We thought we’d left the cane trains behind when we moved on to Finch Hatton Showgrounds to camp but the entry to the grounds was where the cane trucks unloaded into the cane trains. So there was still a lot of local activity.

I wondered how Finch Hatton got its name – it sounds so English – so this what I found out …

I was thinking it was going to be a lot more exciting than that! Apparently the brothers were from English aristocracy and were original settlers in the area as graziers and gold miners.

Our mission here was to find some platypus in the pristine creeks of Eungella (young – gull- ah) National Park. I have never been here before so whatever we do is a new experience for me.

We left the Showgrounds for the steep winding drive to Eungella with the fuel gauge hovering between a quarter full and empty- and no fuel available in Finch Hatton. Only 18kms – should be enough 😳🤞

We stopped at the Eungella Chalet to capture the amazing outlook down the valley. It was a very hazy morning but the views went on forever.

The platform you can see in the photo above is for launching hang gliders!

A short drive further on to Broken River took us to the rainforest with platypus viewing areas.

It wasn’t our day to see platypus today! We patiently waited, staring into the water but all we saw were turtles. The following photo is actually looking into water with the reflections from above.

Interesting fact: A baby platypus is called a puggle. That name is as cute as the babies themselves! 😍

Uh oh! Fuel gauge now showing empty! We turned off the aircon and coasted as much as we could down the steep winding road using the brakes instead of gears to slow us down around the hairpin bends. The yellow light came on and we held our breath for the drive through Finch Hatton to the first fuel station. Made it!

With a full tank we breathed a sigh of relief and drove back to camp. I do love a challenge! 🤣🤣🤣