Yesterday the fleet headed inland on an all-day tour exploring the surrounding areas of Mackay. First stop was the picturesque Finch Hatton Gorge where participants enjoyed traditional Australian outback cuisine, hot cups of billy tea and toasted damper. Next the fleet headed further up the Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park with hopes of seeing the shy & reclusive Australian native platypus. Eungella is a beautiful stop and with a bit of luck everyone made a least one sighting of a platypus. Following Eungella and lunch at Eungella Chalet, with breath taking views down the Pioneer Valley, crews visited the historic Greenmount Homestead, once home of early settler and namesake for the region John Mackay.
Today marks the start of a free cruising period with the fleet departing Mackay and regrouping again in Darwin on Monday 25th of August. Along the way yachts will enjoy visiting the stunning Whitsunday Islands as they make their way north inside the Great Barrier Reef.
Mackay has been a very welcome base for participants over the last week, World ARC would like to thank Mackay Marina Village, Mackay Tourism and the Clarion Hotel for all their support of hospitality to the fleet.