Mackay

Mackay is a tropical city on the eastern coast of the Australia|Australian state of Queensland, some 900 kilometers north of the state capital Brisbane.

Travel to Mackay

By Plane

Mackay Airport (MKY) is 5km south of the downtown. QANTAS, Virgin Blue and Jetstar have frequent Flights from Brisbane. Qantaslink have services to Cairns, Townsville, and Rockhampton. / Tigerair Australia offers direct connecting Flights to Melbourne and Sydney.

By Rail

Queensland Rail has twice weekly services running from Mackay to Brisbane on the "Tilt Train"

By car

The Bruce Highway is the coastal highway between Brisbane and Cairns and passes through Mackay. The Peak Downs Highway runs from Clermont North-East to terminate in Mackay.

By Boat

Mackay has an extensive marina which is often the first stop for those exploring the whitsunday islands but no regular passenger ferries run at this time.

By bus

Greyhound buslines have regular services from Brisbane stopping at the airport and in Mackay itself on the way to Carins. Mackay Transit Coaches operates from North Mackay to South Mackay. The area with the best service coverage is Mackay CBD.

Get Around

Limited bus services run in the Mackay region. Cars can be hired from the airport.

Taxis are available from major shopping centres and individuals can call the service to be picked up from a specified destination.

Bicycles (push bikes) are a good fit for city transportation. Projects are ongoing to expand current bicycle routes, one long route exists from West of the city to the Canelands shopping area.

What to See

Harbour Beach and The Marina
Eungella National Park
Cape Hillsborough National Park
The Whitsunday Islands
Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens
Artspace Mackay
Historical Farleigh Mill - / tours run daily (Monday to Friday) during the sugar season: July - November

How to work legally in Mackay

The main industries of Mackay are coal mining and Sugar Cane, Mackay being the "Sugar Capital of Australia". Many use Mackay as a stopping point for lucrative mining work in the Bowen Basin of central Queensland.

Shopping

Mackay has two major shopping centres

Mount Pleasant Greenfields located on the Corner Phillip Street and the Bruce Highway

Mount Pleasant (affectionately known by local residents as "Mount P") contains major retailers such as

K Mart
Woolworths
Coles

Greenfields is a shopping precinct located across the road from Mount Pleasant. Occupants include:

Bunnings Warehouse
Spotlight
Sams Warehouse
Clark Rubber
Autobarn
Toys'R'Us
Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinema's

Caneland Central is undergoing expansion, it is located on Mangrove Road and includes major retailers such as

Target
Big W
Woolworths
Coles
Myer
Action
Best and Less
City Beach
Rush Surfwear
Mathers Shoes
Spend Less Shoes
Vodafone
Crazy Johns
Telstra
Optus
EB Games
Tarocash

Halal Food & Restaurants

Try the eateries at the Marina overlooking the boats - loverly cool breezies. Mid range prices.

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Comfort Resort Blue Pacific - 26 Bourke Street, Blacks Beach, Mackay 4740 ☎ +61 7 4954 9090
Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina - Mulherin Drive, Mackay ☎ +61 7 4955 9400 Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 10:00 4.5 star Mackay hotel, close to CBD, on site restaurant, buffet breakfast, room service, fitness centre, business center facilities.