Mackay is the first truly tropical city on the Queensland Pacific Coast Way. A normal city, neither too big nor too small, perfect for relaxing and doing city plans without having to stress. However, we don’t recommend that you spend too much time in the city, but rather that you head out to explore the lush nature of its surroundings.
First there’s Eungella National Park, up into the mountains and home to platypus and deep canyons. Second is Cape Hillsborough National Park, following the coastline with eucalyptus forests, rainforests and kangaroos on its beaches. Finally there’s Cape Palmerston National Park with its rugged beauty, wilderness camping and beach driving. Yes, the true Mackay region isn’t found in its buildings, but in its national parks.
Mackay is a coastal city located on the border between central and far north Queensland. The metropolis has a population of 137,000. The Mackay region is famous for its sugar plantations and is considered the sugar capital of Australia.
The Pioneer River flows through the city, making it one of the few “blue water” rivers in Australia. Finally, the traditional owners of the Mackay region are the Yuwibara Aboriginal people. Their domain extended from St Helens to Cape Palmerston.
The Mackay region, located between two worlds (central and far north Queensland), has a unique climate. In summer it is usually humid and hot, while in winter it is mild and dry. Remember to avoid the jellyfish season if you want to swim in the sea (from November to May).
So, when to visit the Mackay region? Let’s see, the driest months of the year are August and September. It is ideal to avoid the ever annoying rain and dangerous jellyfish, but September coincides with the school holidays in Australia so there will be more tourists. Therefore, August is the month to choose if you are looking for a dry and mild climate. July is also a very good option.
Remember, July to October is the best season to walk the Queensland Pacific Coast Way.
We know that the subject of visas can be somewhat confusing, especially for India, where obtaining one is an essential requirement for entry. In the article on how to obtain an Australian visa step by step (coming soon) you have information on how to apply for one online for up to 5 years.
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Nowadays, finding hotels, guesthouses, or restaurants with free Wi-Fi is pretty common. However, there are still those who prefer (or need) to stay connected at all times.
That’s why we’ll show you how to get an eSIM Australia card with internet— now also available with unlimited data.
There are no direct flights from overseas to Mackay; you will need to fly to Brisbane first. Similarly, domestic flights to Mackay are common from Brisbane with a duration of 1.5 hours. There are also occasional flights from Melbourne.
You can easily get to Mackay by car along the Queensland Pacific Coast Way. From Brisbane it’s an 11-hour drive, from Cairns it’s just over 8 (Mackay is closer to Cairns than Brisbane), from Rockhampton it’s 3.5 hours, and from Townsville it’s 4 hours.
You can get to Mackay by train. The railway line we recommend is Queensland RaIl Travel. From Cairns the train takes 11 hours, from Rockhampton 4 and a half hours, and from Townsville it takes 5 hours.
However, before taking the train we recommend using the Greyhound bus service as it is cheaper (especially if you are traveling with passes). From Townsville it is 6 and a half hours and from Rockhampton it is 4 and a half hours.
One of Mackay’s main attractions is its beaches. And it’s no surprise, with the amazing coastline it has, you can expect nothing less than top-notch beaches. Each one of them offers something unique.
For example, stroll along one of Mackay’s longest and most picturesque beaches, Bucasia Beach. Alternatively, spot humpback whales from the viewing platform at Lamberts Beach. Or better yet, swim at the safe Eimeo Beach where there are always lifeguards.
And finally, if you are looking for a hidden gem with golden sands and crystal clear waters, then you cannot miss visiting Blacks Beach.
If you’re looking for some fun in the city of Mackay, then head to the Blue Water Lagoon. A free, family-friendly attraction located in downtown Mackay right next to the Pioneer River.
Yes, you can do almost anything here: swim safely in the lagoon without fear of jellyfish or crocodiles, go down the slides, or simply relax under the soothing sound of the small waterfall that connects the lagoon. In short, this is a safe place to cool off and have fun.
Australia is famous for its fascinating animals, that’s for sure, and among them stands out the platypus. A unique and rare mammal, but also super cute. If you want to see them in their natural habitat you can’t miss visiting the Broken River in Eungella National Park. A river that runs through mountains forming deep gorges, where you can also go diving to see the platypuses even closer.
But Eungella National Park is not just about platypuses. This national park is one of the most ecologically diverse in Queensland with incredible wildlife. Here you can also take many hiking trails, swim under waterfalls, or explore the impressive Finch Hatton Gorge.
Can you imagine anything better than watching the sunrise on a tropical beach? No? What if you can watch the sunrise on a tropical beach with kangaroos having breakfast?
Well, that’s what you can expect if you wake up in time and go to Casuarina Beach in Cape Hillsborough. Yes, every morning the kangaroos are fed on the beach, so maybe the plan loses a bit of its magic (check out this post and find out why you shouldn’t feed wild animals). Still, it’s worth going to see the sunrise.
Just like Eungella National Park, this national park in the Mackay region has more to offer. Cape Hillsborough is a perfect place to go hiking, swim in natural pools formed on the rocky islands, or simply enjoy a picnic on any of its beaches and parks.
