Smalleys Beach in Cape Hillsborough National Park is the perfect tourist destination

Nature lovers have discovered a magical beach hidden in a stunning national park just outside a major Australian city. 

Travellers are flocking to Smalleys Beach in Cape Hillsborough National Park, which is only a 45-minute drive from central North Queensland hub Mackay.

Dubbed the ‘perfect Australian experience’, travellers will find wild kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise – and rangers are always around to make sure tourists are safe with the temperamental animals.

Lush rainforests meet the shore in Cape Hillsborough, and tourists can traverse through eucalyptus forests, which are home to koalas and kookaburras, and take in views of prehistoric rock formations.

Lucky visitors will also be able to spot whales and turtles during migration season from May to November.

Travellers are flocking to Smalleys Beach in Cape Hillsborough National Park, which is only a 45-minute drive from central North Queensland hub Mackay

Dubbed the ‘perfect Australian experience’, travellers will find wild kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise – and rangers are always around to make sure tourists are safe with the temperamental animals

Walking trails near Cape Hillsborough National Park 

Diversity Boardwalk

The walk takes travellers through Melaleuca woodland, a mangrove community, a eucalyptus forest, and vine thicket.

Andrews Point

This walk provides five scenic lookouts with views of the coastline and the Whitsunday Islands. It is the ideal walk to spot whales and turtles during migration season (May to November).

Beachcomber Cove

Travellers particularly flock to Beachcomber Cove in the wet season because of the freshwater springs that flow through the remnant rainforest. The trail also leads to Cascade Creek that forms a waterfall and a swimming hole.

Yuibera Plant Trail

An informative trail, the Yuibera track highlights the plant food in the area and loops around through the rainforest.

Tourists are warned to beware of dangerous sea creatures on the beach, including crocodiles and various marine stingers

Smalleys Beach is close to several walking tracks around the area, and visitors are also welcome to camp on-site.

According to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, six species of kangaroos and wallabies are found in the park, including eastern grey kangaroos, agile wallabies, whiptail wallabies, unadorned rock-wallabies and swamp wallabies.

The park is a significant refuge for these species as other habitats in the area have been cleared.

Tourists are warned to beware of dangerous sea creatures on the beach, including crocodiles and various marine stingers.

Smalleys Beach is close to several walking tracks around the area, and visitors are also welcome to camp on-site

Lush rainforests meet the shore in Cape Hillsborough, and tourists can traverse through eucalyptus forests, which are home to koalas and kookaburras, and take in views of prehistoric rock formations

Visitors have been obsessing over the perfect Aussie experience, with many vowing to go back after a ‘life-changing’ visit

Visitors have been obsessing over the perfect Aussie experience, with many vowing to go back after a ‘life-changing’ visit.

‘This was the most amazing experience!’ a traveller said. ‘I highly recommend, it’s so beautiful out there.’

‘If you want to see the kangaroos and wallabies, you have to try and get there before the sun comes up! As soon as the sun is up they start hopping away,’ another advised.  

‘I love hanging out with the locals at Cape Hillsborough,’ another wrote.

‘The hikes there are amazing, there’s nothing like it. It’s my favourite place on the easy coast,’ a woman wrote.