Visitor Guide
2015/2016
mackayregion.com
Welcome
to The Mackay Region! When was the last time you lost yourself in an adventure? Let go of your inhibitions and explore the path seldom walked. Be the only person leaving footsteps in the sand. The solitary figure casting a line into a tranquil creek. Sink into the sand of one of Mackay’s beaches or explore the raw outback beauty of the Isaac Region. Delve deep into the rainforest to catch a glimpse of a playful platypus. Escape to a serene island or savour the taste of fresh seafood and tropical produce, sourced locally and served with finesse in the city. Are you ready to find your place in nature? It’s reserved – just for you.
Visitor Information Our accredited visitor information centres can help you find your way through The Mackay Region and beyond.
Mackay Visitor Information Centre 320 Nebo Road, Mackay Opening Hours: 9am-5pm, 7 days a week Ph: 1300 130 001 E: bookings@mackayregion.com
Melba House Visitor Information Centre Melba House, Eungella Road, Marian Opening Hours: 9am-3pm, 7 days a week Ph: 07 4954 4299 E: pvtda@pioneervalley.com.au
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Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre Railway Square, Bruce Highway, Sarina Opening Hours: 9am-5pm, 7 days a week Ph: 07 4956 2251 E: sarinainfo@mackay.net.au
What is a QR Code? Download a QR Code reader app on your smartphone or tablet and when you see these barcodes, scan them for further information.
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Contents
Wi-Fi Locations
Artspace Mackay, Gordon Street, Mackay Bluewater Lagoon, Mackay Gordon White Library, Phillip Street, Mount Pleasant Lagoons Gallery and Café, 9 Lagoon Street, West Mackay Mackay City Library, Gordon Street, Mackay
2-3
Mackay Region Map
4-5
Travel information
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Events Calendar
Mackay Visitor Information Centre, Mackay Mirani Library, Victoria Street, Mirani Sarina Library, Broad Street, Sarina
Explore by Experience
Telstra Air – 37 Victoria Street, Mackay Telstra Air – 88 Victoria Street, Mackay Telstra Air – 126 Victoria Street, Mackay Telstra Air – 151 Victoria Street, Mackay Telstra Air – 24 Gordon Street, Mackay Telstra Air – 24 Evans Ave, North Mackay Telstra Air – 106 Nebo Road, West Mackay Walkerston Library, Dutton Street, Walkerston *Conditions may apply to some of these locations, please check with the individual provider for any restrictions.
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Nature and Wildlife
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Fishing and Boating
12-13
Family Time
14-15
Culture and Heritage
16-17
Taste
Explore by Region
24 Hour Reception
BBQ Facilities
Camping
Child Friendly
Day Spa
Disabled Facilities
Exercise Equipment
Free Wi-Fi
Full Day
Games Room
Half Day
Internet Facilities
Kids Club
Laundry Facilities
Low Numbers
Lunch Included
Marina Berth
Operates Daily
Parking
Pool (s)
Restaurant /Bar
Security
Self Contained
Shopping
Tennis
Transfers
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18-21
Mackay City and Marina
22-23
Mackay’s Northern Beaches
24-27
Pioneer Valley and Eungella
28-29
Cape Hillsborough and Hibiscus Coast
30-31
Sarina and Surrounds
32-35
Isaac Region
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Shopping and Markets
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Drive Itineraries
38-40
Business Directories
Cover Image: Cape Hillsborough National Park Editorial: Amanda Wright Image: Keswick Island
Scan here to download This is Queensland smartphone app
Pete r
Townsv ille
Mackay Region Map
South Molle Isla
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Cannonvale Pros er p in e Riv er Conway
Lake Proserpine
Proserpine
Lethebrook Thoopara Laguna Quays Midge Point Bloomsbury
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Mt Crompton
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Mt Bruce Limestone Hill
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Mt Manaman
Finch Hatton
Eungella
Mt Hillalong
Mt Carmel
Mount Coolon
Mt Andrew
Glenden Mt Ewan
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Gargett M Marani
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Kincha Dam
Homevale NP Hannaville Mt Hess
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Dipperu NP
Mt Marion
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Mazeppa NP
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Mt Rankin Mt McLaren
Mt Greenmantle
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Peak Hill Mt Milson
Peak Range NP
Blair Athol Bathampton
Clermont
Middlemount
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Eungella NP Mount Ossa
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Hamilton Island
The Whitsundays
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Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
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Mackay Blue Mtn
Cape Palmertson NP
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Keswick Island St Bees Island
Scan here to explore Mackay Region drive itineraries Br uc
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Travel Information By Rail
Getting here
By Air
Fly direct to Mackay from Brisbane and Sydney. Mackay Airport is serviced by major carriers Virgin Australia, QantasLink and Jetstar. Short-term and long-term car parking is available. Taxis and a number of rental car companies can be found upon arrival. Providing direct flights to Brisbane, QantasLink and Virgin Australia service Moranbah Airport. Short-term and long-term car parking is available.
By Road The drive time from Mackay to Cairns is approximately eight and a half hours, and Brisbane is approximately eleven hours. Major coach operators include Mackay in their scheduled services from major cities along the coast.
Take a journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland with Queensland Rail Travel to Mackay. The Mackay Train Station is located at Paget, 5km south of the city centre.
Getting around
By Taxi
Taxis are available throughout The Mackay Region, call 13 10 08 to book a pickup, or look for the taxi ranks within the city and Mackay Airport.
By Bus
Mackay Transit Coaches operate a public bus schedule, linking Mackay city with outer suburbs, including Mirani, Sarina, Walkerston and the Northern Beaches.
Tour Services
Capture the best of the region by joining an informative tour, guided by local experts. Contact your nearest Visitor Information Centre for recommendations.
Climate Month
Max (C)
Min (C)
Rainfall (mm)
Jan
30
23
293
Feb
30
23
311
Mar
28
22
303
Apr
27
20
134
May
24
17
104
Jun
22
14
59
Jul
21
13
47
Aug
22
14
30
Sep
25
16
15
Oct
27
20
38
Nov
29
22
87
Dec
30
23
175
*mean monthly data (as of June 2015) Source: www.bom.gov.au/climate from Mackay Aero Station
Swimming
Marine stingers (dangerous jellyfish) can be present in the ocean. The high-risk season is from October to May. Please observe warning signs and swim at patrolled beaches. Where possible, wear a protective stinger swimsuit. If in doubt, ask a lifeguard for advice.
Visiting Mackay,
book early and SAVE!
