Flights to Mackay (MKY)

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Flights to Mackay information

Staged on the vast sugar cane plantation-covered land owned by the Yuibera people, Mackay is a tropical gem and thriving regional hub.

Home to 31 pristine beaches, wildlife experiences, and the natural beauty of Eungella National Park and Finch Hatton Gorge. Mackay also has UNESCO World Heritage Great Barrier Reef on her doorstep and is a gateway to the iconic Whitsunday Islands.

Book flights to Mackay with Virgin Australia and discover this understated tropical gem for yourself.


Slade Point Mackay on a stunning day

When is the best time of year to fly to Mackay?


The best time to book your holiday in Mackay is Spring (March to May) when its mostly dry. It’s the ideal time to explore the many outdoor activities on offer including a visit to the beaches and joining one of the many locally run tours, such as Taste of Sugar Tour.

During the summer months (December to February) the average daytime temperature sits around 30 degrees, and it’s also the wet season which includes daily rainfall and high humidity.

Winter (June to August) is sunny, dry, and comfortably cooler, with temperatures sitting around 23 degrees. Book your ticket in advance if looking to fly in July – it’s peak time with the City both host to Mackay Festival of Arts, but also from July (through to September) welcoming the whales with the migration season.

A stunning day on a Mackay beach

What are the top attractions in Mackay?

Mackay offers more than meets the eye – Art Deco walks in the CBD, unspoilt beaches, the stunning Eungella National Park, and an understated arts scene.


Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens

An easy 3km from central Mackay you’ll discover Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens, sprawled over 33 hectares and boasting six themed gardens featuring native plants, walking trails, a playground, and a café.


Pioneer Valley and Eungella National Park

An hour’s drive west of Mackay and you’ve reached nature’s finest. Put on your trail shoes and explore the wonder of Pioneer Valley and Eungella National Park – Australia’s oldest stretch of sub-tropical rainforest spanning 51,700 hectares.

Within Pioneer Valley there is 22 kilometres of well-formed walking tracks, accessing you to the Wheel of Fire waterfalls, Finch Gatton Gorge and Araulen Cascades – then walk the banks of Broken River to Eungella to catch a sighting of the platypus.


Great Barrier Reef

Located just off the coast of Mackay lies the middle of the expansive Great Barrier Reef, offering great snorkelling and visibility of the most beautiful coral reef and reef fish.


Artspace Mackay

A must-visit contemporary art gallery in the heart of Mackay, showcasing work from both local and visiting artists, including pieces by the Indigenous Lockhart River Art Gang.


Mackay Laneway Project

Mackay Laneway Project is part of the City’s Art Walk. Pick up a brochure from the tourist information centre, then using the downloaded Zappar app discover the city’s collection of art and creative projects.


Bluewater Lagoon

A great place for families, Bluewater Lagoon is a three-tiered man-made lagoon backing on to Pioneer River. Explore the kids’ play areas and water slides, and either grab a bite to eat at the café or bring food from the fresh produce markets and have a picnic.


Mackay Marina

Gateway to the Southern Whitsundays, Mackay Marina is a great spot to wine and dine with a waterfront view, picnic in the park, or do a spot of fishing.


Mackay Beaches

Mackay has a whopping 31 white sandy beaches, the closest, Harbour Beach, just 5 minutes from the City Centre. An easy 20-minute drive from Mackay’s CBD and you’ll reach the tropical haven of Mackay’s Northern Beaches. Enjoy a swim at Black’s Beach - a 6km span of golden beaches, and at Eimeo Beach nestled in Sunset Bay.


Mackay City Walks and Tours

Make a visit to the tourist information centre and be guided by the passionate volunteers on the walks - Mackay City Heritage, Art Deco, and Eat Mackay.

There’s also a great range of ticketed tours you can book - including Taste of Sugar Tour; Hands on Brewing Experience; and Reef, Wildlife and Rainforest tour - showcasing the Great Barrier Reef.

Cafe options abound in Mackay

Where to eat in Mackay?


Mackay offers a range of dining experiences in and around the CBD, from Devonshire tea at The Old Station Teahouse to Austral Hotel and Steakhouse offering quality and value meals.


Where to find the best Cafes?

Mackay’s cafes are scattered across the City Centre, northern beaches, inner suburbs, and at the Marina. For a coffee with an incredible view plan a trip to Platypus Lodge Restaurant and Cafe.

In the city heart make your way to The Grazing Goat Café – offering a healthy menu to suit all dietary requirements, acclaimed 9th Lane Grind - for delicious creative food and Grinders Coffee, or Woodman’s Axe Espresso offering a healthy artisan menu (including vegan options).


Where to find the best food markets?

Mackay locals love their markets, you’ll find everything from organic produce to bric-a-brac.

