Nature & Wildlife
Yongala Dive
Yongala Dive is a PADI Dive Resort offering a full range of Dive Courses, Dive Accommodation and Day Trips to one of the world's top dive sites- the historic S.S. Yongala Wreck. In 1911 it sank without trace in a tragic cyclonic event. All 122 people on board died and a legend was born. It would be another 50 years before the coral encrusted structure was found and today it is one of the world's most renowned dive sites and an adventure from start to finish. Departing daily from the sleepy village of Alva Beach, only 16 kilometres from Ayr and 90 minutes drive south of Townsville, Yongala Dive will take you on an unique adventure - premier diving with a maximum of 12 people, experienced dive staff and a beach launch - getting there is half the adventure!
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Alva (Lynch’s Beach)
Lynch's Beach at Alva, just a 15-minute drive from Ayr, is home to the popular Lynch's Beach. The township is dotted with both holiday homes and permanent residences, while Lynch's Beach is a short stroll over the sand dune. Upon entering the township, the Alva Lookout is on the right. Make sure you capture the essence of Alva's serene shores through the picturesque tourist frame at the Alva Lookout, perfect for an unforgettable photo. At low tide, Alva makes for excellent exploring with lots of small crabs, shells and birdlife. Outer sand bars create inshore lagoon areas, popular with kite surfers and paddleboarders on weekends. Fishing enthusiasts also flock to the beach, often showcasing their impressive catches. For a day at Alva, bring a picnic or barbecue lunch to enjoy at the numerous picnic shelters and barbecue areas. Kids can play on the half basketball court, playground or open grass areas. Alva Park also offers public toilets and showers. Four-wheel drive vehicles are permitted on the beach with access points at the causeway and Yongala Drive. Suitable vehicles can launch boats from the beach, while larger boats require tractors for launching. On weekends during summer, the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club volunteers patrol a section of the beach. Care needs to be taken if swimming due to changeable conditions, marine stingers and other marine life.
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Anzac Park, Ayr
Anzac Park is located near the CBD of Ayr. The all-abilities playground in Anzac Park features a variety of playground equipment and is fully fenced, making it a fantastic spot for children to burn off energy and get some fresh air after a car trip. Parents can relax and watch their kids have fun in a safe environment. The playground includes the Sway Fun Swing, which allows children in wheelchairs to join in the fun. This playground is designed to inspire and challenge children of all abilities and courage levels, featuring exciting equipment like the Custom Cliff Rider and the WeHopper. Anzac Park is also home to a stake park. There are also BBQ and picnic facilities for the whole family to enjoy, as well as public toilet facilities, drinking fountains and ample parking. At the top of Anzac Park, the Ayr War Memorial takes pride of place. It commemorates those who died in service in various theatres of war including the First and Second World Wars, and Korean and Vietnam Wars. A park rotunda is located near the Ayr War Memorial.
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Burdekin Diorama
Located near Home Hill's Inkerman Sugar Mill, on the southern side of the Burdekin River Bridge, the Burdekin Diorama offers a tranquil spot to pause and explore the region's rich heritage. Easily accessible, it provides an engaging stop amidst pleasant surroundings. The Burdekin Diorama provides a glimpse into the journey of the Burdekin's sugarcane industry through maps, photos and informational panels. Here you will find the John Drysdale Memorial which is a tribute to the man who developed stability in the region.
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Mount Inkerman
Mt Inkerman, just a 10-minute drive south of Home Hill, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Burdekin region. Rising dramatically from the vast surrounding landscapes, the Mt Inkerman Lookout provides the best vantage point to admire the region's lush agricultural land and iconic Burdekin River. Mt Inkerman offers covered viewing decks, picnic areas, barbecue facilities, toilets and convenient parking. There is a wealth of information about the mountain's significance to local indigenous people on display. Capture the essence of the region's stunning landscape through the picturesque tourism frame at the lookout, creating the perfect opportunity to step into the frame and capture lasting memories. If you are feeling adventurous, embark on the Mount Inkerman Nature Trail (MINT) starting at the mountain's base, winding through native bushland to the lookout. Accessible from two points. The first access point is found by turning off the Bruce Highway at the Mt Inkerman turnoff. Halfway up the road, there is a clearing on the right where the trail starts. The second access point can be found by turning off the Bruce Highway at the Mt Inkerman Shop. Park in the carpark and walk left alongside the mountain where you will see a sign for entry.
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Plantation Park
Plantation Park in Ayr is a popular stop offering shady areas for picnics, access to the Juru Walk and the state-of-the-art Plantation Nature Play. The park also offers public toilets, barbecue facilities and caravan and car parking. Plantation Nature Play is a nature-based play area in Plantation Park with all-abilities swings, a fortress-themed lookout, and rock and rope climbs. It also features a variety of activities such as an accessible fortress themed lookout, rock and rope climbing and fossil digging. The Burdekin Visitor Information Centre located in the park is the perfect stop on your road trip to talk to a local expert, obtain brochures and maps or grab a free coffee or tea from the Driver Reviver stop. While you are there, experience the Yongala Dive Virtual Reality Experience or the Wilmar Virtual Mill Tour. The Juru Walk is a walking trail at the sothern end of Plantation Park which provides an important bond to the Burdekin's Aboriginal history. A bush tucker garden was planted alongside the walk and features more than 30 species of plants. Plantation Park is also home to a 60m carpet snake sculpture, Gubulla Munda, which was built by the Gudjuda Reference Group in 2004 to celebrate and promote Indigenous culture. The sculpture marks the significance of the site as a traditional burial ground.
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Wunjunga Beach
For those wanting to experience a truly secluded beach, Wunjunga Beach (Beachmount) is an absolute must. Wunjunga features 14km of coastline and a small community of permanent residents, holiday homes and beach huts. Located 35km south of Home Hill, Wunjunga is accessed by a bitumen and dirt road which travels through a cattle property and is a haven for local wildlife. Wunjunga is perfect for four-wheel driving, picnics, fishing and walks along the beach. The best way to enjoy all that Wunjunga has to offer is by setting up a tent or caravan at Funny Dunny Park camping grounds. The small camping ground offers limited short-stay caming for self-contained vehicles for $5 per night per site. Three Aboriginal middens are located at Wunjunga and can be observed from afar. They are a protected site significant to the region's traditional owners. It is not recommended to swim at this beach due to marine stingers and other marine life.
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