Tours and Attractions Australia & New Zealand

The Top Things To Do In Mackay

Located in North Queensland, Mackay is a picturesque city surrounded by 31 beautiful beaches and luscious rainforest, all in close proximity to the world famous Great Barrier Reef. While not the largest city on the popular Queensland tourist route, Mackay is loved by those who like to travel off the beaten track. With a range of things to do to occupy and delight those who make the effort to visit this tropical locale, you’ll be tickled pink by the selection of activities on offer in Mackay.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD

Mackay is a growing and upcoming city located on north Queensland’s east coast, known for its mixture of beaches, rainforest and cane fields - as a result, there is a diverse range of things to see and do around the region.

Exploring Mackay as a tourist is one thing - but exploring it with insight from a local who grew up in this part of Queensland is another entirely, and having spent much of my youth here, that's exactly what I'm going to give you!

Here, I've put together a list of my top 10 things to see and do in Mackay and around the region from my 18 years of knowledge from living in the area.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Whitehaven Beach Ocean Rafting Adventures

1. Whitehaven Beach Ocean Rafting Adventures

Combine two separate Whitsundays ocean rafting tours into one great value package with this combined tour that features both the Southern and Northern tours, making for an epic Whitsundays extravaganza including a range of snorkelling experiences,

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Finch Hatton Gorge

2. Finch Hatton Gorge

Location: Eungella National Park, Eungella

A popular walking track and swimming hole, Finch Hatton Gorge is often filled with locals and tourists enjoying the fresh water and beautiful scenery.

Located in the luscious Eungella National Park, you can walk the 1.6 kilometre trail from the picnic area to Araluen Waterfall, which is the closest and most popular swimming hole.

Eungella National Park is a picturesque location hidden away from the Airlie Beach tourist hub and is the perfect escape amongst nature and wildlife. With over 860 plant species and a variety wildlife- the Eungella is a great place to set the reset button.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, you can climb the following 1.4 kilometre uphill trail to the Wheel of Fire Cascades to enjoy the second swimming hole in the region.

An ideal day trip for those looking to escape the city, you can enjoy hiking, swimming and a picnic all in the one, beautiful location. In terms of facilities, the gorge offers barbecue and picnic facilities and onsite car parking.

Note: Swimming isn’t advised after heavy rainfall, visitors urged to take care in the park.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Tour the Sarina Sugar Shed Tour

3. Tour the Sarina Sugar Shed Tour

Location: Farleigh Mill, 49 Christoe Street, Farleigh, QLD

For many years Mackay has been known as one of the biggest sugar cane regions in the country. All you have to do is drive around the outskirts of the city and you’ll lose count of how many cane fields you see.

The region is also home to a number of sugar cane mills, with a small handful still in operation and open to tourists to explore. Farleigh Mill is a short 15 minute drive from Mackay CBD along the Bruce Highway, and during the crushing season offers tours of the mill.

While touring a sugar mill might not be the first thing you think of doing while on holiday, the Sarina Sugar Shed tour is quite informative and interesting for both children and adults alike.

Local tour operator Reeforest Adventure Tours will take you on an adventure into the mill to see and learn about the crushing process.

Running seven days a week, June to mid November from 8:30am, this tour is great for families and those interested in the cane growing industry.

Note: Children must be over 1.2 metres tall to join tour and must hold their parent/guardian’s hands at all times.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Dine at Eungella National Park

4. Dine at Eungella National Park

Location: Eungella Hinterland, Eungella, QLD

A rich, luscious rainforest, Eungella National Park offers visitors a contrasting adventure to the region’s popular beaches.

Featuring a number of walking trails and swimming holes home to local platypus, Eungella offers a beautiful location to sit back, relax and enjoy a bite to eat.

Head outdoors and enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Eungella. With various picnic facilities located throughout the park you can bring your own food or dine at one of the local establishments nestled in the rainforest.

With various picnic facilities located throughout the park you can bring your own food or dine at one of the local establishments nestled in the rainforest.

Eungella Chalet lets you enjoy a meal while overlooking the Hinterland, the Platypus Lodge Restaurant offers breakfast next to wild platypus and Broken River Mountain Resort with their old-time feel and mixed cuisine.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Lamberts Lookout

5. Lamberts Lookout

Location: Pacific Esplanade, Slade Point

Offering incredible views over Lamberts Beach, the Cumberland Islands and Slade Point, Lamberts Lookout is a popular viewing platform year round.

Often drawing crowds at sunrise and sunset, the lookout features a number of useful facilities including shaded areas, picnic tables and barbecues.

Lamberts Lookout is an ideal viewing platform to see humpback whales during their migration period as they play off the coast. You could spend hours here staring out into the ocean searching for these playful marine creatures.

No matter when you visit, you’ll be treated to impressive views of this popular region. Drive up to the lookout, walk around or enjoy a picnic, whichever way you choose to enjoy the lookout, you’ll be blown away by the beautiful sights.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Fish and Chips at Mackay Marina

6. Fish and Chips at Mackay Marina

Location: Mulherin Drive, Mackay Harbour, QLD

As with many other coastal cities, Mackay Marina forms a focal point for sightseeing and activity as well as simple boat traffic. Local eatery The Lighthouse cooks up a delicious feast of fish and chips. From your basic combo to overflowing fish burgers, seafood lovers will be well in their element at this local establishment.