Experience the Mackay Showgrounds Market trading on Saturday morning for everything from fresh produce to craft; River Street Twilight Market – monthly night markets at Bluewater Quay on the Pioneer River, selling everything from retro fashion, bric-a-brac to baked goods; and the Troppo Treasure Market – a true trash ‘n’ treasure market with a bit of everything - food and drinks, buskers, and kids’ entertainment including go-carts and a jumping castle.


Frequently asked questions

The average flight time to Mackay from Australia’s major cities is typically under 5 hours, with a direct flight from Brisbane, and stopovers involved for all other cities.

Brisbane to Mackay - 1h 40min
Canberra to Mackay - from 3h 50minˇ
Sydney to Mackay - from 4h 10minˇ
Melbourne to Mackay - 4h 14minˇ
Adelaide to Mackay - from 4h 55minˇ
Hobart to Mackay - from 5h 20minˇ
Gold Coast to Mackay - 6h 25minˇ
Perth to Mackay - from 7h 10minˇ

ˇ includes stopover.

Virgin Australia flies into Mackay Airport (MKY), located 11km from Mackay CBD and Harbour.

Transport options to Mackay CBD include public bus services with TransLink, taxi / rideshare, and car hire. There are also private transfers to Airlie Beach with M&T Charters.

Bus Transfer

Currently a trial public bus service, Translink offer transfers between Mackay Airport and Mackay City, South Mackay and Paget. Make your way outside the terminal for the 303 service, operating 6 days from Monday through to Saturday.

If travelling to Airlie Beach, contact M&T Charters to make your private transfer booking.

Taxi / Rideshare

You can also access taxis and book rideshare services when you arrive at Mackay airport – the operators in Mackay are Ola and Shebah. Request the ride share through your preferred app and your driver will meet you at the designated pick up area, the coach bay area outside baggage claim. The taxi rank is located outside the terminal, simply follow the signage inside the airport.

Transfer cost guide:

  • Taxi and rideshare: pricing varies depending on the vehicle type, travel time and distance – approximately $14-$17 one-way for this 5-minute journey
  • Translink bus: applicable zone fee applies – 8-minute journey

Read more in our Mackay Airport Guide.

Packing for your trip to Mackay depends on how much adventure you’re looking to pack in.

With Mackay’s sub-tropical climate and many humid days, we suggest that you pack light comfortable, casual clothes such as shorts, t-shirts, singlets, havaianas, and swimwear. Like most tropical destinations the vibe is casual, so you won’t need anything too dressy.

A light rain jacket is essential during the summer months, and a light jacket if visiting in winter.

Don’t forget your sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. The other hot tip is to bring your own eco-friendly water bottle. Pack your hiking shoes too if you’re planning to do any national park walks.

Related Flights

*Fare terms and conditions

Fare prices on this page have been collected within the last 4hrs from virginaustralia.com and may no longer be available at time of booking. Payment surcharges and additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.

Domestic fares: Prices are based on a one-way Economy Lite, Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia (or operated by a partner airline for Virgin Australia). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Payment surcharge may apply. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Economy Lite fares are not recommended if you require flexibility with your travel as cancellations are not permitted and you may need to pay a fee and any fare difference to make a change. For other Economy fare types, a fee and fare difference may be payable for changing or cancelling your booking. For Business fares, changes incur any applicable fare difference. See Virgin Australia’s domestic Fees page (www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/domestic/) for details. Refunds are not permitted for Economy Lite and Choice fares if you cancel your booking. Refunds are permitted for Economy Flex fares on payment of a fee. Refunds are permitted for Business fares. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and other limitations may apply to these flights. Full T&Cs www.virginaustralia.com

International short haul (including Tasman) fares: Prices are based on a one way or return Economy Lite, Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia (or operated by a partner airline for Virgin Australia). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Payment surcharge may apply. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Economy Lite fares are not recommended if you require flexibility with your travel as cancellations are not permitted and you may need to pay a fee and any fare difference to make a change. For other fare types, a fee and fare difference may be payable for changing your booking. See Virgin Australia’s international Fees page for details (for Trans-Tasman: www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/trans-tasman/ or for other short haul destinations: www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/short-haul-international/). Refunds are not permitted for Economy Lite and Choice fares if you cancel your booking. Refunds are permitted for Economy Flex fares on payment of a fee. Refunds are permitted for Business fares. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and other limitations may apply to these flights. Full T&Cs atwww.virginaustralia.com

International long haul fares: Prices are based on a return Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed by Virgin Australia (operated by a partner airline). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Payment surcharge may apply. Fare inclusions (like different baggage allowances), and change and cancellation fare rules will be different depending on the partner airline operating your flight. See Virgin Australia’s fares pages for information about fees and charges you may incur when you change or cancel your fare operated by a partner airline (https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/flying-with-us/fare-types/international-fares/partner-fares/). You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Full T&Cs at www.virginaustralia.com

^On sale until 19 Dec 2024 unless sold out prior. Subject to regulatory approval and availability. Payment surcharge may apply. Travel dates and T&Cs apply.