Halfway between Brisbane and Cairns – the Mackay Region, with a population of over 100,000, offers all the elements of a Queensland experience - lush rainforest, natural beaches, reef and tropical islands, yet away from the tourist crowds.
Mackay Region
The Mackay region boasts a number of attractions – 31 unspoilt beaches, National Parks with vast tracts of sub-tropical rainforest, lush hinterland, deserted islands and coral gardens inside the Great Barrier Reef. Mackay is a warm and vibrant city with all the charm of a caring tropical community.
Mackay – The River City
The mighty blue Pioneer River flows past the city's historical buildings and rows of palm trees fringe the main street. Beautiful beaches and a world class marina are within minutes from the city centre. As the hub of Mackay Region, the city offers a diverse range of shopping, dining and entertainment options, an award winning art gallery and picturesque botanic gardens.
National Parks
Eungella National Park is a scenic hour's drive west of Mackay and is Australia's longest continuous stretch of sub-tropical rainforest in Australia, covering over 51,700 hectares and filled with over 22km of well maintained walking tracks of varying degrees of difficulty and breathtaking views across the Pioneer Valley at 2500 feet above sea level. Broken River is also renowned for being the most reliable place in Australia to spot a platypus! Nearby Finch Hatton Gorge contains lush rainforest walking trails to waterfalls and deep, refreshing swimming holes. Cape Hillsborough National Park is a 40 minute drive north of Mackay and situated on the coast - remembered for the friendly wallabies that comedown onto the beach each sunrise. Mackay's National Parks are the perfect place for nature lovers with an abundance of birdlife and tropical butterflies. Some excellent guided day tours are available to all areas.
The Great Barrier Reef & Islands
Mackay's close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, several remote island groups and island resorts, make it the perfect base to explore some of Queensland's most popular attractions. Brampton, Keswick and uninhabited Scawfell Islands are some of the beautiful islands accessible from Mackay. Accommodation options range from guesthouse and holiday villas on Keswick, Brampton's romantic island resort to wilderness island camping. Regular island day cruises, personalised snorkelling trips, fishing charters and exciting parasailing and jetski safaris also operate out of the Mackay Marina.
Major Airlines provide daily services to Mackay plus Qld Rail, Greyhound and McCafferty's coaches run via Mackay between Brisbane and Cairns.
Daily air, train and coach services run to and from Brisbane, the north and other regional centres. Highways traverse the region, and hire cars, motorhomes/campervans are available in Mackay.
- Share a sunrise beach walk with a wallaby or two at Cape Hillsborough National Park
- Explore Eungella National Park, Finch Hatton Gorge and go platypus spotting at Broken River!
- Take an exhilarating flying fox ride over the spectacular rainforest canopy at Finch Hatton
- Experience real outback traditions like the Nebo Rodeo held each year in May or June
- Visit a working sugar mill at Sarina or Farleigh (July - Oct)
- Dine alfresco at Mackay Marina, within the palm fringed city centre, or beside the mighty Pioneer River
- Discover magic Brampton and Keswick Islands
- Visit any one of the regions 31 beaches - that you will more than often have all to yourself!
- Step aboard a snorkelling day trip or relax on a sunset cruise