The Spirit of Queensland, contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation, is the modern rail experience along Queensland’s coast. Travel in a Premium Economy Seat or the revolutionary lie-flat RailBed. Book early and save! RailBed
RailBed with all-inclusive meals Brisbane to Mackay from per adult
$285*
Premium Economy Seat Townsville to Mackay from per adult
$75*
Premium Economy
ARRIVE ON-TIME • ARRIVE REFRESHED •FIVE RETURN SERVICES A WEEK
To book visit queenslandrailtravel.com.au, call 1300 783 553 or see your local travel agent. *Conditions apply. Prices are per person based on adult B-Quick fare conditions, non-refundable and advance purchase conditions apply subject to availability. Other concession discounts are available for applicable card holders. Queensland Rail Travel reserves the right to make changes without notice, for full booking terms and conditions visit queenslandrailtravel.com.au
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The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
Mackay Region Events Calendar 2015/2016 2015
August 1-2 6-9 12 29 30
Mackay Mountain Marathon 2015 Mackay Airport Beach Horse Racing Festival Careers Expo Twilight City Festival Beach to Garden Charity Fun Run
November 7
December 5
31
Sarina Beach Triathlon
4MK/Zinc’s Carols at the Quay New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Bluewater Quay
June September 12 15 18-20
19 27-28
October 2-4
2-4 2-5 3 8-10 10-11 17 24 24-25
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Sarina Festival Emirate Melbourne Cup Tour National Australian Orchid Council Conference & Exhibition Professional Bull Riders Touring Pro Mackay Olympic Distance Triathlon Pioneer Valley Country Music Festival Bulls Masters Country Challenge Model T Owners Club Queensland Event Thiess River 2 Reef Charity Ride Fashion Week Mackay Moranbah Rotary Home & Leisure Show Helloworld Travel Expo Global Grooves Cape Hillsborough Blokart Regatta
4-5 12 TBC
2016
January 26
Australia Day Celebrations
31
Flight Centre Travel Expo
6
Annual Bridal Fair
20
Helloworld Travel Expo
TBC
Mackay Isaac Anywhere
February March
21-23
RSL Centenary Event Pioneer Valley Show Super Boats/Tinny & Tackle Show Mackay Show
Festival 25-28
April
The Lanes Festival
30-3 May Wintermoon Festival
May
20-22
3-8 Mackay Home Show & Caravan, Camping & Boating Expo
23
Nebo Rodeo
TBC
River Rock to Mountain Top
23-29
Australian Masters Indoor Cricket Competition
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The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
July
Greenmount Heritage Fair
8-17 24-30
26-28
Veteran Car Club Australia Event Mackay Regional Festival of Arts The Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience (Australian War Memorial travelling exhibition) Queensland Mining Exhibition
Share what makes you proud
mackay.qld.gov.au
ARTSPACE MACKAY Civic Centre Precinct, Gordon St, Mackay Ph: (07) 4961 9722 > Free entry BLUEWATER LAGOON Caneland Park, River St, Mackay > Free entry GREENMOUNT HOMESTEAD Greenmount Rd, Walkerston Ph: (07) 4959 2250 HISTORICAL CENTRES Mackay Ph: (07) 4953 0002 > Pioneer Valley Ph: (07) 4961 9229 > Sarina Ph: (07) 4956 2436 MACKAY ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTRE Alfred St, Mackay Ph: (07) 4961 9777 MACKAY REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS Lagoon St, West Mackay Ph: (07) 4952 7300 > Free entry MIRANI CARAVAN PARK Caroline St, Mirani Ph: (07) 4959 1239
Nature and Wildlife NATURE. RESERVED.
The Mackay Region is nature. Reserved for you – and for those that seek out life’s quieter corners. If you appreciate natural splendour, you’ll love exploring a region where the surroundings are unspoilt.
Scan here to watch 7 Top Nature Experiences Video
Eungella National Park
Go Exploring CAPE HILLSBOROUGH NATIONAL PARK
Local’s guide How to spot a platypus n
Platypus in Queensland are small, approximately the size of your forearm.
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Dawn, dusk or overcast days are the best times to see them.
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Be patient and quiet!
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They will be under water from one to two minutes, and usually surface for around 10 seconds at a time.
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Watch a spectacular sunrise on Casuarina Beach as wallabies frolic on the sand.
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Walk to Wedge Island at low tide and snorkel nearby coral formations.
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Meander through melaleuca woodland, mangroves, eucalypt and vine thicket along the Diversity Boardwalk or the Juipera Plants Trail.
CAPE PALMERSTON NATIONAL PARK
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Look for air bubbles and ripples rising to the surface.
Extra Tip
Take binoculars if you have them. If the cheeky platypus is on the other side of the river, you will have a much better view.
Walk the coastline to the cape, where the cliff tops will reward you with vistas toward the North Cumberland Islands National Park. Gaze upon the water below for the chance to see a dugong, turtle or passing whales during migration season. Visit Windmill Bay and explore the surrounding landscape to see traces of shell middens created by Aboriginal inhabitants of the past.
EUNGELLA NATIONAL PARK
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Take a refreshing swim in one of the many clear rock pools found in the rainforest at Finch Hatton Gorge.
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The Sky Window walk in Eungella will lead you through the rainforest for a spectacular view across the Pioneer Valley.
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Visit Broken River’s viewing platform, for the chance to see a platypus, turtle or eel.
NEWRY ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
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A boat is required to explore the rugged and isolated beauty of Newry Islands.
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Take a walk on Newry Island’s circuit track through rainforest and open forest. Vantage points along the way offer spectacular views of nearby islands and the mainland.
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Newry Island is a great place to camp if you are self-sufficient. Enjoy a picnic on the western side overlooking Rabbit Island.
KESWICK ISLAND, SOUTH CUMBERLAND ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
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Explore the island visiting secluded beaches of white sand, scalloped between rainforest headlands.
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Dive or snorkel underwater worlds of fringing reefs, colourful fish and majestic sea turtles.
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See the thriving hives of purebred Caucasian bees that produce the local Keswick Honey
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Take a bushwalk that winds through tropical vegetation, or along sandy beaches and fringing reef at low tide.
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Watch for humpback whales passing by on their annual migration.
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Charter flights, boat trips and accommodation are available – visit keswickisland.com.au for more information.
Q: Tell us about being a National Parks Ranger. A: I love the diversity. Communication with visitors and ensuring people have a positive
experience while exploring the outdoors is a big part of it, as well as infrastructure management, talking to schools, helping to preserve wildlife and helping with bushfires.
Q: What is a great family-friendly nature adventure in Mackay? A: A trip into Eungella National Park to meander among the rainforest and spot a platypus
in Broken River is such an enjoyable experience. There is a new camping area beside Broken River, which makes it easier to relax as a family.
Tana Bently Ranger, Queensland National Parks
Q: What is your favourite wildlife experience in The Mackay Region? A: Seeing the agile wallabies on the beach at Cape Hillsborough during sunrise. I have
wallabies visit my home too and I never tire of seeing them.
mackayregion.com
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Fishing and Boating WET A LINE
ocal fishing personality Luke Galea, shares his top 10 spots to wet a line in The ackay egion plore his fishing ad entures on his blog lukesfishinmission com
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The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
1. KINCHANT DAM Located approximately 30 minutes west of Mackay, Kinchant Dam boasts some of the best barramundi. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to land one on your line. 2. ST HELENS CREEK St Helens Creek, near Seaforth, is a fisherman’s paradise. Barramundi and mangrove jack can be caught on lures, soft plastics and live baits, and are most active during the warmer months. Be sure to bring your crab pots too! Lu k e G a l e a
o I need a fishing permit? Before you go fishing in any of Queensland’s dams, check whether you need a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP). The one permit covers all 32 dams and costs as little as $8 per week. You only need one permit per couple (married or de facto), and if you are under 18 you don’t need one. To purchase a permit online, visit smartservice.qld.gov.au or purchase them at Mackay Visitor Information Centre.
3. CATTLE CREEK Cattle Creek, in the Pioneer Valley, boasts plentiful sooty grunter. It is popular for kayak fishermen and if you are feeling adventurous, you can walk the banks that intersect this water course. 4. FUNNEL CREEK Funnel Creek is located roughly 100km southwest of Mackay. A kayak or canoe is essential as the banks encroach on private property. Sooty grunter and saratoga can be caught here. 5. McEWENS BEACH McEwens Beach is 15 minutes’ drive south of Mackay. Bream, whiting and flathead are commonly caught, and yabbies are the best bait. Large queenfish can also be caught around the mouth. Luke’s Tip: Large poppers ‘blooped’ across the surface is a popular way of landing a catch.
