Cape Hillsborough, Qld

Just north of Mackay, the Cape Hillsborough Resort Caravan Park is in a rainforest setting between towering outcrops. The beach is a wide arc of sand of several kilometres which begs to be explored. The grey sand shimmers with minerals and every inch patterned with the artwork of sand bubbler crabs. Wedge island at the southern end can be accessed at low tide. The high headlands are forested with hoop pines and pandanus.

On our first morning I bounced out of bed at 6:15 and ran onto the beach with camera in hand to find that the ‘show’ had already started. Each morning rangers encourage the kangaroos and wallabies onto the beach at dawn. There were half a dozen macropods on the beach and twenty people gathered around with cameras clicking. It is a sight not to be missed with the sun rising over the offshore islands, the tourists, and the ‘roos. Another day dawns in Queensland.