Eungella

 

Platypus Frogs

I visited the enchanting town of Eungella (pronounced young-ge-lah) located on the lands of the Wiri people and within a sub tropical rain-forest. Eungella is home to iconic endemic species such as the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus),  Euastacus eungella (Eungella spiny crayfish),  Eungella leaf-tailed gecko (Phyllurus nepthys), Orange-spotted forest-skink (Tumbunascincus luteilateralis), Eungella honeyeater Bolemoreus hindwoodi (Bolemoreus hindwoodi ), Eungella tinker frog (Taudactylus liemi), Eungella torrent frog or Eungella dayfrog (Taudactylus eungellensis) and Northern gastric-brooding frog (Rheobatrachus vitellinus). The Northern gastric brooding frog was one of two species of frog including the southern gastric brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus) that were the only frogs in the world that incubated their offspring in the stomach of the mother, they were also known to be called Platypus frogs. Sadly they are both believed to be extinct as not seen since the 1980's, however most nature lovers live in hope that they will be found again one day. Such as below in the street art featured in Fifth Lane Mackay.

Artwork by Kate Brunner

 

Land of the Clouds

Eungella is known as the land of the clouds and the Eungella Plateau rises to 1259m. Eungella lies within the Pioneer valley and is a protected national park. The platypus can be spotted regularly in the broken river along the platypus observation deck beside the Broken River visitor information centre.  Locals also raised $5000 AUD in 24 hours to get a fibre glass platypus called Pindi (meaning creek, flowing water in the local First Nations language) to be placed beside the Platypus Lodge Restuarant.  Boondaburra is the local First Nations word for platypus.  A lovely platypus mosaic is also featured on the ground beside the cafe outdoor seats, it was created by artist Christina Kent and local school children (2003). 

Pindi the Platypus

Plaque infortmation about Pindi the Platypus

Sign with information on Pindi the Platypus

Platypus Spotting

Platypus have been seen regularly around the Eungella National Park and can be viewed in the Broken River. I spotted on just along the walking track to the observation platform a short walk from the Broken River Information centre and Platypus lodge restaurant and cafe. 

Platypus I saw swimming in the Broken River

Broken River, where I spotted Platypus

Public art 

A selection of sculptures featuring local fauna that can be found in the area is along the path you walk to the observation deck to view platypuses. I'm unsure who the artist is.

Platypus Lodge Restaurant and Cafe

Unfortunately the cafe was closed when I went there but the style of the cafe is cute. It has a alpine cottage style as it is made out of timber. The cafe owner is also Austrian so the food at the cafe is half inspired by Swiss and Austrian cuisine such as the Yodel burger but also includes Australia favourite's too. Check out this link for more information on the cafe.

image sourced from Platypus Lodge restaurant and cafe website

Nature and scenic views

Forest Kingfisher

 

View of Pioneer Valley from Goodes Lookout Eungella

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of Pioneer valley from Eungella

Wooden carvings Eungella Chalet

Other platypus things

Platypus sign in main street of Eungella

Road trip artworks

I travelled from Mackay to Eungella with Mackay Whitsunday Buses a shuttle service I highly recommend them, check out their website here.  Along the journey I spotted some murals in small towns on the way to Eungella.  A beautiful mural is on the Pinnacle Family Hotel in Pinnacle Queensland located 64 kilometres west of Mackay.  The mural was painted by Gwada murals (@gwadamurals) and features local fauna and flora of the region. 

Monotremes, Melba and Marian

Also on the way to Eungella we passed through the town of Marian which is famous for being the town where Opera singer  Dame Nellie Melba married Charles Armstrong, the manager of the Marian Sugar Mill in 1882 and their original house is still there today. While driving through the town I spotted this lovely mural on a shelter beside the river I'm unsure who the artist is.  I plan to visit Marian again as there is a few more platypus murals within the town.

 Final Thoughts

Eungella is a wonderful place to relax in nature and spot a platypus. The scenic views and pleasant climate are a winning combination. There is also a dam proposed to be built within the Eungella area which will result in terrible effects to the community and the platypus to help out with saving Eungella visit this link.

 

 

 

 

Video Extras

Check out my video below for more extras from my visit.