Cape Hillsborough: A Beautiful Sunrise with the Kangaroos

Orange, purple, red and yellow hues erupt on the horizon, reflecting on the shore of Cape Hillsborough Beach. Two Eastern grey kangaroos are silhouetted along the water’s edge. They hop away into the distance when the sun rises. The light captures the rugged hills plummeting to boulders that meet sandy beaches and the blue sea.

Cape Hillsborough

Hillsborough National Park is about an hour’s drive north of Mackay and two hours south of Airlie Beach in Queensland. Famous for kangaroos on the beach at sunrise, it’s also known for rugged scenery, walking tracks with spectacular views and native wildlife. The rainforest, eucalypt forest, rocky headlands and beaches make the park an ideal place for campers and bushwalkers.

The Nature Park

We stayed at Cape Hillsborough Nature Park, on the beachfront, surrounded by the national park and a wildlife haven. The park offers a variety of accommodation choices, from camping and caravanning to beachfront huts and a beach house. Campers can use BBQs, toilets, bathrooms, laundry facilities, a swimming pool and a camp kitchen.

It has everything you need for a weekend or a few days away, including a small cafe and shop with basic groceries.

The accommodation is simple, but the location and kangaroos make the stay here special.

Meet Bridget and Emma Lou

Bridget and Emma Lou, the resident kangaroos, became familiar faces at Cape Hillsborough and appear in many iconic sunrise photographs that have made this beautiful beach famous. Unlike the agile wallabies that naturally live here, Eastern Grey Kangaroos aren’t native to Cape Hillsborough. Years ago, the previous owners lovingly raised Bridget, Emma Lou and two other female kangaroos after they were orphaned as tiny joeys.

As they grew older, three of the kangaroos followed their wild instincts and ventured into the surrounding bush. Bridget, however, chose to stay close to the park. No one ever really knew why. Perhaps this had become her home.

The others would occasionally return to visit her, but life in the wild can be unforgiving. Sadly, dingoes took two of the young females. Left on her own, Emma Lou eventually returned to the place she knew best, where Bridget was waiting.

Watching the two kangaroos together each morning reminded everyone that every wild animal has its own story. While thousands of visitors came to photograph the famous sunrise, many also came to know Bridget and Emma Lou as two very special residents of Cape Hillsborough.

Sunrise with the Kangaroos

Before sunrise, the kangaroos join the wallabies and search and forage on the beach and in the tide. Owners can supplement their food, so the wallabies and kangaroos wait in anticipation of their treats as well.

When the sun rises, it’s a gorgeous sight to see them all together on the beach. It’s an interactive experience, as Bridget and Emma Lou are very sociable and share some close moments with visitors.

You can get close enough to the shy wallabies and see the adorable babies in their pouches. After they eat, they don’t stay on the beach long—about 10-30 minutes — before disappearing into the bush.

The picturesque location, diverse wildlife and perfect weather make this a great spot to spend a couple of days relaxing. It’s perfect for a stopover during a drive through North Queensland or for a morning kangaroo viewing.

💡Helpful Tips for Visiting Cape Hillsborough

• Arrive early. Kangaroos and wallabies usually gather on the beach about 30 minutes before sunrise and the soft predawn colours can be every bit as spectacular as the sunrise itself.
• Leave the tripod behind. Because the kangaroos and wallabies move around so much, we found it much easier—and far more enjoyable—to photograph them handheld.
• Want to spend more time with Bridget and Emma Lou? During our stay, they often visited the area around Huts 17 and 23 throughout the day.
• Don’t rely on Wi-Fi. There is no Wi-Fi signal at Cape Hillsborough, so download maps or anything else you might need before you arrive.
• The kangaroos visit all year round. School holidays are especially popular, so book your accommodation well in advance if you’re planning to stay.
• The beach gathering happens only at sunrise. If you arrive later in the morning, you’ll almost certainly miss the kangaroos and wallabies on the beach.
• You don’t need to stay overnight. Visitors can park in the main car park and walk down to the beach. Once you reach the sand, turn right and you’ll soon find the kangaroos.

🌿 Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park

Other Places to Stay

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, Smalleys Beach Campground is just 5 km from Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park. This small National Parks campground offers a peaceful bush setting with picnic tables at each campsite, potable water, eco-flushing toilets and several sites with beautiful ocean views. You can easily drive to Cape Hillsborough before sunrise to watch the kangaroos and wallabies gather on the beach.

The Leap Hotel is located on the Bruce Highway about 30 minutes north of Mackay, just before the turn-off to Cape Hillsborough. Buy a beer at the pub and they’ll let you stay overnight for free—a great option before an early start for the sunrise kangaroos.

If you’re travelling in a self-contained vehicle, there’s also a small roadside parking area around 50 metres before the entrance to Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park where you can stay overnight. While camping isn’t permitted within the adjacent park, this parking area offers an easy walk to the beach. Follow the track to the sand, turn right and you’ll soon reach the kangaroos’ favourite sunrise gathering spot.

🏝️Keep Exploring Queensland’s Wild Coastlines

Keep following Queensland’s coast: watch loggerhead turtle hatchlings scramble to the sea at Cape Hillsborough, or head to Agnes Water to trade crowded shores for pristine beaches and coastal wildlife.

🐾Where to Next?

🐢Loggerhead Turtles: Their Incredible First Journey at Cape Hillsborough
🏖️Unveiling Agnes Water: A Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers