Moranbah
Town
Population 7131
Moranbah is a modern mining town south-west of Mackay. It was established in 1969 to support the huge open-cut coalmines of the expanding Bowen Coal Basin. Coking coal is railed to the Hay Point export terminal just south of Mackay.
Visitor Information
Library, town square; (07) 4941 4500
Nearby national parks
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Eungella National Park
Situated in the rugged Clarke Range, high above the surrounding plains, this mountainous national park is rent by deep gorges and contains...more -
Cape Hillsborough National Park
Cape Hillsborough National Park is renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches nestled between rocky headlands. Rhyolite boulders are scattered...more
Nearby towns
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Clermont
Clermont is in the central highlands south-west of Mackay. It was established over 130 years ago after the discovery of gold at Nelson's...more -
Sarina
Sarina is in the hinterland of what has been dubbed the Serenity Coast, at the base of the Connor Range. It is central to the Queensland...more -
Mackay
The city of Mackay is an intriguing blend of 1900s and art deco heritage buildings mixed with modern-day architecture. It was first settled...more
In Town
Federation Walk: 1 km scenic walk starts at Grosvenor Park; Peak Downs Hwy. Historical walk: self-guide trail past interesting sites and heritage buildings of town; brochure from visitor centre.
Nearby
Tours to Peak Downs Mine: leaves from town square the last Wed each month; bookings at visitor centre. Isaacs River: recreational area with historic monuments and a hiking trail in dry weather; 13 km S. Lake Elphinstone: camping, recreation activities, waterskiing, boating and fishing; 70 km N.
Fishing spots near town
Teemburra Dam 109 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 morePioneer River 128 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 moreSeaforth 156 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 moreLake Proserpine 184 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 moreEco-friendly activities around town
Emerald Botanic Garden 169 km
Pack a picnic and explore the 42-hectare Emerald Botanic Garden on the banks of the Nagoa River. It has 6 kilometres of walks, and gardens representing major plant communities in central Queensland (with 90 per cent of... Find out moreWildlife tours - Rockhampton to Townsville 186 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 moreHiking the Whitsundays Great Walk 196 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 moreCamping - Whitsundays and Keppel Islands 213 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 morePicnicking around Bowen and Mackay 221 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 moreGolf courses around town
Hamilton Island Golf Club 205 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 moreCampsites around town
The Diggings camping area 101 km
The forest here still contains relics from gold mining exploration during the 1880s. Self-sufficient campers can use this site near Eungella Dam Rd. There are no facilities and it is access is dry-weather only. ... Find out moreEungella Dam camping area 101 km
Eungella Dam, 40 km north-west of Eungella, is a popular place for all manner of watersports. The fishing is good too, as the dam is well stocked with sooty grunter and barramundi. You need to be totally self-sufficient... Find out moreFern Flat Campground 104 km
Along the Mackay Highlands Great Walk track, 5 km south of Eungella, this campground is just 600 m from the carpark and picnic area at Broken River. The site has toilets and water, but you’ll need to visit the... Find out moreCaptain’s Crossing camping area 109 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 morePlatypus Bush Camp 120 km
Hot showers with rainforest views and a superb open-air camp kitchen are some of the excellent facilities at this popular campground. The camping area has plenty of space for groups, or you can stay in the tree-house... Find out moreKinchant Waters 124 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 moreJaxut camping area 142 km
This camping area is next to Pandanus Creek at Jaxut, about 200 m past the old forest station. Access is via the Cathu–O’Connell River Rd, a very steep road suitable for small caravans and camper trailers... Find out moreWindmill Bay campsite 150 km
This basic site for self-sufficient campers is south of Cape Palmerston on the eastern edge of the park. Access is by 4WD only via a sandy track. The site is gas/fuel stove only.... Find out moreCape Creek campsite 152 km
Cape Creek is to the south-west of Cape Palmerston. For self-sufficient campers, it is accessed with 4WD only via a sandy track. The site is gas/fuel stove only.... Find out moreSt Helens Beach camping area 154 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 moreCaravan parks around town
St Helens Gardens Caravan Park 144 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 moreThe Park Mackay 147 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 moreAndergrove Van Park 154 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 moreSeaforth Camping Area 155 km
This is a popular open camping area right on the beachfront in the heart of the small town.... Find out moreCape Hillsborough Nature Resort 159 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 moreTravellers Rest Caravan and Camping Park 165 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 moreBlue Gem Caravan Park 166 km
For those interested in trying their luck on the gemfields, this park is a good base. It forms part of a shop and service station complex and is centrally located in Sapphire on the banks of Retreat Creek, where... Find out moreO’Connell River Whitsunday Tourist Park 170 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 moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Lake Maraboon 184 km
This park is located 18 km south-west of Emerald on the shores of Lake Maraboon, a popular spot for watersports and fishing. Red-claw crayfish are a major attraction. Many visitors come specifically to stay at Lake... Find out moreProserpine Tourist Park 185 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 moreRest areas around town
Sarina Park Area 138 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 morePalm Tree Creek Park Area 139 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 moreWhat's on around town
Australia Day Street Party: Jan.
May Day Union Parade and Fireworks: May.