and stayed eight. This time we pulled up for two nights, I think we are on our tenth night and don’t plan on leaving for a few more at least.

The one thing we have noticed chatting to people who come through is that almost everyone checks in for one night on the way to somewhere (they think is) special. What they don’t realise is that this is one of those special spots and to stay only one night is a big mistake. One most people realise when they wake up the next morning. That said, many people, like us, decide to stay longer and throw Shanes booking system into disarray. 

Now I think of it. I had better be careful what I write otherwise the next time we turn up we may only get a single night stay before being pushed out.

Single-night itinerary for Platypus Bush Camp and Eungella National Park

Given more than half of the people who come through here check-in for one night, I begrudgingly propose a single-night itinerary for Platypus Bush Camp. But, let it be known the first mistake was planning only one night here.

You have probably just driven in from Townsville, Bowen or Airley Beach to the north, or Town of 1770, Gladstone or Rockhampton to the south. If you were smart enough to land here early in the day, then you have enough time to set up camp and slip off in the late afternoon to see the platypus at the Best Place In Queensland, Australia to see the Platypus. Follow the link below to learn how to get from Platypus Bush Camp up to Broken Creek where you have the best chances of seeing a platypus. 

Best Place In Queensland, Australia to see the Platypus and how to get there.

So, you have now been up and seen the platypus, picked up the photographic evidence and are on your way back to Platypus Bush Camp. Back at camp, throw a snag on the BBQ and settle in around the communal campfire. You are now qualified to tell the other travellers about your harrowing tale creeping through the jungle on the hunt for the elusive platypus and how, just as you were about to give up, he popped up right next to the river bank and put on a show, just before disappearing off into the darkness.

After a few drinks with the other campers, you can slip off to bed and listen to the creek tumbling its way to the ocean and dream about what you could have done if only you stayed at least one more night.

Next morning….go go go… your are probably on your way to an overpopulated tourist destination on the coast somewhere. But before you go, take a walk up to Finch Hatton Gorge. Basically, all you have to do is walk out of Platypus Bush Camp, turn right, and walk about fifteen minutes along the dirt road, through a creek or two and you will arrive at the National Park boarder. 

From the National Park boarder there is only one track, which after another fifteen minute hike, comes to a T intersection. The fun path, to the right, goes across the river at Callistemon Crossing and up to the Wheel of Fire. You’re not allowed to go that way because you don’t have enough time. (consider booking another night at Platypus Bush Camp before leaving). Your destination is too the left, Araluen Cascades, nonetheless a nice and easy walk down to another great swimming hole.

See map of Finch Hatton Gorge section, Eungella National Park here

After a quick dip and a couple of piccies its back to your car and off to another part of Queensland. Now, if that all sounds a little too rushed, it is! Let’s consider the two night itinerary.

Two night itinerary for Platypus Bush Camp and Eungella National Park

Two nights at Platypus Bush Camp is what I consider the bare minimum. 

As you arrive in Platypus Bush Camp after a long drive you deserve a break. After setting up camp spend a little time exploring the campground. To the north, past the communal fire pit is a little track towards platypus beach. The platypus is regularly spotted here but you are far from guaranteed to see one. I have never seen one there but others have. You may even want to take a picnic blanket, some bickies and cheese, a glass of wine and sit for a little while.

Returning back to the communal fire pit you may find those one night itinerary people rushing around, excited about their Broken Creek platypus sighting, looking a little ragged and tired after driving all day, rushing up to Broken Creek and rushing back to camp.

Alternatively, head south past the Platypus Bush Camp office where the second camp kitchen, hammocks and, what I have claimed as my own little co-working site is located. Just past my co-working site is the swimming hole. I have seen a platypus here, but you are far from guaranteed a sighting. At the swimming hole is an intersection between a small creek running out of the forest and a larger creek running down from Finch Hatton Gorge. The smaller creek is about 5 degrees Celsius warmer than the Finch Hatton Gorge creek which runs down from the mountains. Please be careful in any of these creeks there are slippery rocks everywhere. I broke me tow there and I think I have broken three in these sorts of creeks.

If it is not raining, remember this is the RAINforest, then you can set up around the communal campfire, and impress everyone with your camp oven damper making skills before relaxing back into bed and listening to the creek babbling by.

Tomorrow morning the day is yours. If you want to relax around the camp site, great, but if you want to see a bit more you can head up to Finch Hatton Gorge.

Walk out of Platypus Bush Camp turn right and walk about fifteen minutes along the dirt road, through a creek or two and you will arrive at the National Park boarder. 

From the National Park boarder there is only one track which after another fifteen minutes comes to a T intersection. The fun path to the right goes across the river at Callistemon Crossing and up to the Wheel of Fire. Because you have the whole day you get to take the fun path. Head up to Wheel of Fire first, because it takes a little more effort. On your way back when you get to the intersection you can continue onto, Araluen Cascades, which is an easy walk down to another great swimming hole. Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable with a more strenuous walk you can skip the Wheel of Fire (not a recommendation) and spend a little more time around camp.

See map of Finch Hatton Gorge section, Eungella National Park here

With only two nights, when you arrive back at camp your day is still not over. Your going to have to jump in the car and hook it up to Broken Creek. Broken Creek is the Best Place In Queensland, Australia to see the Platypus. Follow the link below to learn how to get from Platypus Bush Campup to Broken Creek where you have the best chance of seeing a wild platypus anywhere in the country. See:

Best Place In Queensland, Australia to see the Platypus and how to get there.