6. BUCASIA BEACH This is a great family-friendly location. Once again bream, whiting and flathead are the main targets here. 7. WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS It’s not a question of what you can catch, but what you can’t! Coral trout and giant trevally can be caught around the hundreds of individual reefs surrounding the southern Whitsunday islands near Mackay. 8. MACKAY OUTER REEF Approximately 100km from Mackay Harbour, deep water fishing will provide an exciting encounter. You can find red emperor, large coral trout, nannygai and sweetlip. Luke’s Tip: Safety first, check the weather before heading offshore to the outer reef. 9. PIONEER RIVER The Pioneer River is full of bream, whiting, flathead, queenfish and grunter that can be easily caught in Mackay. Moving upstream to Dumbleton in the Pioneer Valley, you will start to encounter barramundi and mangrove jack. 10. CONSTANT CREEK Constant Creek is excellent for barramundi and mangrove jack. A boat is necessary as there are crocodiles. There are many deep bends in the river, which often yield large barramundi and threadfin salmon on live baits. Luke’s Tip: A depth sounder is vital in this creek so that you can locate deeper holes for your live bait and also find shallow rock bars that could be a potential boating hazard.
Boating Some of the nearest islands to explore by boat are the eight islands protected in Newry Islands National Park. The closest island is only 5km from the Victor Creek boat ramp near Seaforth. Islands in the South Cumberland Islands National Park are also accessible with your own boat. Hinterland and outback dams provide peaceful bodies of water for exploration. One of the more popular is Theresa Creek Dam, near Clermont, perfect for water skiing and fishing. Near Mackay, Lake Elphinstone, Kinchant, Teemburra and Eungella Dams are where the locals go and are also popular locations for boating and fishing. There are more than 25 boat ramps in The Mackay Region, allowing access to a variety of creeks, rivers, dams and beaches.
The Mackay Region Host of 2013 Australian Fishing Championships
Host of the 2014 International Fishing Series
Scan here to watch Hooked on Mackay Video mackayregion.com
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Ten Family Fun Ideas
Family Time
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The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
SWIM AT THE BLUEWATER LAGOON With three lagoon-inspired swimming pools, a small children’s water park plus a water slide, the Bluewater Lagoon is a refreshing riverside destination. Admission is FREE! PICNIC AT AN INLAND DAM Enjoy a day-trip drive into the outback of the Isaac Region. Enjoy a family picnic and refresh yourself with a swim at an inland dam. Look for wild kangaroos and emus, which are often spotted out here.
3. TASTE AND LEARN AT SARINA
SUGAR SHED Watch how sugar is extracted from the cane, then taste a range of sweet delights made on-site. A delicious interactive experience for the whole family.
4. DISCOVER NATURE AT CAPE
HILLSBOROUGH Walk one of the nature trails to see an abundance of birds and butterflies. Challenge yourself to the Andrews Point walk, resting at Turtle Cove to watch turtles in the water below. Wake early and visit the beach at sunrise to watch wallabies fossicking in the tide for their breakfast.
5. 6.
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EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE 25M ABOVE THE GROUND Get a treetop view of the rainforest in Finch Hatton Gorge as you glide along a zipwire, 25 metres above ground. ENJOY THE MACKAY REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS Stroll along more than 3km of trails and boardwalk, showcasing a vibrant array of flora. Have coffee at an elevated café and gallery or take a picnic to enjoy. BE THRILLED AT A WAKEBOARDING CABLE PARK Soar across the water on a wakeboard as a cable pulls you across a man-made lake. All equipment is supplied and there is fun to be had for beginners through to advanced riders. Refuel at the on-site café.
8.
DROP A FISHING LINE FROM THE BLUEWATER TRAIL With more than 20km of trail to choose from, the Bluewater Trail is a walking and cycling path connecting popular attractions. Enjoy an ice cream in the city, then walk to one of the fishing platforms to try your luck in the Pioneer River.
9. CATCH A CRAB IN CLAIRVIEW
Clairview is one of the best destinations in Queensland to go crabbing. Fish off the beach, hunt for shellfish on the rocks and then enjoy a beachside barbecue sampling the freshest seafood available.
10. BE ENTERTAINED AT THE
MACKAY ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTRE (MECC) From an urban circus with break dancers instead of acrobats, to performances based on popular children’s literature, the MECC’s line up of children’s entertainment aims to educate and entertain.
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For more Family Fun Ideas visit mackayregion.com 13
Culture and Heritage
Artspace Mackay
Unlocking the key to The Mackay Region’s past can be achieved by visiting any number of historical sites.
DID YOU KNOW?
The acclaimed opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba, spent the first year of her married life in a small house in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, in Marian.
BLUEWATER QUAY PUBLIC ART The Bluewater Trail Public Art display consists of six heritage-inspired installations. Fishbones, Sugar Cubes, YUWI Letters and Shields can all be found in close proximity of each other on the Bluewater Quay.
ARTSPACE MACKAY Artspace hosts a range of travelling exhibitions from national and regional gallery collections, and also curates shows from its own Artists Book Collection. Art classes, workshops, lectures and events all take place at this cultural venue.
PAXTON’S WAREHOUSE Located in an old wharf building constructed in 1887, this rustic warehouse is a creative environment for art lovers to enjoy. Popular night markets are held regularly.
MELBA HOUSE The 1882 home of Dame Nellie Melba is now a fascinating historical museum as well as an accredited Visitor Information Centre. It showcases an array of photographs, recordings, memorabilia, books and furniture of Melba’s life and career. The house also boasts a collection of local handmade gifts and souvenirs.
HERITAGE WALK* Join a guided stroll through Mackay’s City Centre with local tourism volunteers. The 90 minute walk includes historic structures such as Mackay Court House, Town Hall, Holy Trinity Parish Church and the Masonic Temple. This walk can also be done as a self-guided expedition with a brochure, found at Mackay Visitor Information Centre. *(Run during May-
MACKAY CEMETERY For an insight into the lives of Mackay’s early pioneers, a self-guided cemetery heritage walk brochure can be found at Mackay Regional Council or Mackay Visitor Information Centre.
September)
Me
lba
GREENMOUNT HOMESTEAD This beautiful homestead was developed by AA Cook, on the historic cattle run first established by Captain John Mackay. There are a number of buildings including a 1915 Queenslander homestead, which displays a collection exceeding 20,000 historical items.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Clermont, approximately 3 hours’ drive from Mackay, was the first inland town to be settled in tropical Queensland and as such has one of the most interesting historical stories to discover. Find out more about Clermont on pages 32-34.
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite being settled in 1862, many of Mackay’s earliest buildings were destroyed by a cyclone in 1918.
Q: What is your favourite part of Mackay’s history to share? John B: Although it is an emotional subject, I enjoy discussing the 1918 cyclone and the way the residents handled the catastrophe. There are various points around the walk that are significant to that event and the stories create real interest with our visitors.
Q: Which part of the heritage tour do you enjoy the most? John C: I thoroughly enjoy the people we meet every week, but my favourite place
to showcase is the Comino’s store. It’s unchanged since the 1930s, which makes it very unique.
Q: Which is your favourite Art Deco inspired building in Mackay? ‘The Two Johns’ John C and John B: The Ambassador Hotel in Sydney Street is an outstanding
– John Cant and John Blackwell
Local volunteers at Mackay Visitor Information Centre, Artspace and tour guides of the Heritage Walk
example of Art Deco.