This Mackay national park is only accessible by 4×4 vehicles, so it is not for everyone. However, we recommend that you visit it if you have an off-road vehicle. Here you can enjoy driving on off-road trails that will challenge you to the max.
All to reach a place far from civilization, where you can spot ‘false water’ rats among the mangroves, or the curious shorebirds on the beach. The best part? Camping on the beach, under the stars, with the campfire keeping the mosquitoes at bay and the sound of the waves in the background…
Surprise! Yes, from Mackay you can also visit part of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the whole day exploring the aquatic world, discovering the endless tropical fish, and the multicoloured corals that never fail to impress.
Plus, taking a tour offers you the chance to explore them your own way: whether it’s swimming, snorkeling, SUP, or kayaking. Whatever you like best!
Another option is to travel to Cairns and from there explore the Great Barrier Reef in full swing:
The best time to witness wallabies and kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough is during sunrise, when the scene is at its most magical. Sharing the quiet morning light with these iconic Australian marsupials is a moment well worth the early wake-up.
If you don’t have your own vehicle or your campervan is too heavy to go up to Eungella National Park, then this tour is for you. A tour that takes you past waterfalls and to natural pools, following a guide who will definitely make the adventure more fun more fun with their insights into the history and nature of the area.
The tour also takes you to Broken River where, if you are lucky, you might spot platypuses.
As we said, Mackay is famous for its sugar cane production. And tell me, how is rum made? Exactly, with sugar cane. For this reason, Mackay is the ideal city to visit rum distilleries. And here is a tour that takes you to discover how rum is produced from sugar cane juice to the final result.
YES, don’t worry, you can try up to three different rums. Let it be known that we know what you’ve come for;)
The next hostel we saw, and without a doubt, decided to recommend in this general guide to Mackay, is Golden Lace B&B. Located in Sarina, just 40 minutes from Cape Palmerston and 30 minutes from Mackay.
A gem of a hostel at a super cheap price, offering rooms with terrace and private bathroom, breakfast, a nice garden, swimming pool and fully equipped kitchen. I’m telling you, this hostel has it all.
Seaforth Holiday Units is a great hotel located close to Cape Hillsborough (15 minutes) and a two minute walk from Seaforth beach.
The hotel, as its name suggests, offers fully equipped units or studios, some of which even have sea views. You can also park for free in the covered car park and enjoy the patio with barbecues.
Now, if you are looking for a luxurious night in the city of Mackay, we recommend Lanai Riverside Apartments. Located just a three minute walk from Blue Water Lagoon, it is next to the Pioneer River and has a shopping center less than 100 meters away.
Here you will stay in a modern, fully equipped apartment with a private balcony. Lastly, you cannot miss the sauna and fitness centre included in the price.
If you are travelling by RV then this general guide to Mackay also has campsites. For a start, if you are looking for a quiet night out with everything you could possibly need at the campsite, then a great option is Big4 Mackay Black Beach Holiday Park right across from Black Beach.
Another option, ideal if you want to see the sunrise with kangaroos, is Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park right on Casuarina Beach.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a cheaper campsite, we recommend Ball Bay Campground, 15 minutes from Casuarina Beach. The campsite offers bathrooms with showers and a basic kitchen.
This was our choice when we saw the sunrise on the Casuarina Coast. Another cheap option is to camp at Fern Hat Campground in Eungella National Park, this campsite being part of Queensland Parks and Wildlife.
Finally, if you are looking for accommodation near Mackay we recommend staying at the Rowallan Parks Scout Club, a basic campsite where we actually stayed for 3 days while exploring Mackay.
There are no free campsites in the Mackay region.
When it comes to getting around the Mackay region, it’s best to have your own vehicle. The attractions in this general Mackay guide are easily accessible by road (with the exception of Palmerston National Park).
Another option is by public transport. The line of choice is Translink; it is quite good for getting around the city centre and its suburbs. Similarly, Uber and taxi (Mackay Whitsundays Taxi) are available in the city.
We recommend you spend at least 3 days in Mackay: one day to visit Eungella National Park, another to explore Mackay City, and the last day to go to Cape Hillsborough. If you have a 4×4, add an extra day and visit Palmerston National Park. As we said, 3 days is the minimum. We spent 2 days in Cape Hillsborough, 3 in Eungella, and 3 more at Mackay Scout Campground.
Mackay is a fairly complete city, but as we mentioned in the previous section, what is really impressive about this region is not in the city itself but in its nature. In fact, few cities on the Queensland Pacific Coast Way are worth visiting for more than one day. In fact, few cities along the Queensland Pacific Coast Way are worth spending more than a day in. So don’t hesitate, whether through guided tours, traveling in your own vehicle, or juggling public transport, make sure you visit the region’s national parks.
Thea’s favourite place was Flinch Hatton Gorge as it was amazing to swim in its natural pools. I, on the other hand, preferred the sunrise at Hillsborough Beach, not so much for the kangaroos, but for the incredible spectacle of seeing the sun rise between the rocky islands on the beach. In fact, we went twice to see the sunrise: one time for the kangaroos and the other time for the sun.
To finish off this general guide to Mackay and its surroundings, here are a series of recommendations and common sense tips to make the most of your visit.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel to Mackay.
