Mackay

Artspace Mackay This modern art gallery forms part of the Queensland Heritage Trails Network. The museum documents Mackay's history with an interesting permanent exhibition titled 'Spirit and Place: Mementoes of Mackay'. The gallery section has rotating exhibits of both local and international artwork; Tues–Sat; Gordon St. Old Town Hall: houses the Heritage Interpretive Centre with displays on Mackay's history and visitor information; Sydney St. Regional Botanic Gardens: follow the picturesque boardwalk over a lagoon and explore specialised gardens of central-coast flora; Lagoon St. Queens Park: includes the Orchid House with over 3000 orchids; Goldsmith St. Heritage walk: self-guide walk of 22 heritage buildings; brochure available from visitor centre. City cemetery: 1.5 km heritage walk; Greenmount Rd. Horizon Mosaics: locally-constructed mosaics of Mackay region's natural attractions; Victoria St. Mackay Museum: local artefacts with a research area and souvenirs for sale; open 10am–2pm every Thurs and first Sun each month; Casey Ave. Great Barrier Reef tours: snorkelling, diving, reef fishing and sailing tours; details at visitor centre.

Eungella National Park This ecologically-diverse park is home to some unusual plants and animals including the Eungella gastric brooding frog and the Mackay tulip oak. A highlight of the visit is seeing the platypus in Broken River from a viewing deck. Visit the Finch Hatton Gorge section of the park with its breathtaking waterfalls, swimming holes and walking tracks. For the more adventurous, try sailing through the rainforest canopy on the eco-tour Forest Flying. Finch Hatton Gorge turn-off is just before Eungella. Broken River is 6 km S of Eungella; (07) 4944 7800 (same phone number for national parks below).

Hibiscus coast Comprises the quaint coastal towns of Seaforth, Ball Bay and Cape Hillsborough. Steep, rainforest-clad hills plunge to rocky headlands and white sandy beaches in this lovely and surprisingly peaceful district north of Mackay. Cape Hillsborough National Park offers the most pristine scenery, as well as tidal rockpools and walking trails. Kangaroos are often seen hopping along the deserted beaches; 43 km NW.

Northern beaches: visit fabulous beaches including Harbour (patrolled, fishing), Town, Blacks (area's longest beach), Bucasia, Illawong, Eimeo, Lamberts (excellent lookout) and Shoal Point. Farleigh Sugar Mill: tours during crushing season, July–Oct; 15 km N. That Sapphire Place: sapphire display and gem-cutting demonstrations; 20 km W. Greenmount Homestead: restored historic home with pioneering history museum; open 9.30am–12.30pm, closed Sat; Walkerston; 20 km W. Homebush: small town offers art and craft gallery, orchid farms and self-drive tour through historic area; 25 km S. Melba House: the home where Dame Nellie Melba spent the 1st year of her married life. Now home to Pioneer Valley Visitor Centre; Marian; 28 km W. Mirani: small town in the Pioneer Valley with museum and Illawong Fauna and Flora Sanctuary; 33 km W. Kinchant Dam: popular spot for watersports and fishing; 40 km W. Smith Islands National Park: the largest island of this group is Goldsmith, with long sandy beaches and snorkelling in surrounding reefs; access is by private boat or water taxi; 70 km NE via Seaforth. Cumberland Island National Park: this group of islands off Mackay's coast is popular for boating and also an important rookery for flat back and green turtles; access is by private boat or water taxi. Brampton Island: resort island at southern end of Whitsunday Passage with pristine beaches and coral reef; sea and air access. Nebo: historic town of Mackay region, with local artefacts and pioneering history at the Nebo Shire Museum. Nebo holds a Campdraft in Sept; 93 km SW.

Pioneer River 30 km

Fishing from a canoe is one of the best ways to get close and personal with the environment. Even when the fish are small, catching them from a canoe is both challenging and rewarding. With that in mind, I jumped at the... Find out more

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Seaforth 35 km

Seaforth is about an hour’s drive north of Mackay, depending on cane harvester traffic. The small seaside resort is remarkable in that it hasn’t yet been overrun by developers, although that is changing... Find out more

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Teemburra Dam 53 km

Mackay has excellent freshwater options. The most popular venues are the region’s dams in the Pioneer Valley – Teemburra, Eungella and Kinchant. Of these, the best known is Teemburra in Eungella National... Find out more

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Lake Proserpine 122 km

The closed season for barramundi in Queensland runs from November to February, but some of the best barra waters are exempt and this includes the fabulous Lake Proserpine, often called Peter Faust Dam, 26 km east of... Find out more