Q: Which is your favourite gallery or museum to visit in Mackay? John B: Artspace. The exhibitions change every six weeks, we are fortunate to have
such an excellent art gallery in Mackay. The Greenmount Homestead is also a wonderful historical attraction.
Take a break & let art inspire you
at Artspace Mackay
+ + + +
FOODSPACE CAFE AN EVER-CHANGING PROGRAM OF ART EXHIBITIONS WORKSHOPS, ARTIST TALKS & SPECIAL EVENTS FOR ALL AGES A NATIONALLY RECOGNISED ARTISTS BOOK COLLECTION
www.artspacemackay.com.au mackayregion.com
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Taste
Food Finds SUNSET COCKTAILS Sip in style at the Mackay Marina, watch the lights dance on the Pioneer River or see the sun set over the ocean from a hilltop hotel in the Northern Beaches. COFFEE IN THE CANEFIELDS Discover peaceful cafés in the heart of the Pioneer Valley. Enjoy hearty cuisine, or relax with coffee and cake in the quiet corner of a tropical garden. SWEET DELIGHT Visit a miniature sugar mill in Sarina and taste the boutique rum from the distillery. Taste freshly extracted sugar cane juice, then sample a range of gourmet sauces and liqueurs. GO TO A MICRO-BREWERY Tour a micro-brewery in Mackay and get a hands-on experience in the brewing process. Taste a tipple and take your favourites home. ELEGANT HIGH TEAS From a swanky inner-city café to beautiful tropical gardens at Cape 16
Hillsborough, tiers of pretty pastries and scrumptious sandwiches make special-occasion dining a pleasure. PRODUCE FROM THE PADDOCK Farms with fresh produce are plentiful in The Mackay Region. Some farms offer tours and you’ll even find a pick-your-own strawberry farm north of Mackay. Find fresh local produce at markets, roadside stalls and specialty stores. Chat to the growers and find out how to dish up their delicacies. CITY CUISINE Experience the diverse flavours igniting the Mackay City Centre culinary scene. Enjoy world-class wine on a rooftop bar, take in a jazz session while sampling Italian or find gastronomic gratification at an award-winning restaurant. SUCCULENT SEAFOOD Caught fresh from the pristine Coral Sea, find an assortment of reef and river fish on display from seafood vendors. From locally farmed prawns to freshly shucked oysters, select a local banquet to enjoy.
The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
The ever-evolving foodie and paddock to plate scene in The Mackay Region means you’ll never be short of inspiration when choosing where to eat next.
BREWS WITH A VIEW Gaze at the golden sand of Sarina Beach from a nearby bar or watch the kids play in the pool at one of the resorts in the Northern Beaches. NOURISH AMONG NATURE Soak in the serenity at the Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens with coffee and cake from the café. Dine in the rainforest at Finch Hatton Gorge or Eungella National Park and watch nature come alive. HISTORIC PUB IN THE SCRUB Experience true country hospitality in a heritage-listed pub. Hearty cuisine, friendly smiles and country character are all part of the adventure.
MACKAY FISH MARKET DID YOU KNOW?
Sarina Sugar Shed won Bronze for their Sugar Shed Rum and their Sugar Shed Rum Liqueur at the 2015 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.
Supplying the general public with Fresh Local Seafood from the pristine waters of Mackay and Surrounds including Barramundi, Mudcrabs, Banana, King, Tiger Prawns, Bugs, Coral Trout and Red Throat Emperor. Want to take some Mackay-caught seafood home? Ask about our airline packs. Open 7 Days: Mon–Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm Sat 8.30am to 5.00pm Sun 9.00am to 5.00pm
2 River Street, Mackay QLD 4740 (Boat Ramp end of River Street) P: 07 4953 2498 E: sales@mackayfishmarket.com.au www.mackayreeffish.com
SORBELLOS ITALIAN RESTAURANT
THIRSTY SOUND BEACH BAR & GRILL
Modern Italian Cuisine – Open 7 Days – Fully licensed, Dine in or Take-away Lunch 11.30am–2.30pm Dinner 5pm–Late Open ALL DAY Friday from 11.30am–Late. Visit our website for Menus and Special Events or find us on Facebook.
Absolute beachfront dining
166 Victoria Street, Mackay QLD 4740 P: 07 4957 8300 www.sorbellos.com.au
1 Owen Jenkins Drive, Sarina Beach QLD 4737 P: 07 4956 6525 E: dine@thirstysound.com.au www.thirstysound.com.au
Thirsty Sound enjoys sweeping views of Sarina Beach and the Coral Sea. Our fully licensed restaurant and bar is open 7 days a week. Dine inside on ground level or alfresco on Thirsty’s balcony overlooking the beach.
Experience a fascinating and tasty tour for all ages at the Sarina Sugar Shed. Taste freshly crushed cane juice and enjoy a complimentary taste of our very own rum, liqueurs and gourmet sauces - all produced on site. Open from 9am Monday - Sunday Tour Times: 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm Closed public holidays Field of Dreams Parkland, Railway Square, Sarina Charges apply - see website for details Accessible for wheelchairs and all abilities
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DID YOU KNOW?
Pine Islet Lighthouse at the Marina is the last fully functional kerosene lighthouse in the world.
Mackay City and Marina
Mackay Marina
Enjoy a meal on the palm-fringed esplanade – grab takeaway seafood or dine in style at an al fresco restaurant. Take the scenic drive along the breakwater wall or hire a scooter to start exploring the area.
Make time at the Marina Harbour Beach is a popular area for swimming, as well as being home to one of Mackay’s flagship annual events, the Mackay Airport Beach Horse Racing Festival. Let the kids loose on the playground in Harbour Park while you fire up the beachside BBQ.
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The breakwater is a great fishing location, simply throw a line in and try your luck with an assortment of reef fish, as well as tuna and mackerel. Hire non-motorised watersports equipment. Book a fishing charter with a group of friends to explore the deep-water fishing opportunities on the Great Barrier Reef.
Test out your 4WD skills at East Point (recommended for experienced drivers). Sunrise to Sunset at Slade Point Take the short drive from the Marina to Slade Point and:
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Take a stroll along Lamberts Beach
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Enjoy a beachside picnic at Ram Chandra Park
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Take in panoramic views at Lamberts Beach Lookout
Walk through the Slade Point Nature Reserve
Take a boat transfer to nearby Keswick Island. Stay – Mackay Marina Enjoy all that the Mackay Marina has on offer, by immersing yourself amid the action.
BIG4 MACKAY MARINE TOURIST PARK
CLARION HOTEL MACKAY MARINA
NEW – children’s water park and mini golf!
Premium Accommodation in Mackay’s Best Location
With modern villas, 2 pools, jumping pillow, closely located to the harbour and city, BIG4 Mackay is a great place to stay. Mention this ad to get 4 nights for the price of 3! (Offer ends 30/6/16 – Ts & Cs apply, Cabins only)
Located on the relaxing waterfront setting of Mackay Marina, the Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina is only a short drive from Mackay Airport and the city centre. Mackay’s only hotel with marina views over the tropical blue waters of the Coral Sea.
