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Mackay
There really is something for everyone in Mackay, with an array of natural wonders and other attractions in close proximity to the city. Art The $3.2million Artspace Mackay, in Gordon Street, incorporates an international standard exhibition gallery, a permanent social history display, a seminar room and Foodspace cafe opening onto a park. Regular art classes in a variety of mediums are also held at the Town Hall in Sydney Street. Contact Artspace Mackay on +61 (7) 4957 1775 for details. Beaches The Mackay district has many beaches where you’re sure to find a quiet stretch of sand to call your own. Harbour Beach is patrolled throughout the year, with surf lifesavers also present at Lamberts, Eimeo and Blacks Beaches during holiday periods. Other popular beaches include:
Mackay boasts one of the highest rates of boat ownership in Queensland and a range of boating options. Some service stations and marine operators hire out small vessels and there are numerous creeks, rivers and dams throughout the district offering protected boating for those not wanting to venture out to sea. For those keen to head offshore there are numerous islands that make interesting destinations while also providing protection from rough weather and the opportunity for camping (see the section on National Parks). Mackay also has a 500-berth marina facility with mega-berths capable of holding vessels over 100 feet. Botanic Gardens The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens are located at the Lagoons, off Nebo Road. Camping Council operates camping reserves at Seaforth, Ball Bay and St Helens Beach. A fee is charged for camping in such reserves. A number of private camping facilities also operate in the area. Contact the Mackay Tourism Limited for further details. Cinemas Mackay has two major cinema complexes. These are located in Gordon Street and at the Greenfields shopping precinct at Mt Pleasant. Call +61 (7) 4942 4066 for session details or visit www.birch.com.au Craft Local craft is featured at stores throughout the district including Homebush Pottery and the Wood Chook Gallery in Sydney Street, Mackay. Greenmount Historic Greenmount Homesteadat Walkerston was the first property in the district and offers visitors a taste of years gone by. Hay Point/Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminals The Bowen Basin, west of Mackay, is one of Australia’s premier coal producing regions with coal sent to ports around the world through the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay Coal terminals. These terminals are located south of Mackay and have nearby lookouts. Fishing Mackay has earned a reputation as one of the State’s premier fishing destinations and offers countless opportunities for anglers. The region is acknowledged as the Sooty Grunter capital of the state and also offers up good catches of Barramundi, Mackerel, Trevally, Whiting, Bream, Queen Fish, crabs and reef fish such as Coral Trout and Red Emperor. Throw in a line at one of the many creeks, rivers or dams or try your luck at the beach. Alternatively, you can join a fishing charter and head to the reefs offshore. Heritage Walks Mackay has a rich history, which is still evident today in its remaining historic buildings, memorials, cemeteries and other historical sites. A brochure providing a self-guided heritage walk through the city is available from tourist information services and the Mackay City Council Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building in Gordon Street. A Heritage Walk guide to Mackay Cemetery is also available. Hibiscus Coast The Hibiscus Coast district is located about 30minutes to the north of Mackay city and features the natural beauty of Cape Hillsborough National Park along with wonderful seaside townships such as Seaforth, Halliday Bay and Ball Bay. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, great fishing and the sight of kangaroos on the beach. See Mackay Tourism Limited for further details. Islands Numerous islands are located off the Mackay coast, including the Newry Island Group, the Cumberland Group, the Lindeman Group, and the Whitsunday Islands to the north. Islands that are a short trip from Mackay include Round Top, Flat Top, Keswick, St Bees, Scawfell, Brampton, Goldsmith and Carlisle Islands. Those wanting to soak up some island magic can take a day tour, hire a boat and explore on their own or even catch a charter flight. Several islands boast resorts but most are uninhabited National Parks. Camping is allowed on some islands with permits available from the Environment Protection Agency – Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Live Entertainment The Mackay Entertainment Centre in Gordon Street hosts a wide range of live shows. Markets
Mackay services an array of mining towns located several hours’ drive to the city’s west in the Bowen Basin. Some mines offer tours of their facilities – contact the Mackay Tourism Limited for details. Music The Mackay Entertainment Centre hosts many musical performers, as do many Mackay hotels. The Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music Mackay, located at Planlands, also regularly showcases local and visiting musicians. Check The Daily Mercury for performance times or visit our Whatﾒs On section. National Parks Mackay is located within close proximity to a number of beautiful National Parks. These include Eungella National Park, Cape Hillsborough, Cape Palmerston and Keswick, Carlisle, Brampton and Scawfell Islands. Contact the Mackay Tourism Limited or Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services for full details. Orchid House Mackay City Council’s Orchid House, located in Queen’s Park, has over 3000 specimens on display. Parks Mackay City Council maintains many parks, which offer a wide range of facilities. Pioneer Valley The picturesque Pioneer Valley is one of Australia’s richest sugar cane growing areas and features many quaint townships including Pleystowe, Marian, Mirani, Gargett, Pinnacle, Finch Hatton and Netherdale. Take a leisurely drive and visit the former home of famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, wander around the Mirani Museum, or enjoy one of Wendy’s homemade pies at the Pinnacle Hotel. A free self-drive map of the Pioneer Valley is available from Mackay Tourism Limited. Rainforest Eungella National Park, about 60 minute’s drive from Mackay city, covers 51,700 hectares and boasts Australia’s largest stretch of sub-tropical rainforest. It has over 20 kilometres of walking tracks, which feature spectacular views. This National Park is famous for its population of platypuses, which are frequently seen in the waterways. Contact Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services for further details. Water sports The many reefs that dot the Mackay coastline offer wonderful opportunities for snorkelling and diving. Ask at your accommodation house for good local spots or check with Mackay Tourism Limited for commercial operators running snorkelling and diving trips. Jet skis, surf skis and windsurfers are also available for hire from local resorts. The district’s dams are also popular with water skiers. Sport Mackay’s wonderful climate is suitable for a wide variety of sports. As a result the city has produced many sporting stars including Cathy Freeman (world champion - athletics), Geoff Huegill (world champion - swimming) and Wendell Sailor (Australian Rugby League and Australian Rugby Union representative). Try a round of golf at the Mackay, Mirani or Black Springs golf courses or head north to Laguna Quays Resort’s award winning Turtle Point Golf Course. There are also a multitude of indoor sport facilities, bowls clubs and other sporting venues throughout the city which welcome visitors and spectators. Check Mackay’s daily newspaper The Daily Mercury for sporting details. Sugar Mill Tours Mackay is Australia’s premier sugar-producing region. Some sugar mills offer tours at selected times of the year. Contact the Mackay Tourism Limited for details. Swimming Mackay’s quiet waters offer good swimming at most beaches, but suitable precautions must be taken when swimming in the ocean during the stinger season. Patrolled beaches (listed above) are monitored for stingers and closed should any be detected. Swimming enclosures are also located at some beaches, including Bucasia. Council operates two public swimming poolslocated on Milton Street in the city, and the corner of Malcomson and Glenpark Street, North Mackay. Finch Hatton and the network of streams, creeks and waterholes in the Pioneer Valley also offer freshwater swimming opportunities.
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