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Camping - Whitsundays and Keppel Islands 101 km

If you want to camp on one of the Whitsunday Islands but do not want to kayak and do not own a boat, Camping Whitsundays and Island Camping Connections run a drop-off and pickup service, supply camping gear and food if... Find out more

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Hiking the Whitsundays Great Walk 103 km

In the past few years a 30-kilometre walking track – the Whitsundays Great Walk – has been established, from Brandy Creek to Airlie Beach, through Conway State Forest. The two main camps, Repulse Creek and... Find out more

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Wildlife tours - Rockhampton to Townsville 103 km

Proserpine River Eco Tours runs an eco-accredited all-day wildlife safari in which you have a fairly good chance of seeing saltwater crocodiles, agile wallabies, mud crabs and frillnecked lizards. The tour combines a... Find out more

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Picnicking around Bowen and Mackay 158 km

There is plenty of shade to go around at Mullers Lagoon in Bowen, a 24-hectare parkland with botanic gardens, wetlands, a bird hide and free barbecues. The lush Botanic Gardens at Mackay are also recommended.... Find out more

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Hamilton Island Golf Club 92 km

When Hamilton Island was being built in the 1980s it was a playground of the rich and famous. The island’s owner and developer, Keith Williams, knew a golf course would add to the tourism value of his island... Find out more

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George’s Thai on the Marina

Here’s a waterfront restaurant that serves the very best contemporary Thai food. Its menu appeals with its freshness and also its differences – not many places serve betel leaf, in this case topped with... Find out more

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Sorbello’s Italian 
Restaurant

If you can’t find something you want to eat here, then you’re just not hungry. The whopping menu includes risotto, pasta, pizza, seafood, steak, chicken, lamb, pork and heaps of vegetable dishes, and... Find out more

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Church on Palmer

The church has been de-sanctified and now the building is dedicated to producing good food. This was one of the first fine-dining places in Mackay and it has a loyal local following, thanks not only to its food but also... Find out more

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Kinchant Waters 29 km

Popular with waterskiiers and anglers, this 4 ha campground is part of the Kinchent Waters Leisure Resort, offering a range of accommodation options including cabins and backpacker rooms, plus a bar, restaurant and... Find out more

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Smalleys Beach camping area 31 km

The gravel road to Smalleys Beach is signposted about 6 km along Cape Hillsborough Rd, 50 km north-west of Mackay. The campground offers plenty of shade under eucalypt trees and there are 11 numbered sites. The nearby... Find out more

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Ball Bay Campground 33 km

Ball Bay is a basic campground (no powered sites) off Cape Hillsborough Rd, about 48 km north of Mackay. Camping attendants visit the site daily to collect fees. Mackay is on the Bruce Hwy,  about 125 km south of... Find out more

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Seaforth camping reserve 35 km

This campground is 45 km north of Mackay along the Seaforth–Yakapari Rd. It has coin-operated showers, firewood is supplied, and camping attendants visit the site daily to collect fees. Mackay is on the Bruce Hwy... Find out more

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Outer Newry Island 41 km

This campground is on the island’s south-west coast. If you’re lucky you might see some amazing birdlife on Outer Newry Island, including brahminy kites, ospreys and white-bellied sea eagles. Campers should... Find out more

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Carlisle Island 42 km

Bush camping is permitted on Carlisle Island, part of Brampton Islands National Park off the coast of Mackay. A gas barbecue, toilets and picnic shelters are the only facilities so bring all self-sufficient supplies. The... Find out more

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Rabbit Island 44 km

Camping is permitted on the island’s south-east coast, where you’ll find a gas barbecue and a few other basic facilities such as picnic tables and a shelter shed. There’s excellent wildlife watching on... Find out more

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St Helens Beach camping area 49 km

This basic campground is in the township of St Helens Beach, 68 km north of Mackay. Firewood is supplied and camping attendants visit the site daily to collect fees. Mackay is on the Bruce Hwy about 125 km south of... Find out more

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Captain’s Crossing camping area 50 km

Camp beside lovely Teemburra Creek at this campground and picnic spot. There are no facilities; bring all self-sufficient supplies including drinking water and firewood (a gas/fuel stove is preferred). Access is by 4WD... Find out more

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Goldsmith Island 53 km

Camping is permitted on Goldsmith Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area off the coast of Mackay. Toilets and picnic tables are the only facilities so you’ll need to bring all self-sufficient... Find out more