265 Harbour Road, Mackay QLD 4740 P: 07 4955 1496 E: info@mmtp.com.au www.mmtp.com.au
Mulherin Drive, Mackay QLD 4740 P: 1800 386 386 E: res@mackaymarinahotel.com www.mackayaccommodation.com.au
The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
Scan here to watch short video on Mackay Marina
Mackay City Must-Do’s A blend of country charm and city chic, Mackay City is the fusion of cosmopolitan convenience with natural wonder and historical endearment. Explore Mackay’s Bluewater Trail is a pedestrian and bike path that meanders past Mackay’s public art displays, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and the Bluewater Lagoon. Key points of interest along the Bluewater Trail:
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Town Beach and Iluka Park
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Bluewater Quay
Sandfly Creek Environmental Walkway
Fitspiration It’s easy to stay fit while on holiday in Mackay. A number of walkways within the 10,000 Steps programme can guide you to achieve your fitness goals while taking in beautiful scenery. Trails in the city can be found at:
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Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens North Mackay Gooseponds Mt Pleasant’s Northview Gardens Mackay City Centre (Caneland Park to Forgan Bridge and Sandfly Creek to Iluka Park)
Free fitness equipment can be found to add increased intensity to your workout at Caneland Park and the North Mackay Gooseponds.
DID YOU KNOW?
Mackay’s Pioneer River is one of only a few blue water rivers in Australia.
P i oneer R i ver
Bluewater Lagoon Catherine Freeman Walk
Swim Bluewater Lagoon is the place to relax and refresh during a hot tropical day. Featuring three lagoons, it’s fun and refreshing for everyone. Dine The eclectic tastes in Mackay’s City Centre enchant the fussiest of palates. Funky roof-top bars serve intricate cocktails, eateries cater for every craving and river-view restaurants set the scene for romance. 19
Stay - Mackay City MACKAY GRANDE SUITES
POTTER’S OCEANSIDE MOTEL
Located in the City Heart of Mackay. Our 4 ½ star hotel boasts 91 Accommodation rooms – Hotel rooms, one, two and three Bedroom Apartments. We have two restaurants: Cactus Jacks (lunch & dinner) and the AM Grill (breakfast & dinner). We also offer 24 hour room service and hotel reception is open 24 hours.
9 Gregory Street, Mackay QLD 4740 P: 07 4969 1000 E: stay@mackaygrandesuites.com.au www.mackaygrandesuites.com.au
OCEAN INTERNATIONAL Beachfront hotel and only minutes to the city, Ocean International caters for family holiday makers to corporate visitors. Dine at Galleons Restaurant, renowned for the best meals and service in town.
1 Bridge Road, Mackay QLD 4740 P: 07 4957 2044 E: admin@oceaninternational.com.au www.oceaninternational.com.au
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“More than you would expect from a motel” Potter’s Oceanside Motel is a new generation motel having a modern chic exterior and hotel style rooms luxuriously furnished with king size beds, large flat screen televisions and corporate work stations. Relax, relax, and relax on your private balcony with a cup of Twinings tea, or rejuvenating in the pool or enjoying a poolside breakfast with a freshly brewed cappuccino coffee. FREE NBN Wi-Fi 20 Foxtel channels Bike hire Ice machines Airport and CBD transfers Poolside barbeques
2C Gordon Street East, Mackay QLD 4740 P: 1800 188 133 or 07 5689 0388 E: stay@pottersoceansidemotel.com.au www.pottersoceansidemotel.com.au
Live it up in North Queensland WITH OAKS
MORANBAH • MIDDLEMOUNT • GLADSTONE • MACKAY • TOWNSVILLE • PORT DOUGLAS Enjoy your next stay away in North Queensland with spacious apartment-style rooms in the best CBD, regional and resort destinations. For both short or longer stays, Oaks Hotels & Resorts is an affordable option for singles, couples, families and groups looking for superior accommodation, friendly service and quality onsite leisure facilities. With eight properties across North Queensland, you are perfectly positioned to explore all the region has to offer.
To book some fantastic special rates for North Queensland visit oakshotelsresorts.com
oakshotelsresorts.com
Welcome home to Oaks
Mackay’s Northern Beaches
Featuring serene beachside communities with enviable coastlines and carefree lifestyles, close your eyes and breathe in the beach air.
Shoal Point
DID YOU KNOW?
Stretching 6km in length, Blacks Beach is the longest beach in Mackay.
Which paradise will you choose? BLACKS BEACH When you want kilometres of sand to stroll, Blacks Beach is ideal. It is also a great beach to fish from, try your luck near the creek mouth at the southern end. Beach front accommodation is available. EIMEO BEACH Eimeo (eye-me-o) Beach is a popular choice for swimming and during summer months, lifeguards are on patrol. The esplanade park has a playground and barbecue facilities.
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DOLPHIN HEADS Dolphin Heads is a rocky and sandy headland, popular with photography enthusiasts. At low tide it is possible to walk from Dolphin Heads to neighbouring Eimeo Beach.
BUCASIA Bucasia (Bu-cay-sha) is a popular family fishing location. Head towards the southern end of the beach, near the sandy pits and mangroves of Eimeo Creek to wet a line. A boat ramp is nearby as well as a family resort with a pool, restaurant and access to the beach. SHOAL POINT At low tide, the beach can almost be mistaken as a small sweeping desert, stretching for hundreds of metres and allowing a close-up view of Green Island. Watch as thousands of tiny blue soldier crabs scuttle along the mud flats. Holiday rental accommodation is available in this area.
DID YOU KNOW?
The ‘lone tree’ found toward the northern end of Shoal Point is popular with photographers and has its own hashtag on Instagram : #mackayslonetree.
Scan here to watch video on Mackay’s Northern Beaches
DID YOU KNOW?
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Eimeo is home to a canopy of old mango trees, now a heritage-listed attraction.
Stay - Northern Beaches If sun, sand and sensational ocean views are what you crave in a holiday, consider staying among Mackay’s Northern Beaches. Relax at a tropical retreat with the convenience of shopping centres and resort facilities nearby.
COMFORT RESORT BLUE PACIFIC
THE SHORES HOLIDAY APARTMENTS
Imagine spectacular beachfront views and the soft sands of Blacks Beach being just metres’ walk from your spacious accommodation in Mackay’s Northern Beaches. Set in 3 acres of lush tropical gardens – tropical beach houses, self-contained studios and 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Ask for your MT rate.
Spacious, beachfront, two bedroom, fully self-contained air-conditioned apartments, in a quiet, peaceful, tropical setting, fronting beautiful Blacks Beach. Pools, tennis court, BBQs, free Wi-Fi, volleyball, fishing and much more.
26 Bourke Street, Blacks Beach QLD 4740 P: 07 4954 9090 E: reservations@bluepacificresort.com.au www.bluepacificresort.com.au
9 Pacific Drive, Blacks Beach QLD 4740 P: 07 4954 9444 E: info@theshores.com.au www.theshores.com.au
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Pioneer Valley and Eungella
he ioneer alley is a patchwork of lush rainforest and sugar cane fields dotted with roadside fruit stalls, rustic art and craft stores and historical museums. Eungella National Park’s mysterious mountain peaks are often shrouded in mist, adding to the feeling that you e entered a di erent world
Pioneer Valley Checklist SPOT A PLATYPUS Walk the banks of Broken River, within Eungella National Park to see a platypus in its natural environment. Try looking at dawn or dusk for your best chance to spot this shy creature. SCUBA DIVE WITH A PLATYPUS Near Finch Hatton Gorge is the only place in the world where you can scuba dive in the same water as a platypus in its natural environment. See a range of unique marine life in the rainforest waters. 24
COOL OFF IN FINCH HATTON GORGE Walk the well-formed tracks to the Araulen Cascades or Wheel of Fire waterfalls and take a refreshing dip in the freshwater swimming holes. LOCALS’ CHOICE: THINGS TO SEE AND DO n Enjoy coffee in an old church, now cafe, overlooking the canefields in Pinnacle.
