Cape Hillsborough Beach is the Cape Hillsborough National Park sunrise beach near Mackay, where Cape Hillsborough kangaroos and wallabies come onto the sand at first light. Stay for Cape Hillsborough camping at Smalleys Beach or the nature tourist park, then walk the headland tracks after the wildlife has left.

🦘 Why Visit Cape Hillsborough Beach?

Cape Hillsborough Beach is the Cape Hillsborough National Park sunrise beach 50 km north-west of Mackay, where Cape Hillsborough kangaroos and wallabies come onto the sand at first light. Come for that Cape Hillsborough sunrise, walk the headland tracks, then use Cape Hillsborough camping at Smalleys Beach or the nature tourist park if you want to be on the sand before dawn.

🥾Cape Hillsborough Kangaroos and Things To Do

🌅 Sunrise wildlife — Eastern grey kangaroos and agile wallabies on the sand at first light.
📷 Photography — Long lens from the upper beach. No flash, no selfies on top of the animals.
🥾 Park walks — Diversity Boardwalk, Andrews Point track, Beachcomber Cove and the Yuwi plant trail.
🧺 Picnic — Shade, tables and electric barbecues at the day-use area.
🏕️ Stay — Smalleys Beach for park camping, or the Nature Tourist Park for the closest sunrise access.
🪨 Low tide — Rock pools, sand patterns and the Wedge Island causeway when the tide is out.
🚤 Boat launch — Council launching area at the southern end of the day-use beach.

🌅 Cape Hillsborough Sunrise and Kangaroos

🦘 What you see — Eastern grey kangaroos and agile wallabies feeding on mangrove pods and wrack.
⏰ When — 30 to 60 minutes either side of sunrise. Low tide is the better window.
📍 Where — The main beach at the day-use area and tourist park end.
📷 Rules — Stay back. No feeding, no touching, no flash, no drones.
🌅 Missed sunrise — They are sometimes back on the sand at sunset if the tide is out.
🐋 Offshore — Humpbacks can be seen June to November from the headland lookouts.

🌳Cape Hillsborough National Park Walks

🪵 Diversity Boardwalk — 1.2 km return, about 40 minutes, Grade 2. Mangroves to vine thicket.
🥾 Andrews Point track — 5.2 km return on the track, or 2.8 km return via the beach at low tide. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours. Grade 3. Starts 300 m east of the boat ramp. Lookouts include Twin Beach and Diwaia.
🏝️ Wedge Island — Low-tide causeway only from Andrews Point. Check Mackay tides before you cross and do not get cut off.
🌊 Beachcomber Cove track — 2.2 km return, 1.5 to 2 hours, Grade 3. Ridge views down to a separate cove.
🌿 Yuwi plant trail — Starts from the day-use area. Plants and cultural use on Yuwi Country.

⛺ Cape Hillsborough Camping

🏕️ Smalleys Beach — The only QPWS camp. 10 numbered sites, 2WD gravel road, tents through caravans. Non-flush toilets and drinking water. No showers, no generators, no dogs.
📋 Permit — Book on parks.qld.gov.au. Be on site within 24 hours of the 2pm start. Max 14 nights. Pack out all rubbish. Fires in the rings only, never on the beach.
🚐 Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park — Powered sites, cabins and the closest bed for sunrise. This is not the national park camp.
🚫 No free beach camping — Not on the sand and not along Risley Parade.

🐶  Dogs at Cape Hillsborough Beach

🚫 National park — Dogs and all domestic animals are banned on the beach, in the day-use area, on the walks and at Smalleys Beach.
🚫 Tourist park — Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park does not take pets.
⚠️ Do not leave the dog in the car while you watch sunrise. There is no on-site dog stay here.
🏕️ Nearest camp with a dog — Seaforth, about 10 km. Confirm current pet rules with Mackay Regional Council before you book.
🐕 Nearest dog beach — Bucasia Beach, Williams Avenue to Symons Avenue, 5am to 8am and 5pm to 8pm only.

🛠️ Cape Hillsborough Beach Facilities

🌳 Day-use area — Shade, picnic tables and electric barbecues at the end of Risley Parade.
🚻 Toilets and water — At the day-use area. Smalleys has non-flush toilets only.
🅿️ Parking — Free at the day-use area. 2.3 km from the park entrance, sealed.
🚤 Boat launch — Southern end of the day-use beach, Mackay Regional Council.
🥾 Walk starts — Andrews Point, Beachcomber Cove and the Yuwi plant trail from this foreshore. Diversity Boardwalk is back toward the entrance.

🗺️ Getting There

🚗 Drive — 50 km, about 40 to 50 minutes north-west of Mackay via Seaforth Road then Cape Hillsborough Road.
📍 Day-use — End of Risley Parade.
🛣️ Road — Sealed to the beach. Fine for cars and caravans.
🏕️ Smalleys Beach — Signposted gravel turn-off about 6 km along Cape Hillsborough Road, then 1.5 km. 2WD.
💡 Check parks.qld.gov.au alerts before you go.

💡 Local Tips

⏰ Set the alarm — The animals are usually leaving once the sun is up.
🌊 Check the tide — Low tide for Wedge Island and the beach return on Andrews Point. High tide if you want any water time.
🚫 Do not feed — QPWS says feeding makes animals sick and aggressive.
🦟 Sandflies — Take repellent. They are part of this foreshore.
☕ Food — Tourist park kiosk or a picnic at the day-use tables. There is no cafe strip on the sand.

📍Nearby Attractions

🌳🏕️ Smalleys Beach — Quieter park camp inside the same national park.
🏖️ Seaforth — About 10 km. Small town beach and supplies.
🏝️ Ball Bay and Halliday Bay — Short drive north along the Hibiscus Coast.
🏙️ Mackay — 50 km. Bluewater Lagoon, marina tours and shops.
🪸 Great Barrier Reef Tours access — Boat ramp on-site for private boats; commercial reef and island day tours depart from Mackay Marina

📅 Events & Markets Nearby

🛍️ Mackay Riverside Markets — Thursdays.
🌿 Greater Whitsunday Farmers Market — Wednesdays.
🍯 Mackay Showgrounds Markets — Most Saturdays.
🎶 Mackay Festival of Arts — July.

For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Mackay Attractions | Best Things to Do Near Mackay Beaches

🏕️Accommodation Near Cape Hillsborough Beach

🚐 Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park — Closest stay for sunrise.
🏕️ Smalleys Beach — Booked QPWS camp only.
🏨 Mackay or Seaforth — Use these if the park and camp are full. They are a pre-dawn drive.

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🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

Cape Hillsborough Beach offers a tranquil setting surrounded by rainforest and wildlife, with limited dining options nearby. Visitors can enjoy meals at the Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park café or bring their own picnic to enjoy by the beach while watching the wallabies at sunrise — then share your favourite food and drink experiences below!

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🧭Plan Your Trip to Cape Hillsborough Beach

Arrive in the dark for the Cape Hillsborough sunrise. Watch the kangaroos, then walk Andrews Point or the Diversity Boardwalk after they leave. Book Smalleys Beach or the Nature Tourist Park if you want to stay. Leave the dog at home.

💬 Share Your Cape Hillsborough Beach Photos & Reviews

📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Mackay Region! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover the pristine coastline, tropical islands, and hidden gems that make Mackay so special.

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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Discover more of the Mackay Region:
Eimeo Beach ➜ | Blacks Beach ➜ | Shoal Point ➜ | Bucasia Beach ➜

🌊 About This Beach Directory

🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.

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