Mackay [1] is a city on the eastern coast of the Australian state of Queensland, some 900 km north of the state capital Brisbane.

Understand

Be warned that Mackay has the very worst drivers in all of Australia, so be carefull with your combie. The roads are equally as bad as the local drivers so a suspension check after a weeks vacation would be advised. Although the locals seem friendly and laid back that still think it is two decades earlier and can be very skeptical of strangers. But smile, offer a beer and you should find a place to sleep (perhaps even a warm bed!).

Get in

By plane

QANTAS, Virgin Blue and Jetstar have frequent flights from Brisbane to Mackay.

By train

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

By car

Highway #1 The Bruce Highway passes directly through Mackay.

By bus

By boat

Get around

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

Taxies are avaliable from major shopping centers and individuals can call the service to be picked up from a specified destination.

See

• Harbour Beach and The Marina

• Eungella National Park

• Cape Hilsborough 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

Do

Drink, with over 2 dozen pubs within the heart of the city and more surrounding it. You can always find a place to roll out of.

Learn

Work

The main industries of Mackay are coal mining and Sugar Cane, Mackay being the "Sugar Capital of Australia"

Buy

Mackay has two major shopping centres

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

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

• K Mart
• Woolworths
• Coles
• House
• Jay Jays
• Loot Homewares

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

• Bunnings
• Warehouse
• Spotlight
• Toys'R'Us
• Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinema's

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• Caneland Central is located on Mangrove Road and includes major retailers such as
• Target
• Big W
• Woolworths
• Action
• Best and Less
• City Beach
• Rush Surfwear
• Mathers Shoes
• Spend Less Shoes
• Vodafone
• Crazy Johns
• Telstra
• Optus
• EB Games
• Tarocash

Try the eateries at the Marina overlooking the boats - loverly cool breezies .Mid range prices.==Eat== We also had a very nice meal at Blacks Beach Tavern A$15

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Mackay has some very fine establishments to tip a quiet ale or two. On the outskirts of town to the north-east along the Bruce Highway are two quaint little pubs; The Leap Hotel and the Farview Tavern. Both are excellent locations for grabbing a counter meal whilst overlooking the agricultural views of the Pioneer Valley. If it is the beach atmostphere that you seek then head to the Eimeo Pub, located to the North of Mackay perched picturesquely on top of a sea cliff. Slightly closer to town is the Seabreeze Tavern, located at Lamberts Beach, 10 seconds walk from the ocean. For some topless talent and a very fun long lunch you will need to head into town and visit either; Maguires Tavern or Taylors Hotel. A nipple and a smile always kicks the evening off well. For the remainder of the night there are several other standard pubs and clubs in town, including; Austral Hotel, Imperial Hotel, Kate O'Reillys (Irish Bar), Blue Heelers, Ryans Tavern, Andergrove Tavern, Mount Pleasant Tavern, Boomerang Hotel and the Spotted Dick. Remember Mackay has dial a driver, so drive in, drink up and get driven home safely.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Contact

Stay safe

Cope

Get out