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Go fishing or boating at Kinchant Dam, Teemburra Dam or Eungella Dam. Visit places of historical importance, including Melba House in Marian and browse the interesting artifacts in the Mirani Museum.
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Dine amongst the rainforest in Finch Hatton Gorge, surrounded by lush ferns and fronds.
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Stay a night in the rainforest and watch your surroundings come alive in the evening, spotlighting to see nocturnal animals.
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Pack a bush picnic to enjoy at Broken River in a forest of swamp mahogany and red gum trees.
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See the best of the rainforest and experience an aussie bush camp on a guided tour.
Platy-Facts DID YOU KNOW?
Eungella National Park is Australia’s longest stretch of sub-tropical rainforest.
RAINFOREST SCUBA World 1st experience diving in the RAINFOREST in crystal clear waters where PLATYPUS live and play. Will you be one of the few in the water with a PLATYPUS in natural conditions? Multiple Tourism Award Winner 2015. We are pet friendly.
Scan here to watch short video on Eungella National Park
55 Anzac Parade, Finch Hatton QLD 4756 P: 0434 455 040 E: luanaroyle@y7mail.com www.rainforestscuba.com Sky Window Lookout, Eungella National Park
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Local Tip
Walk on the wild side
Keep an eye out for the rare gastricbrooding frog, the orange-sided skink, Mackay tulip oak, Eungella spiny cray and Eungella honeyeater.
Try these walks to really lose yourself in nature throughout the Pioneer Valley and Eungella National Park.
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SKY WINDOW Difficulty: Easy 250m circuit The entrance to the Sky Window walk can be found on Eungella Dam Road. This loop track is wheelchair-friendly and leads to a lookout with spectacular views across the Pioneer Valley.
FINCH HATTON GORGE – ARALUEN CASCADES AND WHEEL OF FIRE WATERFALL Difficulty: Moderate Araluen Cascades 1.2km one way Wheel of Fire 2.1km one way The first, easiest walk is to the Araluen Cascades. You can continue further through lush rainforest to the Wheel of Fire Waterfall. This walk does include a number of stairs, but the view is well worth the effort.
BROKEN RIVER VIEWING PLATFORM Difficulty: Easy The newly renovated viewing platform and boardwalk can be found an easy five-minute walk past the café. The track is well-maintained and suitable for wheelchairs. Platypuses and turtles are often seen here and you will find interpretive signage about these animals too.
MACKAY GREAT HIGHLANDS WALK Difficulty: Advanced 56km Immerse yourself in a diversity of landscapes as you traverse rugged mountainous terrain and dense rainforest to remote cattle farm stations and abandoned gold mining towns. The 56km walk is challenging, yet rewards persistence with seldom-seen views.
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Change your view Short on time? There are spectacular lookouts in Eungella that don’t require walking shoes to get to. n
Goodes Lookout is off North Street and is well signposted. The lookout provides breathtaking views of the Pioneer Valley below.
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If you enjoy a scenic drive, make your way along Dalrymple Road to Peases Lookout for another stunning view over the valley.
Stay - Pioneer Valley & Eungella
BROKEN RIVER MOUNTAIN RESORT
Waking up to crisp rainforest air and misty mountains as the sun peeks through the valley. Sound refreshing? Staying overnight in Eungella National Park is a great opportunity to rise with the sun, eagerly awaiting an emerging platypus.
Have you felt the quiet excitement of spotting a platypus in the wild? Want to marvel at the hundreds of different flora and fauna that call Eungella National Park home? Experience this and more just minutes from your doorstep at Broken River Mountain Resort, offering clean and comfortable lodge-style accommodation set in the mist-shrouded mountains of Eungella. Our licensed Restaurant, Possums Table, offers excellent A LĂ Carte dining. Spotlight tours, guided walks and daily transfers to a variety of bushwalks are also available. Contact us to truly get away from it all and experience unspoilt nature at its best.
524 Eungella Dam Road, Eungella QLD 4757 P: 07 4958 4000 E: enquiries@brokenrivermr.com.au www.brokenrivermr.com.au
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Cape Hillsborough and Hibiscus Coast Find dense rainforest that meets the shoreline, volcanic headlands, prehistoric rock formations and wallabies that call this beautiful haven home.
Andrew’s Point, Cape Hillsborough National Park
SUNRISE WITH WALLABIES Cape Hillsborough Beach, also known as Casuarina Beach, provides one of the most iconic Australian photo backdrops, the ‘Roo on the Beach’ at sunrise. Wallabies and kangaroos scour the morning tide for mangrove seed pods, seaweed and coral sand dollars. TWITCHER TALK The walking trails throughout Cape Hillsborough National Park provide hundreds of wildlife experiences. Birdwatching fanatics will enjoy the 140 species that have been seen in the park. BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES The walk from Casuarina Beach to Beach Comber Cove is a must-do for butterfly lovers. During the cooler months, the dense rainforest often engulfs walkers in hundreds of blue tiger butterflies.
HIBISCUS BEACH HUBS Smalleys Beach is a popular location for camping and fishing for flathead.
HEAVENLY HINTERLAND The Hibiscus Coast also has beautiful roads to explore through fringing rainforest, farming communities and sugar cane fields. Shop for precious gems in this area and enjoy a meal at the local pub or – why not escape to luxury in the country at a nearby luxury wildlife retreat, a favourite with bird and wildlife lovers alike. Along your journey to Cape Hillsborough, enjoy tea amongst tropical gardens at the relocated Marian Train Station, now a teahouse popular for delicious home-style baking.
Halliday Bay has an old timber swimming enclosure, and there is a golf course near the beach. Ball Bay is unspoilt, a popular choice for shell collectors. Fish for salmon in the nearby creek.
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Seaforth is a small coastal community fringed by a beautiful beach. Its nearby
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CULTURE The Yuibera people lived in Cape Hillsborough for thousands of years. The Yuibera Plants walking trail indicates how the original inhabitants of the area gathered food, whilst the Diversity Boardwalk showcases the variety of ecosystems within the park and how the Yuibera people utilised these environments.
creeks provide some of the best fishing in The Mackay Region, and its laid-back nature makes it a popular holiday location.
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TURTLE TIME Andrew’s Point not only provides breathtaking views, but is also a great spot to see turtles feeding on the grass beds. Turtle laying and hatching occurs between September and January or February.
ANCIENT ROCK The rocky headlands of the Hibiscus Coast provide insight into the region’s volcanic past. Rock formations and caves can be found on the way to the Wedge Island causeway.
enae therton Owner/Manager of Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park The rugged wilderness of Cape Hillsborough National Park is where Renae, her husband Ben and their three adventurous children under 10, call home.
Q: hat are the benefits of an escape to somewhere like Cape illsborough ational ark A: Time away from technology means families spend real time together. Mobile phone and internet reception is intermittent out here, so people have no choice other than to really relax and enjoy nature.
Q: ow can someone capture the famous scene of a wallaby on the beach A: The wallabies and kangaroos forage in the morning tide for food, however nature is unpredictable – some mornings there may be a few, whereas other mornings there can be up to 20. Sunrise is best as more of the wildlife is around, and the sky changes from pink and purple to a vivid apricot, welcoming a new day.
THAT SAPPHIRE PLACE Exclusive gallery and gem cutting workshop specialising in natural sapphire, solid Australian opal, natural ruby, natural emerald and more! Australian made jewellery is designed and sold on site! Pictured: Rare Queensland gold sapphire in white gold diamond set ring.
Corner Bruce Highway & Westlake Drive, The Leap QLD 4740 P: 07 4954 0011 E: thatsapphireplace@gmail.com Find us on Facebook!
