Mackay Mini Guide
Mackay is a town on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia and 900km north of
Brisbane, the state capital. It is known for its natural beauty and laid back lifestyle.
Getting to Mackay
You can fly from Brisbane to Mackay Airport or travel by train with Queensland Rail. Greyhound has coach services to Mackay from most cities in Queensland. You can also drive along the whole coastline from Brisbane through Mackay to Cairns, using the Bruce Highway. Once you are there, use the bus service or hire a car to get around and really explore the area.
Things to do in Mackay
Take a Heritage Walk around the town centre, it takes 90 minutes and you will see the local architecture and find out more about the town’s history. For a little more history and culture head for Artspace, the town’s museum and art gallery or take a tour of Farleigh Mill to discover how sugar cane is produced. Go for a wander around the harbour and Marina Village or stroll through the Mackay Botanical Gardens.
Head to the beach, there are 31 beaches in the Mackay area! Go bushwalking and explore the flora and fauna in Eungella National Park - you will see platypus in their natural environment and don’t miss Araluen Falls.
Of course, you must take a trip to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and see the Great Barrier Reef. Back on dry land, Nebo and Clermont are well worth a visit, they are historic bush towns with open cast mines set in ancient landscapes. Most people come to Mackay to see the Great Barrier Reef or enjoy the beaches but the tourist board are now trying to encourage people to enjoy the near deserted inland national parks which have spectacular scenery.
Eating out in Mackay
The Marina has some of the best places to eat, try George’s Thai Restaurant for authentic Thai cuisine, al fresco. You can also join in the weekly cookery class he offers.
Mackay souvenirs
Head for the mall at Mount Pleasant Greenfields or Caneland Central. If it’s the weekend, browse the market stalls for something unusual at Victoria Street and Milton Street.
Mackay Accommodation
There are so many types of accommodation in Mackay – you can stay in a caravan, log cabin or a motel or lodge house, the choice is yours!
See a completely different part of the country now with a visit to Mackay. There, almost a third of Australia’s sugar is produced and you’ll pass fields which could have been transplanted from the Caribbean.
The air is thick with the sweet smell of the cane, especially around harvest time and roadside stalls sell cane to chew – an interesting experience for those with a sweet tooth. Organise a hire car from Rhino at the same time you book your holiday and then explore this very different part of the country.
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