Mackay Region Overview
The Mackay Region stretches from the Great Barrier Reef over tropical lowlands, across green mountain ranges and west into the Outback.
Mackay, a tropical city built beside the beautiful Pioneer River, is known as Queensland’s ‘sugar city' and is a relaxed, natural contrast to the heavily developed resort type areas in Queensland.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Mackay Region is midway between Brisbane and Cairns and makes an ideal holiday destination in its own right or as a stop over if you are travelling.
If you prefer not to drive, Mackay is easily accessible by plane, Queensland's new hi-tech Tilt Train and coach.
The region boasts over 200 km of coastline featuring superb unspoilt beaches, estuaries and creeks offering fabulous fishing opportunities.
The Great Barrier Reef and some of Queensland 's southern Whitsunday Islands are offshore including Brampton island, Lindeman and Keswick.
Mackay City
Mackay has a good variety of hotels and accommodation and all the services and amenities one would expect in a modern, thriving Queensland city.
The city centre is shaded by tropical palms and popular attractions include the Mackay Marina, the superb beaches, the modern Entertainment Centre, Artspace Mackay and Mackay Region Botanic Gardens.
Hibiscus Coast
25 kilometres north of Mackay is the Hibiscus Coast; a region of fertile sugar fields, unique mountain formations and isolated beaches.
Hibiscus Coast beaches include Pristine Seaforth and Halliday Beaches which, as they have stinger resistant nets, offer year round swimming.
They are popular with tourist and locals alike and have excellent picnic and barbecue facilities positioned at intervals along the foreshore. The nearby towns have a good selection of accommodation, cafes and restaurants.
Cape Hillsborough’s 816 hectare national park nestles into the coastline and the spectacular beach has resident kangaroos as well as rugged rocky out crops.
There is a National Park Information Centre, picnic, barbecue area, public toilets and several walking trails. The Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort offers a good range of accommodation including caravans, camping, motels and beachfront huts.
Thankyou to Mackay Tourism Limited and Mackay Port Authority for their assistance and for providing photographs used on this page. Photographs copyright Mackay Tourism Limited.
Where To Stay
Please see our Mackay accommodation listings for hotels and resorts and Backpacker accommodation for hostels.
Location
Mackay is located in the upper south east of Queensland and has a latitude of 21.1°S and a longitude of 149.2° E.
Approximate Driving Time/Distance
22Hrs From Sydney (1700Km)
28Hrs From Melbourne (2300Km) )
13Hrs From Brisbane (1000Km) )
10Hrs to Cairns (750Km)
See Route and Distance Calculator for more driving times and routes.
Mackay Climate
These figures are for guidance only:
Approximate Max Average Temperature
Max Average Temperature
Deg C/ Deg F
Winter(June-Aug):24 / 75
Spring(Sep-Nov):29 / 84
Summer(Dec-Feb):31 / 87
Autumn(Mar-May):28 / 82
Approximate Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Winter(June-Aug): 45
Spring(Sep-Nov): 46
Summer(Dec-Feb): 264
Autumn(Mar-May): 198
Queensland School & Public Holidays
New Years Day Tue 1st Jan.
Australia Day Mon 28th Jan.
Good Friday 21st March.
Easter Monday 24th March.
Anzac Day Fri 25th April.
Labour Day Mon 5th May.
Queens Birthday Holiday Mon 9th June.
Christmas Day Thu 25th Dec.
Boxing Day Holiday Fri 26th Dec.
(End and start school on preceding and next week day (Mon - Fri) respectively)
School Starts Tue 29th January
Easter Holiday 7th April To 11th April.
Winter Holiday 30th June To 11th July.
Spring Holiday 22nd Sept To 3rd Oct.
Summer Holiday 15th Dec To Jan 21st.
Daylight Saving does not operate in Queensland
Note: Dates for guidance only. Always check with your individual School as variations may occur for individual education authorities or establishments and dates may be subject to change. Always check with relevant State or Territory education department to confirm holiday periods at the commencement of each school year. Not all Public Holidays for individual regions within each state and territory are shown and public holidays falling on weekends are not listed. Not all Public Holidays may be applicable to all employers, organisations etc so always check with your employer, education authority etc which public holidays are applicable.