Q: ow can people make the most of a holiday to the ibiscus Coast A: To truly immerse yourself in this special place, stay
longer than one night. Come prepared to unplug from the rest of the world, explore paths less travelled and leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Stay Cape illsborough ibiscus Coast
CAPE HILLSBOROUGH NATURE TOURIST PARK
THE FEATHERED NEST
A haven nestled in the natural surrounds of the beautiful Cape Hillsborough National Park Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park is the ultimate destination to seek respite from the pace of everyday living. Wake up to see kangaroos on their morning beach hop and keep an eye open for turtle and whale sightings during migration season.
Sometimes you just need to escape the rush of modern life and breathe in fresh country air. A place to getaway and take in some stunning surroundings. Nestled in a countryside setting, The Feathered Nest – Luxury Wildlife Retreat offers just that in the heart of the Mackay and Whitsundays region.
51 Risley Parade, Cape Hillsborough QLD 4740 P: 07 4959 0152 E: enquiries@capehillsboroughresort.com.au www.capehillsboroughresort.com.au
125 Royston Park Drive, Kuttabul QLD 4741 P: 07 4954 0387 E: relax@the-feathered-nest.com.au www.the-feathered-nest.com.au
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Sarina and Surrounds
Sarina is a charming rural township full of sugar cane heritage and historical attractions, 30 minutes’ drive south of Mackay.
Sarina Beach
DID YOU KNOW?
The Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal jetty is 3.8km in length, making it one of the longest coal loading jetties in the world.
SWEET SENSATION The Sarina Sugar Shed is Australia’s only miniature sugar mill and distillery. This multi award-winning attraction provides a fun and interactive way to learn about the local sugar industry. Displaying fully functioning, miniature sugar processing and distilling equipment, see how sugar is extracted from cane and taste a range of sweet delights (learn more on pg. 16-17). LOCAL ICON Keep an eye out for ‘Buffy’, the giant cane toad statue in the middle of Sarina. Buffy’s name is derived from its scientific name, Bufo Marinus.
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A STEP BACK IN TIME The Field of Dreams is a historical and educational park. Look back at a rich era of gold mining, sugar and coal at the Historical Centre, formerly St Anne’s Catholic Convent, or visit the Yukan Art Gallery, transformed from the old Yukan Station.
CURIOUS ABOUT COAL? The Port of Hay Point services a large number of Bowen Basin coal mines. A lookout can be discovered off Hay Point Road, complete with information boards. Nearby at beautiful Salonika Beach, find beachfront accommodation. SARINA’S TOP 3 BEACHES 1. Armstrong Beach A 12 minute drive from Sarina, Armstrong beach is a picturesque beach for walking. Head to nearby Freshwater Point, named by Captain Cook in 1770 when he was searching for fresh water. 2. Sarina Beach Sweeping golden sand, gentle rolling waves and a popular location for nesting turtles. This beautiful beach is fringed by an esplanade park with barbecue facilities. Enjoy lunch overlooking the coastal vista at a beachside restaurant. Beachfront accommodation is also available here. 3. Grasstree Beach This pretty bay is lined by sweeping trees and is shallow and sheltered, an ideal choice for swimming. An esplanade park with public facilities, picnic tables and a playground runs adjacent to the beach.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre is a Visitor Information Centre, located in the ‘Old Sarina Court House’, built in 1906.
lenys ansfield
Co-ordinator of Sarina Sugar Shed, owner of Sarina Motor Inn and Hideaway Restaurant and owner of Thirsty Sound Beach Bar and Grill at Sarina Beach.
Q: What is it that makes Sarina sensational? A: I enjoy the country hospitality and natural charm of this town. We have beautiful beaches just a short drive away and an amazing hinterland just over the range. It has great diversification in its industries - sugar cane growing and milling, cattle grazing, agriculture, tourism and some of the largest coal export facilities in the world.
SEA EAGLES BEACH RESORT
Q: What makes the Sarina Sugar Shed Tour special? A: The Sarina Sugar Shed is unique to Australia, a
miniature mill with a massive story to tell. Visitors are taken on a sensory journey where they see, touch, taste and smell the sugar cane. Plus, not many tours end with tasting sauces, rum, liqueurs and candy floss!
Q: What’s your favourite beach in Sarina and why? A: Sarina Beach is my favourite. This little beachside community enjoys uninterrupted views of the southern shores of the Coral Sea. Around September we look out for whales, which pass by near the shores.
Sea Eagles Beach Resort is 30km south of Mackay beachfront facing onto Salonika Beach, with (19) two storey self-contained two (2) bedroom townhouse apartments, fully equipped kitchen, fridge/freezer, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, laundry/washing machine, clothes dryer, bathroom, bath and showers, two toilets, main bedroom queen bed, second bedroom (2) single beds or double and single bed, dining room, LCD TV, DVD player, Foxtel, fully air-conditioned with fans, facilities, restaurant and bar, conference facilities, two pools and spas, barbecues, tennis, playground, volleyball, great fishing, close to Whitsundays islands and reefs, local boat ramp, corporate rates available.
149 Rasmussen Avenue, Salonika Beach, Hay Point QLD 4740 P: 07 4956 3322 E: reservations@seaeaglesresort.com.au www.seaeaglesresort.com.au
SARINA BEACH MOTEL Located only 37km south of Mackay, Sarina Beach Motel is set directly on the beach front and is nothing short of Picture Perfect, with white sandy beaches, endless blue seas and lazy, sun filled days. Our cocktail bar and restaurant is open 7 nights and the beachfront pool is simply relaxing.
44 Owen Jenkins Drive, Sarina Beach QLD 4737 P: 07 4956 6266 E: admin@sarinabeachmotel.com.au www.sarinabeachmotel.com.au
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Isaac Region
Head inland on the Peak Downs Highway, where the red soil of the outback contrasts with the ‘black gold’ extracted from the Isaac Plains coal mines.
DID YOU KNOW?
Theresa Creek Dam
On Capricorn Street in Clermont, the iconic ‘Piano in the Tree’ is a replica of an actual piano found in the tree after the floodwaters subsided.
Outback nature Peak Range National Park is one of the best locations to witness a golden sunset. The Peak Range has been built up by a sequence of volcanic lava flows, which erupted from the Peak Range volcano more than 30 million years ago.
Hoods Lagoon Take a picnic to Centenary Park and watch the variety of birdlife found near the shore of Hoods Lagoon. The footpath and boardwalk provides an insightful look into the history of Clermont with a collection of memorials.
Wolfang Peak At 572m, this is one of the most popular peaks of the range and takes approximately one hour to summit for experienced walkers.
