Mackay is a spectacular contrast of natural wonders and man-made attractions.

Situated at the heart of Queensland’s coastline – flanked to the east by the Great Barrier Reef – the region showcases spectacular rainforests, tranquil sandy beaches, rugged bushland, tropical islands and coral reefs teaming with exotic marine life.

Enjoying a year-round near-perfect climate Mackay complements a laidback lifestyle with cosmopolitan culture. The city’s urban landscape buzzes with alfresco dining, world-class shopping and family facilities such as the Bluewater Lagoon.

Mackay Information

Population: Approx 80,000
Time Zone: GMT +10
Languages: English (official)
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Order your travelers cheques and cash through our partner AMEX.
Electricity: 220 – 240v 50Hz

Mackay Climate

Mackay has a tropical climate. Summers are hot and wet, with some relief from regular afternoon sea breezes. Temperatures typically sit between 23°C and 30°C during the summer months. Winter is generally warm and sunny, dipping cooler over night. Winter temperatures sit between 12°C and 22°C. Rainfall is most common during late summer and early autumn. Cyclones can affect the region from December through to April.

• View local weather forecast for your holiday

Mackay Airport

Name: Mackay airport
Address: Boundary Rd, Mackay QLD 4740
Website: www.mackayports.com/airport
Distance to city: 4 Kms
Opening Hours: Check-in counters are manned 90 minutes before and 30 minutes after flight departure, and staff are available at these times to process bookings and changes.

Mackay Transport

Car hire: Great choice of hire cars at mates rates from our car suppliers
Taxi: Journey time 5 – 10 minutes, cost approx $10 - There is Mackay Taxis & Whitsunday Taxis on 131 008. There is also Taxis Mackay on 07 4944 4930
Bus: Regular shuttle bus services are available, for further details call 1300 130 001
Parking: Short and long term parking available, refer inquiries to Mackay Aviation Services on (07) 4952 6422. 

Don’t forget your travel insurance!

Best Western Reef Resort

4 Star Property

The Best Western Reef Resort is a spectacular resort offering four-star accommodation in Mackay, as well as conference / meeting facilities and wedding packages. Guests staying in Mackay will be able to enjoy the white sandy beaches, Botanic Gardens, Bluewater Trail and art-deco architecture.

Comfort Inn The Rose

The suites in the Comfort Inn The Rose Motel are airy and comfortable with modern furnishings. All rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite bathrooms featuring Mediterranean style deluxe rooms.

Comfort Inn Marco Polo

4 Star Property

Comfort Inn Marco Polo Mackay is a family owned and operated 38 room Motel on Nebo Road and is a 5 minute drive to the CBD. Our four STAR accommodation includes Executive Spa Suites, Family rooms and a Honeymoon Suite.

Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina

4 Star Property

The Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina is considered Mackay's leading hotel and strives to continually improve services to provide you with a true Clarion class of hospitality. With a range of thoughtfully designed accommodation with private balconies offering ocean or Marina Village views and a waterfront restaurant.

Dining

Relaxed and picturesque Mackay is a vibrant regional centre with the charm of a seaside town. Mackay's dining scene is focused around the city centre and the north side’s marina, and features a number of first-rate restaurants, taverns and cafes – diverse enough to please an extensive array of palates and budgets.

The marina precinct presents a wide range of excellent restaurants and active nightspots. The harbour is a thriving tourism hub, lined with an all-embracing selection of dining establishments that represent food cultures from all over the globe – including Thai, Japanese, Singaporean, Italian, Irish and modern Australian.

Downtown, fronting onto the Pioneer River, MacKay’s dining scene comes to life with a number of contemporary eateries and drinking holes. Burp Eat Drink, on Wood Street, offers a menu aptly designed for the casual diner. Sorbello's Italian Restaurant is regarded as one of the oldest and best places to eat in town. A local favourite, Global Burgers offers 11 different types of burgers, touching on flavours from all over the world. While a number of well-known chains provide cheap and quick meals for the busy tourist.

Despite its nature as a relaxed and small city, Mackay also has a fun-loving, party vibe, and comes alive after dark with a host of clubs, pubs, bars and coffee houses. Take a stroll along Victoria Street to discover Mackay’s favourite after-hour haunts.

Shopping

Mackay hosts more than 400 speciality stores, mainly located in three main shopping areas: Caneland Shoppingtown, Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre and the city centre.

Mackay’s city centre bursts with shopping opportunities. Over 250 shops and service providers, including major banks, department stores and hotels, call downtown home. Spend a day wandering Victoria and Wood streets, and discover hundreds of retailers, offering everything from exclusive fashion, jewellery and accessories, through to unique homewares and gifts.

As the largest shopping centre in the Mackay region, Caneland Central is home to over 230 stores. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the centre offers a wide variety of stores and services, hosting major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles, department stores like Myer and Target, and more than 110 specialty shops including notable names like Big W, JB Hi Fi and Best & Less.

Mount Pleasant Greenfields Shopping Centre is the north side’s go-to for shopping, catering for the area’s growing population. The sub-regional shopping centre features big name grocery and shopping outlets, plus over 70 specialty stores.

Arts and crafts are a jewel in the Central Queensland Coast’s retail crown, and are of a particularly high standard throughout the Mackay region. Craft stores, pottery barns, galleries and art service provider can be found in the city centre and the northern beaches and in outlining regional areas such as Homebush, North Eton and Eungella.