Mackay Things to Do

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This lovely beach is about a 3/4 hour drive from Mackay and is well worth the drive.

Along the expanse of open beach there is a variety of caves, rock pools and geological structures to explore.

Another intriguing aspect of this area is the local kangaroo population that regularly sunbakes on the beach. They are quite tame and can be patted though it is advised that they are wild creatures with varying personalities so it is best to be careful when around them. Yes, kangaroos do bite!

Bush walking is another popular activity. An award winning Environmental Walk takes you from the beach and meanders up the hillside to various lookouts.

At the Cape Hillsborough Resort there is a variety of accommodation to choose from. Cabins, a variety of beach huts and villas plus camping and caravanning. Amenities include a camp kitchen, laundry, BBQs, pool, a shop and lots more.

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Seaforth lies about 40 kilometres north of Mackay and has been one of the more popular beaches and day trip destinations for years. Facilities at this quaint beach community include a swimming enclosure, bowls club, nice park like surroundings and a large and well maintained caravan park right on the beach. There are also public toilets and showers.
There is the convenience of a shop where you can buy anything from an icecreams, take away food, souvenirs, bait and tackle etc.
Don't forget the usual long sandy beach, palm trees and exotic bird life.
Sunday morning markets offer local craft and produce from 8.30 to 11.30.
Nearby Victor creek and it’s boat ramp are also very popular with the local fishermen.

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Each Sunday morning the City Heart comes alive with colourful stalls, rides, music and entertainment.
You can find all sorts of merchandise for sale. Local fruit and vegetables, jewellery, handicrafts, flowers, cakes, pot plants, art and cosmetics etc.
The Mackay Pipe Band usually put on a performance and there is always some form of entertainment playing in rotunda.

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The Mackay Botanical Gardens are a relatively new addition to the town. Built only about 2 years ago they still have alot of 'growing' to do. It's a nice place to take a stroll and there is a coffee shop with a balcony over looking the 'lagoons' waterway.

If you head south you can explore the meandering paths that take you through a small forest complete with a flowing stream. Further down is the large grass Islander Hut.

Once upon a time this was simply called 'The Harbour' and it was a pretty enough place in it's own way. Now it is called the Marina and it is gorgeous! A whole new harbour was built. A long wall that you can drive along protects the many boats and yachts from the elements. The coast line now boasts condos which have sprouted up in no time. Along the shore front there is a nice landscaped walkway with numerous eateries and pubs. It truly is a nice place to enjoy a meal or a drink.
Try Sachmo's, The Light House or The Deck to name a few.

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I booked my tour through the Larrikin Lodge YHA, costing AU$59. We left at 11.30am and passed by the sugar cane factories and Nelli Melbas' old house and some traditional Queenslander houses, all the time with the driver telling us what we were passing.
We had a pie stop at a bar and then drove into the Eungalla National Park, of course it started to rain but the driver had plenty of umbrellas to share, we had a lovely walk through the rainforest there.
We saw Argluen Falls, some people were even brave enough to swim. We walked along Broken River and there's professionl spotters there, with walkie talkies to tell everyone where the platypus are!
We saw a father, mother and children, all at different times, they got very close to the viewing point we chose, if only I had a camera with zoom.
Ooh toilet facilites here are nasty, I've been to some plesant holes in the ground but this one stank!
There was also a small tourist shop and museum at the site.
We got dropped off around 18.30.
A great day out, I always wanted to see these creatures in the wild and I did.

More to see around the Pioneer Valley... Walkerston would be the largest township in the Mackay region. About 2.5 thousand inhabitants and with a nice country 'feel'. Only about 10 kilometers from town [ Mackay ] it has a variety of shops and businesses.

Our new Woolworths supermarket has been a huge bonus to the locals. Walkerston is a fast growing area due to the new coal mines opening up out west.

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Just outside Walkerston is Greenmount Homestead. Originally owned by the Cook family and now a museum. The house was built in 1915 by Albert Cook who settled in the area and bred the first Aberdeen Angus cattle in Queensland.
Captain John Mackay [ Founder of the town of Mackay ] named the property when he camped on the sight in 1862.
Inside, household paraphenalia from 3 generations of the Cook family are on show.
Furniture, carpets, crockery, even dresses worn in that period are displayed throughout the house.
The homestead was left to the Mackay Historical Society by Tom and Dorothy Cook.

Residents of the suburb of Slade Point have this lovely beach at their disposal.

Only about a ten minute drive from the city heart it has lovely views out onto the islands and is popular with families and walkers.

It is pronounced... i - me -o, is about 7 kilometres from Mackay and is one of a string of beaches to the North.
It is in a pretty bay with lots of shady trees on the esplanade and it is a popular place for outriggers.