Kangaroos on the Beach at Cape Hillsborough, Australia

A pristine beach, the sun rising and wild kangaroos, what more can you ask for in Australia? In my view it’s definitely worth seeing the kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough in Queensland.

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For anyone planning a trip along the East Coast of Australia, the idea of seeing kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough is something that would, and probably should, be on every visitors bucket list. Whether it’s as idyllic as you picture in your mind is something we’ll come on to but now that we’ve done it, seeing Australia’s most famous marsupial on the beach at sunrise was an experience that we’ll remember forever.

This activity however is quite controversial with some either saying it was one of the best things they’d done in Australia whilst others leaving very disappointed. Let’s talk about that after giving you an overview first.

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HOW TO SEE THE KANGAROOS ON THE BEACH AT CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

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Cape Hillsborough is situated on the east coast of Australia in Queensland less than 50km north of Mackay and around 125km south of Airlie Beach. Many travellers will pass Cape Hillsborough entirely choosing to get to Airlie Beach sooner rather than later to experience one of the (almost certainly) best things to do in Australia; sailing the Whitsunday Islands. For those that are in charge of their own trip, those of us who are on a slow road trip from Sydney to Cairns (or vice versa), I would say that Cape Hillsborough is definitely worth a short stop.

This area of Queensland is absolutely stunning; think eucalyptus forests, clear blue ocean and tropical weather. Given that Cape Hillsborough National Park is a little off the main A1 road and that there is a ‘do not miss’ experience so close, this area can be quieter and therefore extremely peaceful. Perfect for a relaxing walk along the beach or through the rainforest. Remember however that this is crocodile territory so swimming is not advised!

To see the famed kangaroos that arrive for their breakfast at dawn, you’ll need to head to Casuarina Beach in Cape Hillsborough National Park and the tourist/caravan park of the same name. Each and every morning you can expect to see a small number of kangaroos and wallabies come onto the beach for their feed of seedpods and seaweed.

I can’t quite remember where we stayed the night before in the campervan (probably some non-descript side-of-the-road free camp) but we woke at 5am, drove whilst it was still pitch black and arrived before the other tourists had wandered down from the campsite. I can imagine it would have been much easier to pay for a pitch at the campsite ($42 for one night with power) but every dollar saved meant we could travel that little bit further.

Whilst we had experienced the whole kangaroo/human relationship at many campsites across Australia, we had hoped for a slightly more ‘natural’ experience at Cape Hillsborough. That wasn’t what we got though and this is probably why many people do leave disappointed.

The kangaroos in this region probably did feed from the beach but now the situation is entirely ‘man-made’ including the placement of cones around the beach from which the kangaroo’s breakfast is served. Some of the visitors, the two kangaroos we saw, were hand-reared too by the tourist park so please don’t expect the most natural experience.

When we visited, the sun forgot to turn it’s rise on so we were met with a dull cloudy brightening that could easily have been mistaken for the east coast of England if it weren’t for the kangaroos and wallabies hopping around. That said, it did still make for cool and one of a kind photo opportunities that I made sure I took full advantage of. For the photographers out there, I found that my telephoto lens (Fujifilm 55-200mm) worked best so that I didn’t get too close to the wildlife.

Unfortunately, even in this remote part of Australia, you couldn’t escape the tourists who would do anything for a selfie with a kangaroo. The tourists definitely outnumbered the wildlife that decided to join us that morning so, with not wanting to outstay our welcome, we left after not too long and headed onwards to Airlie Beach.

I told you that I would explain why many people leave seeing the kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough disappointed but, if you have time to spare and go in fully prepared, then I would say definitely visit Cape Hillsborough and I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

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WHERE NEXT?

Ok, let’s be honest, it’s taken me long enough to find the time to publish guides covering my time in Australia. Now though, the majority of them are linked below, so wherever you’re heading you’re likely to find what you need below!

VISITING PEAK HILL GOLD MINE IN NEW SOUTH WALES
HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN CANBERRA
7 BRILLIANT THINGS TO DO IN YOUNG, NEW SOUTH WALES
5 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO DO IN RAINBOW BEACH, QUEENSLAND
6 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN BOWEN, QUEENSLAND
8 BEST THINGS TO DO IN KIAMA, NEW SOUTH WALES
AN EPIC ROAD TRIP ALONG WATERFALL WAY IN NEW SOUTH WALES
MY INCREDIBLE 5 DAY GOLD COAST ITINERARY
7 GREAT THINGS TO DO ON MAGNETIC ISLAND, QUEENSLAND
7 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN TOWNSVILLE, QUEENSLAND
THE MOST BREATHTAKING THINGS TO DO AT ULURU
THE MOST WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN NOOSA, QUEENSLAND
8 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN JERVIS BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES
40 INCREDIBLE PHOTO SPOTS IN MELBOURNE
A GUIDE TO VISITING THE DEVIL’S MARBLES IN AUSTRALIA
A GUIDE TO THE GOLD COAST HINTERLAND
9 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN BYRON BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES
WHERE TO FIND WILD CASSOWARIES IN AUSTRALIA
7 THINGS TO DO IN COWRA, NEW SOUTH WALES
FEEDING WILD DOLPHINS AT TIN CAN BAY
A RIDE ABOARD THE KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY IN CAIRNS
A VISITOR’S GUIDE TO PORT STEPHENS IN NEW SOUTH WALES
MY GUIDE TO EXPLORING MOSSMAN GORGE, QUEENSLAND
WALLAMAN FALLS, QUEENSLAND: THE TALLEST WATERFALL IN AUSTRALIA
THE MOST IMPRESSIVE WATERFALLS IN AUSTRALIA
16 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO DO IN SYDNEY
A WEEKEND IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

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