Returning to camp that night you begin to realise you should have checked in for a third night so you could have a relaxing day around camp tomorrow instead of rushing off to the next destination. But the day is not over, having smashed your body running around all day, you still get one more great experience. A scorching hot shower in the rainforest. Man, I love these showers. We are trying to get Shane to fill the entire shower with orchids. He has started and next time we come back we will bring him more. So, feel free to drop off any un-loved orchids you may have.

The next morning, there is no rush, you can get up, cook breakfast and get in a swim at the swimming hole. Don’t have a big breakfast! You will want to have an early lunch at the Pinnacle Hotel. I reckon, this is home to one of the best pepper pies I have ever had. They are big hearty and if you like are served with chips and gravy. As you are driving though, you may want to reduce that carb intake a bit and just go for the pie. Trust me they are big enough.

Ha Ha look – I just found someone who did a review on these pies. Check it out here.

In case that link disappears here is a link to the Pinnacle Family Hotel Facebook page. They will also run a courtesy bus from Platypus Bush Camp return, so you can get on it.

Three night itinerary for Platypus Bush Camp and Eungella National Park

Righto, so you checked in for three nights. This is what I say should be the standard stay. It gives you enough time to see the sights and enough time to actually stop and enjoy what is probably one of the best campgrounds in Australia. Now, I’m not about to repeat myself! Because its Sunday and I want to go back to reading my book. So you’re going to have to scroll up and read the one and two day itinerary above. But basically, you now have enough time to:

● Lax back around Platypus Bush Camp and enjoy the campground, platypus beach and the swimming hole;

● Head up to the Best Place In Queensland, Australia to see the Platypus.

● Hike across Callistemon Crossing and up to the Wheel of Fire then back to Araluen Cascades in Finch Hatton Gorge section, Eungella National Park. 

● Have an awesome pie at the Pinnacle Family Hotel and maybe even a night on the grog.

● Get in three scorching hot showers in the rainforest.

● And slip away far far more relaxed then when you arrived.

Ok, I gotta run and hang out me wet sleeping bag, I fell asleep with the swag open last night and we have just captured the sunshine. I hope my little article here helps you enjoy your stay at Platypus Bush Camp, I hope you get to see the platypus and I hope to see you knocking around here (mainly because that means I am back again).

Written by Mick Barber. A self-professed advocate of Platypus Bush Camp. See Best Place In Queensland, Australia to see the Platypus, also written by Mick.

Best Place In Queensland, Australia to see the Platypus

Having travelled this country far and wide I don’t feel like I am going out on a limb here to say that the Best Place in Queensland, Australia to see a Platypus is Broken Creek at Eungella National Park. Broken Creek is about a thirty minute drive from Platypus Bush Camp. Head left out of the campground, down the road you came in through, across the big long bridge and then hook it right through Finch Hatton. Following that road you begin to wind up a steep windy road to the top of the escarpment.

At the top of the plateau, you follow the signs for another ten or fifteen minutes to Broken Creek, cross the small bridge and park just on the other side.

Note: if you are towing a van, you probably want to drop it off at Platypus Bush Camp before you head out. The road is steep and windy and there really isn’t much room to stop with a van when you get to Broken Creek anyway. 

Walking through the car park you follow a well established path to the Platypus viewing platform. At 4pm everyday, on the dot, a family of happy platypi swim out, in front of the platypus viewing platform and put on a well choreographed show for the visitors….. no of course they don’t.

The platypus viewing platform is not the Best Place in Queensland, Australia to see a Platypus.The trick is this.

Stepping off the platform there are some well trodden paths along the creek. Walk quietly along the creek and keep your eyes peeled on the water surface. The Platypus spends much of its time underwater digging around for something yummy to eat. It will resurface, take a breath, and dive back under. So, if you are looking at the surface of the water for a furry little duckbill platypus, you may walk right past one without even seeing it. 

Now that you are at the Best Place in Queensland, Australia to see a Platypus and quietly sneaking along the edge of Broken Creek, what you are looking for is bubbles floating up to the surface. Those bubbles indicate that there is a platypus working away under the water. The creeks have bubbles floating on the surface, this is not what your looking for. You are looking for bubbles emerging from beneath the water, a bit like a fart in a bath tub. 

Once you spy the bubbles stand back and keep an eye on which way they are moving and wait. Before long a platypus will surface maybe swim around a little, get its bearings and then duck back under to start hunting all over again. 

Righto, now you know the Best Place in Queensland, Australia to see a Platypus, and how to spot them, it just comes down to timing. 

Every time I have been to Broken Creek I have seen platypus. I have been there on three mornings and five afternoons. I saw them every morning and every afternoon. I have not seen them during the day. But other people have told me they saw ten and another thirteen sightings of a platypus during the day. But I’m sticking with the best times to see a platypus is first thing in the morning and just before dark.

So, if you want the best chances of seeing platypus, set up camp at Platypus Bush Camp, head up to Broken creek in the late afternoon and try your luck in the Best Place in Queensland, Australia to see a Platypus.

Written by Mick Barber. Mick has a bachelor’s degree in biology from James Cook University, Townsville and is a self-professed advocate of Platypus Bush Camp. See Platypus Bush Camp – The Itinerary, also written by Mick.