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Mackay, QLD

Spectacular rainforests and national parks, secluded islands and beaches, pristine coral reefs, plentiful fishing spots, historical townships, genuine country hospitality, scenic drives, great shopping and fabulous dining. Relatively undiscovered, the Mackay Region offers a unique holiday experience that is an affordable and diverse escape from the crowds.

Mackay

Located midway between Brisbane and Cairns, the Mackay Region coastline stretches 200 kilometres north from St Lawrence to Laguna Whitsundays, and inland to the town of Clermont. The region’s rich and colourful past is economically founded upon sugar cane, mining, beef and agriculture.

The Mackay Region is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination for travellers seeking an unspoiled, friendly contrast to more developed, built destinations along the coast. Holiday-makers ‘must-sees’ include: our palm fringed city centre, set beside the mighty blue Pioneer River, the Pioneer Valley, Finch Hatton Gorge and the famous Eungella National Park. Artspace Mackay – gallery and museum, our new Regional Botanic Gardens, the impressive Mackay Marina Village, spectacular scenery of Cape Hillsborough National Park, historic seaside townships such as Sarina and Midge Point, and outback communities such as Clermont and Nebo, superb golden beaches, the Great Barrier Reef and our local islands such as Brampton and Keswick.

The region has a delightful tropical climate that is similar to that found in the Hawaiian Islands. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual as are the dress standards. Summers consist of warm, tropical weather without extreme temperatures and mild sunny winters. The average water temperature is a heavenly 22 degrees.

Like all North Queensland beaches, those in the Mackay Region can attract marine stingers and box jellyfish from October to May. To avoid danger it is recommended that you swim at patrolled beaches and/or swimming enclosures, and follow any directions from lifesavers, with regards to current conditions.

Spot the platypus!

Mackay has many natural wonders and hidden charms and one of those is the Eungella National Park.

The park is home to the rarest of creatures – the elusive platypus – a small, furry mammal with a duck-bill and webbed feet that lives in the slow moving beauty of the Broken River. It is one of only two egg laying mammals in the world. The other is the echidna.

Mackay

These shy mammals are best viewed at dusk and dawn when they are most active. You can be almost certain to see a platypus close to the Broken River bridge and camping ground. A range of tours is available to sneak a peak at this curious creature.

Eungella (pronounced “young-gulla”, meaning Land of Clouds) is Queensland’s largest rainforest national park covering nearly 500 square kilometres of the Clarke Range.

Along with the platypus, another half a dozen animals and plants are unique to Eungella. These are the Eungella honeyeater (a bird), the orange-sided skink (a lizard), the Mackay tulip oak (a tall, buttressed rainforest tree) and three species of frog including the Eungella gastric brooding frog.

The park is well-known for its beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear streams and creeks and quaint townships. Bushwalking trails wander though lush rainforest to spectacular mountain lookouts atop the 1280 metre Mount Dalrymple. Other attractions include Finch Hatton Gorge with its wonderful swimming hole and the nearby Araluen Falls and Wheel of Fire Falls.

Nearest Airport: Mackay

About Mackay

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains