Getting to the Mackay Region is easy and inexpensive, and you can be assured of a warm welcome. Once here, you have an amazing range of natural features and cultural heritage to explore. Mackay City is a vibrant regional service centre set beside the mighty blue Pioneer River. The city’s Artspace, Botanic Gardens, Bluewater Trail, Orchid House and art deco architecture are just some of the attractions worth exploring. Don’t miss Mackay’s impressive Marina and beaches, they face the Coral Sea and the exquisite islands and Great Barrier Reef including Brampton, Keswick and Scawfell islands – all accessible by day cruise, charter boat or air.
Inland are the lush sugar landscape of the Pioneer Valley, Eungella National Park and the home of the platypus, and huge freshwater fishing dams. West of the Mackay Highlands with their breathtaking walks and views, the Mining Trail will lead you through our beef properties to historic towns such as Nebo and Clermont, and the awesome man-made features of the Bowen Basin coalfields.
To the south of Mackay, visit spectacular Hay Point (one of the world’s largest coal export ports), the picturesque beaches and fishing spots of Sarina and historic St Lawrence. While to the north lies the green Hibiscus Coast including Cape Hillsborough National Park.
Mackay’s tropical city centre is a hive of colour and activity. Dine alfresco, shop the boutique stores or for the night owls – mingle with the locals at the busy bars and nightclubs. Take the self guided Heritage Walk past 20 lovingly restored heritage listed buildings, and admire Queensland’s best collection of art deco architecture. The mighty blue Pioneer River is a Mackay icon and can be viewed from the Blue River Boardwalk and rotunda. Sunday morning markets are popular and there are plenty of shopping choices at Caneland Central and Mount Pleasant Greenfields Shopping Centres. With the expansion of Caneland Central comes the addition of a Myer store and plenty of other new retailers. The complex will run right down to the Pioneer River, making it a fantastic facility for the region.
Striking Artspace Mackay is the city’s modern art gallery and museum. It hosts an alternating range of local, national and international displays. The developing Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens is one of Australia’s newest and most innovative botanic gardens. Featuring flora and land forms from the Central Queensland bio-region, the gardens surrounds the scenic Lagoons and will continue to grow over the next 15 years. Join a free guided walk or relax on the deck at the casual café, overlooking the lagoons.