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The Park Mackay 4 km

This is a large park and the tourist van sites are at the rear, furthest away from the highway. There are good facilities and it is a popular base for travellers. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Andergrove Van Park 5 km

Sweeping lawns are visible as you enter this excellent park set in a quiet, off-road position with easy access from the Bruce Highway. It has good features at a reasonable price and is an ideal base for exploring the... Find out more

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Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort 28 km

This park within Cape Hillsborough National Park offers camping and caravan sites and is a great spot for a break. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Seaforth Camping Area 35 km

This is a popular open camping area right on the beachfront in the heart of the small town.... Find out more

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St Helens Gardens Caravan Park 49 km

A basic park with good facilities, this place is set back from the highway beside Kolijo Creek, 1 km south of the Calen Post Office. This is a good overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Travellers Rest Caravan and Camping Park 72 km

There are no more sandflies or midges at Midge Point than elsewhere, but there is a lovely beachside caravan park with lawns, large shady trees and a host of other great features. We really enjoy staying here. Bookings... Find out more

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O’Connell River Whitsunday Tourist Park 87 km

Located alongside the highway 22 km south of Proserpine, this place has good basic facilities and is for an overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Proserpine Tourist Park 103 km

In a quiet off-highway part of Proserpine, this is a very neat park that adjoins the town swimming pool, golf course and bowling green. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Flametree Tourist Village 106 km

This is a well-known park in the heart of a popular holiday destination. Enjoy the pool, covered barbecues and other features. This is a good place at a reasonable price in this busy coastal strip. Bookings are required... Find out more

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BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 108 km

This is a top quality park in an exceptionally popular holiday destination. The park has many features including a kids club, a tennis court and minigolf. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay... Find out more

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Clarion Hotel Mackay 
Marina

Located in the Mackay Marina Village, the hotel has 79 self-contained suites with marina and ocean views, ranging from spa suites to family suites and deluxe studios, all with a balcony. Children under 12 stay free... Find out more

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Comfort Resort Blue Pacific

You have a choice of styles and prices here, from studio rooms with limited cooking facilities to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and a two-bedroom penthouse apartment, all with a full kitchen. There is also a... Find out more

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Lantern Motor Inn and Restaurant

Located 2 kilometres from the city centre, there are 16 units on two levels here, set in tropical gardens. The licensed restaurant operates six nights a week and provides room service. Hosts Alvin, Rosemary and Francine... Find out more

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Ocean International

This is a perfect spot for a family holiday, right on Illawong beach and only 3 kilometres from the centre of Mackay. It is also close to a nine-hole golf course and tennis courts. The 45 rooms include five specifically... Find out more

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Broken River Mountain 
Resort

Tear yourself away from the coast for this very special place, one of the best in the world to see the elusive platypus in the wild. It is 90 kilometres west of Mackay and 5 kilometres from Eungella. Despite its apparent... Find out more

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Smalleys Beach Camp Area 31 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Small area on the beach among dense coastal vegetation 1.5 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 5.5 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) in Cape... Find out more

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Palm Tree Creek Park Area 32 km

34 km N of Mackay (L) or 90 km S of Proserpine (R) Small area adjacent to the highway around a few trees. Good shade. GPS: S21 01.676 E148 53.572... Find out more

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Sarina Park Area 32 km

South side of town Large parking area just off the highway behind the roadhouse. Good shade. GPS: S21 26.183 E149 13.387  ... Find out more

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Ball Bay Camp Area 33 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Very small grassy campground on the foreshore 2 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 4 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) at the end of the road... Find out more

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Seaforth Camp Area 35 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Large foreshore campground located 23 kilometres east of the highway at the end of the road into the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 54.074 E148... Find out more

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St Helens Beach Camp Area 48 km

T/O 54 km N of Mackay (R) or 70 km S of Proserpine (L) Small campground located 13 kilometres east of the highway on the foreshore at the south end of the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 50.426 E148... Find out more

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Clairview Rest Area 112 km

North end of town Small area on the foreshore via the service road. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S22 06.357 E149 31.634... Find out more

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St Lawrence Camp Area 137 km

T/O 177 km N of Rockhampton (R) or 157 km S of Mackay (L)   Large area 5 kilometres east of the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S22 20.993 E149 31.272... Find out more

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Waverley Creek Rest Area 146 km

169 km N of Rockhampton (R) or 165 km S of Mackay (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S22 26.361 E149 28.516... Find out more

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