Broken River

Broken River is a rainforest-fringed waterway in Eungella National Park, about 80 kilometres west of Mackay in Queensland. It is renowned as one of Australia's best places to observe wild platypus from dedicated viewing platforms. Flowing through dense subtropical rainforest of the Clarke Range, the river offers clear pools, walking tracks and picnic areas within the national park established in 1941.

Visitors can expect a tranquil subtropical rainforest setting along a clear, shallow river with dedicated platypus viewing platforms and boardwalks. The area includes a day-use picnic area, short rainforest walking tracks, and interpretive signs. The river is surrounded by dense forest and ferns, with opportunities to quietly observe platypus, turtles, eels and rainforest birds from the platforms, particularly at dawn and dusk.

Broken River lies within Eungella National Park, declared in 1941 to protect one of Queensland's largest continuous areas of subtropical rainforest on the Clarke Range. The park and river area have long been valued for conservation and as a refuge for endemic rainforest flora and fauna, including the platypus.

The Eungella area is part of the traditional Country of the Wirri people. The rainforest and waterways hold cultural importance and the name Eungella is commonly understood to mean 'land of the clouds'. The river is valued today for nature-based recreation and wildlife appreciation.