You can dine-in in their indoor and outdoor seating areas or you can order takeaway and drive out onto the breakwater to enjoy your meal just off the shore.

The breakwater is a popular fishing spot as well with locals scurrying across the rocks and throwing in a line to catch their own dinner.

There's nothing more Australian than stopping to have fish and chips by the beach in the warm sun with the ocean breeze in your hair and the glare of the turquoise blue waters so bright that it makes your eyes hurt.

You can walk or drive out on the breakwater as there is a small amount of parking available.

If you’re wanting to save a bit of money, you can BYO a picnic to enjoy on the other end of the Marina either on the beach or on one of the sheltered picnic tables.

Offering various facilities including barbecues, toilets, showers and a large grassed area, you could easily spend the whole day in this popular area running between the patrolled surf and the sand.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Bluewater Lagoon

7. Bluewater Lagoon

Location: 32 River Street, Mackay

A popular and safe place to cool down from the muggy Mackay heat, the Bluewater Lagoon is a free attraction suitable for a range of ages and swimming abilities.

Made up of three tiered pools equalling the area of three 50 metre swimming pools, you can choose from the deeper pools or kids pools depending on your swimming ability.

The Lagoon also has a 19.5 metre slide that, during the summer months, creates a line of excited visitors.

The Bluewater Lagoon is a popular place to cool down from the humid Mackay heat and it is free entry! The leisure pool had three-tiered pools and a kid's play area for you to have fun in the sun.

The kid’s play area is another popular area as it features a water playground complete with a large tipping bucket.

With the pools reaching depths of up to 1.8 metres, the lagoon is patrolled by on-duty lifeguards Monday to Friday during operation hours to ensure the safety of all swimmers.

The lagoon is open at 9am until 4:45pm from May to August, and 9am until 5:45pm from September to April.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Bluewater Trail

8. Bluewater Trail

Location: Mackay, CBD, QLD

Looping around the river, the Bluewater Trail is a scenic and relaxing walking and cycling trail. Linking some of the city’s main recreational attractions including the Bluewater Quay, Bluewater Lagoon, Botanic Gardens and Iluka Park all-abilities playground.

The trail also links some of the scenic walks in the region such as the Catherine Freeman Walk, Pioneer Environmental Walk, Sandfly Creek Environmental Walk and Ocean Way all along the river.

The trail also links some of the scenic walks in the region such as the Catherine Freeman Walk, Pioneer Environmental Walk, Sandfly Creek Environmental Walk and Ocean Way all along the river.

Traversing boardwalks, pathways and mangrove environments, the Bluewater Trail is often used by local running groups and fun runs.

Come weekends, parts of the trail are often busy with two-way foot and wheel traffic. A great way to explore the riverfront precinct, no matter if you’re walking or cycling, this trail is an enjoyable and scenic journey.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Enjoy a "Pinnacle Pie"

9. Enjoy a "Pinnacle Pie"

Location: Mackay, CBD, QLD

The trail also links some of the scenic walks in the region such as the Catherine Freeman Walk, Pioneer Environmental Walk, Sandfly Creek Environmental Walk and Ocean Way all along the river.

A Pinnacle Pie and pastries have become somewhat of an Australian tourist icon. Stop by the Pinnacle Hotel for a pie and a pot of beer. Could there be anything Australian pastime more authentically Australian?

Traversing boardwalks, pathways and mangrove environments, the Bluewater Trail is often used by local running groups and fun runs.

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD - Cape Hillsborough

10. Cape Hillsborough

Location: Cape Hillsborough Rd, Cape Hillsborough, QLD

An iconic attraction in the Mackay region, Cape Hillsborough is a popular destination for wildlife lovers. The National Park is filled with local wildlife, including wallabies and kangaroos, who are friendly and inquisitive visiting humans every day at the beach.

Gracing the beach at dawn and dusk, visitors are often approached by these photogenic Aussie icons are sure brighten up your day.

Cape Hillsborough National Park also offers a number of scenic walking trails as well as picnic facilities to use free of charge.

Make sure you bring insect repellent on your visit as the sandflies and mosquitoes have a strong presence in the region.

Getting to the Park can be a pain if you don’t have access to a car as it is located around 40 minutes north of Mackay. However, local operator Reeforest Adventure Tours offers tours to Cape Hillsborough as part of their Northern Safari.

The Top Things To Do In Mackay

Whitehaven Beach Southern Lights Tour

Whitehaven Beach Northern Exposure Tour

60 Minute Whitsunday Flight and Southern Lights Rafting Package

60 Minute Whitsunday Flight and Northern Exposure Rafting Package

Whitehaven Beach Southern Lights and Northern Exposure Combo

Airlie Beach up to 8,500ft Tandem Skydive

Airlie Beach up to 15,000ft Tandem Skydive

Full Day Whitsundays Speedboat Tour

Summertime Sail & Kayak Day Trip

WILD LIFE Hamilton Island General Admission

Breakfast with Koalas at WILD LIFE Hamilton Island

Whitsundays Segway Rainforest Discovery Tour

Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour including Dinner

Airlie Beach Half Day Fishing Charter

Full Day Fishing Charter including Lunch

Sarina Sugar Shed Tour with Produce Tasting

1.5 Hour Jet Ski Tour of Airlie Beach & Pioneer Bay

2 Hour South Molle and Whitsunday Island Jet Ski Safari

The Top 10 Things to do in Mackay, QLD