Mackay · Queensland · 2-day package
Hop off the bus in Mackay. Platypus in the rainforest, sunrise with wild wallabies, a wakeboard session — with your bed, brekkie and transfers all sorted.
Day one · Eungella National Park
Up into the clouds at Eungella — the longest stretch of subtropical rainforest in Australia and the single best place on Earth to see a platypus in the wild. Rainforest walks, waterfall swims and viewing platforms where the shy little legends actually show up.
Both nights · Mackay Adventure Lodge
Two nights at Mackay Adventure Lodge. Pool, free WiFi, shared kitchen, continental breakfast daily and hosts (that's us — Dan & Amanda) who actually live here and will point you at the good stuff. Sunset beers by the water are mandatory-ish.
Day two · 4:30am · Cape Hillsborough
Casuarina Beach, before the rest of Mackay is awake. Wallabies come down to the sand at first light to feed — and you're standing metres away as the sun lifts out of the Coral Sea behind them. One of Queensland's best-kept secrets, and we've been running it for years.
Tip: don't get caught out, there is no public transport to see the sunrise; this tour is the best way to get there from Mackay. Book ahead or you might miss out.
Day two · afternoon · Wake House Australia
A 90 minute session to learn how to wakeboard with the crew at Wake House Australia. One of only 7 wakeboarding parks in Australia and it's right at the hostel. Never ridden before? Don't let that stop you, the crew will have you up and moving. Boards, lifejackets and coaching included; bring the GoPro.
One booking · everything below
Tour
7-hour guided Eungella National Park rainforest & platypus tour, lunch included.
A$189 booked aloneTour
5-hour guided sunrise tour at Cape Hillsborough, breakfast included.
A$129 booked aloneActivity
90-minute wakeboarding session with boards, lifejackets and coaching.
Gear includedStay
Mackay Adventure Lodge — pool, kitchen, WiFi, continental breakfast daily, local hosts.
Both nights coveredTransfers
We grab you from the Greyhound / Premier stop in Mackay and drop you back for your next leg.
ComplimentaryThe lot
Two full days, two nights, all transport between everything above.
Book once · we sort the restTravelling the east coast?
Noosa / Agnes Waters → Mackay. Hop off, do the Sandy Hop, and we'll have you back on the bus to Airlie and the Whitsundays. Book the northbound option.
Airlie → Mackay. Same deal, opposite direction — two days of wallabies, platypus and wake time before you roll on to Noosa. Book the southbound option.
5.0 on Google (123 reviews) · 4.9 on Tripadvisor (175 reviews)
…here's what other travellers had to say.
"Looking for a hidden gem along the east coast? Look no further, Mackay adventure tours has you covered. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and full of passion for what she does. Driving through all the small towns in the area, jumping in a beautiful waterfall, waking up with Wallabies and ofcourse having a go at the wakeboarding park next to the lodge! Thank you all for this amazing experience 🥧"
"We absolutely loved our sandy hop tour, the adventure lodge feels like home and the beds are super comfortable. All of the staff are so friendly and welcoming. Our tour guide goes above and beyond to make the experience personalised… We couldn't recommend this trip enough we thought it was so good! And the pies are amazing!!!!!"
"Truly a hidden gem along the east coast! Our tour guide was such a sweetheart with a passion for nature. It might seem like a simple tour, but it has honestly been one of my favourites. All the surroundings were beautiful, and the tour was so well put together. No hassle, only fun 🩷"
"I did the Sandy Hop tour. It was very nice. The hostel alone was amazing. Very clean, and nice. The staff and tour guides were nice!"
"Super clean rooms and kitchen in lodge plus breakfast included. Our tour guide was fantastic — best guide we have had on our east coast travels and she took us to some amazing places in Mackay. Loved it!"
"We had the best time on our platypus day trip and the sunrise wallaby tour. Our tour guide was amazing… We also had an amazing stay at the lodge, Amanda made us feel really welcome and went above and beyond. Would highly highly recommend adding this as a stop to your trip!"
Limited seats each departure
Two days in Mackay you'll talk about for the rest of the trip — from A$519 per person, everything included.
Book the Sandy HopInstant confirmation via Rezdy · Free bus-station transfers · Dan & Amanda, Mackay Adventure