SNEAK PEEK: Mackay Adventure Lodge opening soon at Wake House

Take a sneak peek inside the state’s newest backpackers lodge offering cute wallabies at sunrise, rainforest tours, and doorstep access to one of Australia’s few cable wake parks.

After years of anticipation, we can finally reveal the first look inside the Mackay Adventure Lodge ahead of its soft opening on June 9.

Wake House owner Amanda Pelagalli and husband Dan Probert made the decision to build the region’s newest accommodation and tourist experience hub during the Covid lockdown.

They said they were excited to be taking the last steps towards opening the doors to guests.

The 2-3 star accommodation, behind one of Australia’s few wakeboarding courses at Andergrove’s Lake Poco, offers rooms ranging from backpacker dorms to accessible family rooms and lakeside luxe rooms.

Ms Pelagalli said the Lodge would be “so much more” than a simple backpackers.

Wake House owners Amanda Pelagalli and Dan Probert say they will open the Adventure Lodge in early June. Photo: Jacob Vinall

“Our tour guide Michelle Anderson (is) taking people on journeys up to see sunrise with the wallabies at Cape Hillsborough,” she said.

“Tourists were just, you know, going in a taxi out there in the mornings to see the kangaroos … whereas now we’re giving them a whole education.

“(And) there’s other tours being launched as well in Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella.

“People don’t want to do the tourist trap sort of stuff anymore, they want to be immersed in with the locals and experience it.”

Adventure Lodge will offer a variety of trips to Eungella, Finch Hatton, and Cape Hillsborough led by tour guide Michelle Anderson. Photo: Jacob Vinall

Ms Pelagalli said potential trips exploring Mackay town’s art deco history or dining at the Flackyard were also in the works.

The bus used for tours is also on offer to pick up guests from Mackay Airport.

Ms Pelagalli said the tour bus, bought shortly before Covid lockdown, was necessary to connect tourists with the wonders of the Mackay region.

The Adventure Lodge will offer generous shared living spaces including a patio and pool area overlooking the Wake House. Photo: Jacob Vinall

“The size of the Mackay-Isaac region is almost the size of Tasmania (so) you just can’t expect tourists to just take taxis everywhere when we’re sort of spread out,” Ms Pelagalli said.

Adventure Lodge visitors can choose from a variety of room options, the cheapest being a bunkbed in a shared dorm with a locker and ensuite for about $60 a night.

Wake House's Adventure Lodge will offer a range of ensuite rooms from dorms to family rooms to lakeside luxe. Photo: Jacob Vinall

LakeView Luxe rooms on the second floor have a sunny view over the Wake House and Lake Poco, luxurious linens on a King bed, a 50-inch flat screen TV, and ensuite with provided wash products for $200.

A “Family” room on the ground floor comes with a double bed and a bunkbed as well as a disability-friendly accessible bathroom, also for $200.

Each booking includes a continental breakfast.

Wake House‘s Adventure Lodge will offer a range of ensuite rooms from dorms to family rooms to lakeside luxe. Photo: Jacob Vinall

“This property was our dream to add on to the wake park,” Ms Pelagalli said.

“We have 21 rooms in Mackay Adventure Lodge, all private ensuite, but we also have this beautiful communal area, a lap pool, and some social kitchen spaces.

“We think about it like, if you go to the snow, you stay in a ski lodge

“Well, we’re trying to create Queensland’s … tropical version of a ski lodge.”