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Theresa Creek Dam Twenty kilometres south-west of Clermont, discover the oasis of Theresa Creek Dam, an angler’s paradise. Golden perch, jewfish, barramundi and red claw can all be found beneath the tranquil surface. W
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Lord’s Table Mountain Take in the sweeping views of Lord’s Table Mountain, from the Lord’s Table Rest Area. Dine amongst nature, under the stars, for a real outback experience.
from upon the rugged outcrops of Clermont’s Wolfang Peak the beauty of the Isaac I’m short of words to speak the golden wheat fields shimmer and the sorghum’s rusty red and a sea of yellow swarms the land when the sunflowers come to head the region boasts its cattle and its crops are well renowned there’s coal there’s gold and copper below the fertile ground a piano rests upon the bough where flooding waters reached their peak and the “town that moved” to its current place from where it was built on Sandy Creek the beauty of the Isaac region come and see it for yourself more splendour than the brochure, that you gaze at on the shelf © By The Lockyer’s 2014 Title: Clermont with a view
Established in 1862, Clermont is one of the most historic towns in Northern Australia. Pull up and discover its dramatic past and surrounding landscape. Visit the award winning Clermont Historical Centre and Visitor Information Centre for your inland journey. visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 472 227
Murals in Clermont
Outback heritage Get an insight into one of Australia’s biggest export industries by visiting the mining towns of Coppabella, Dysart, Middlemount and Moranbah. Visit the abandoned mining town of Mt Britton. Isaac Regional Council maintains markers on the original streets, and displays historic photographs to give you a glimpse of the town in the 1880s. In the cattle grazing town of Nebo, the heritage-listed pub built in 1862 is the ideal place to get a taste of rural Australian hospitality. Co p p e r f i e l d S
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A trip to Nebo Museum gives an insight into this country town’s strong Indigenous cultural heritage, as well as an interesting European settler background. Visit the Clermont Historical Centre, displaying more than 8,000 artefacts reflecting the dramatic history of the town, from tragedy to prosperity. This
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is also the region’s Visitor Information Centre. Visit the memorial that marks the height of the 1916 floodwaters on the corner of Capricorn and Drummond Street. Copperfield was the site of Queensland’s first copper mines, and was once a bustling town of 2,000 people. All that remains today is a lonely brick chimney, a cemetery and the old general store. Fossick for gold in Clermont Gold was discovered in Clermont in 1861, and ever since, the town has found prosperity in metals, coal and agriculture. Purchase a fossicking licence and gold detector from a local Clermont business for your chance to take home a shiny souvenir.
Isaac Coast
Clairview
RUGGED 4WD ADVENTURE Cape Palmerston National Park is an off-road paradise. Open eucalypt woodland grows on the ridges, while mangrove swamps, rainforest and sand dunes are all part of the Cape’s rugged attraction. Traverse the Oceanside Cape to view abundant marine life below, including turtles, dugongs or humpback whales from June to September as they migrate north. FLAGGY ROCK Accessible by 4WD vehicles, Flaggy Rock Bluff provides beautiful 360 degree views toward the ranges and across the Coral Sea. Stop at a local café to indulge in home baking or sample some fresh ice cream.
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CARMILA BEACH Serenity at its best. Camp near the ocean and reel in the ocean’s bounty by trawling nearby estuaries.
ST. LAWRENCE One of the most historic towns on the Queensland Coast, St. Lawrence has some beautiful wetlands, home to more than 50 species of water and shore birds. Visit the historical church, cemetery and library, with some relics dating back to the mid-1800s. Cap
CLAIRVIEW BEACH With golden sand and rocky features, Clairview is an ideal beach for crabbing. Its protected waters are a sanctuary for a unique endangered mammal, the dugong. You may be lucky enough to sight one from the beach, otherwise diving or kayaking provides more opportunity to see one.
ILBILBIE Visit the Australian Prawn Farm on Notch Point Road for an insight into how these crustaceans are farmed. Toward the coast, the nearby settlement of Greenhill is perched above five small beaches, accessible from the settlement by car or on foot.
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Mackay City Centre is full of local fashion and other specialty retailers. Stroll the captivating laneways to explore more of the city.
Shopping and Markets Shop till you drop with specialty boutiques, unique art and favoured department stores. Mackay’s largest shopping centre is located beside the Pioneer River, with more than 230 stores. Mackay’s markets are becoming a weekend institution. Here you can discover an array of the freshest seafood and produce, artisan specialty foods, original art pieces and fashionable garments.
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The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
FRIDAY
WHEN (Each Month)
Paxtons Night Markets
First Friday
SATURDAY Showground Produce Markets
Every Saturday
Sarina Beach Markets
Second Saturday
Clermont Markets
First Saturday
The Leap Markets
First Saturday
NQ Babies and Kids Markets
Saturday, every three months
SUNDAY Marian Markets
Third Sunday
Seaforth Markets
Every Sunday
Eungella Markets
First Sunday (April-December)
Troppo Markets
Second Sunday
Mackay Marina Markets
Third Sunday
Sarina Showgrounds Markets
Last Sunday
Finch Hatton Markets
Second Sunday
Louisa Creek Markets
Last Sunday
Moranbah Markets
Last Sunday
Midge Point Markets
First Sunday
For more information on markets in The Mackay Region, head to: mackayregion.com
Drive Itineraries
Mining and Heritage Trail DAY 1 MACKAY – DYSART n Check out Greenmount Homestead – one of Mackay’s most valued heritage attractions.
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See the abandoned mining town of Mt Britton, then enjoy country hospitality in a heritage-listed pub in Nebo.
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View the large coal mine, Peak Downs, from the roadside.
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Visit the belly dump truck and coal wagon as you arrive in the northern end of Dysart.
Mackay Day Trip n
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Stroll the waterfront at Bluewater Quay and view impressive public art displays. Take in the city’s 1930s Art Deco era buildings and have breakfast or brunch at one of the many waterfront or city dining options.
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Refresh in the Bluewater Lagoon.
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Take a drive to Mackay’s Northern Beaches – an ideal destination to enjoy tropical tranquility and lunch.
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Return to Mackay and visit Artspace, Mackay’s regional public art gallery and museum.
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End your day at Mackay Marina and dine on the palm-lined promenade under the stars, overlooking the water.
SUGAR TRAIL n Drive south on the Bruce Highway to Sarina and stop at the historical buildings at the Field of Dreams.
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Take a tour of Sarina Sugar Shed, Australia’s only miniature sugar mill and distillery.
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While in Sarina, take a detour to one of the beautiful beaches or visit Hay Point, home to a lookout over large coal export facilities.
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Take the scenic drive past fields of sugar cane to the town of Marian. Visit historic Melba House and see the region’s largest sugar mill, which operates during crushing season, (June to November).
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End your sweet soiree with a tour of a working sugar mill at Farleigh.
For more drive itinerary ideas, visit mackayregion.com.
DAY 2 DYSART TO CLERMONT n Pass through Peak Range National Park and take a break at Lord’s Table Mountain.
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Visit the Clermont Historical Centre, displaying more than 8,000 artefacts.
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See the 1916 flood memorial, the nearby ‘Piano in the Tree’ and interesting memorials at Hoods Lagoon.
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Explore the abandoned copper mining area of Copperfield, the Copperfield Cemetery and the old general store, which closed in 1975. 37
Mackay Region Directories Getting Here & Around
Accredited Visitor Information Centres Company
Phone
Website or Email Address
Page ref
Mackay Visitor Information Centre
1300 130 001
www.mackayregion.com
Melba House Visitor Information Centre
07 4954 4299
www.mackayregion.com/pioneervalley
Sarina Tourist Art & Craft Centre
07 4956 2251
www.sarinatourism.com
07 4983 3311
www.isaac.qld.gov.au
Avis Australia
07 4967 3900
www.avis.com.au
Greyhound Australia
1300 GREYHOUND www.greyhound.com.au
Mackay Airport
07 4957 0201
www.mackayairport.com.au
Mackay and Whitsundays Taxis
13 10 08
www.mackaytaxi.com.au
Mackay Transit Coaches
07 4957 3330
www.mackaytransit.com.au
QantasLink
13 13 13
www.qantas.com.au
Queensland Rail Travel
1300 783 553
www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au
4
Visitor Information Centre Clermont Visitor Information Centre
Transport Facilities and Services
5
Tours & Attractions Mackay City & Mackay Marina Tours & Attractions Company
Phone
Website or Email Address
Page ref
Artspace Mackay
07 4961 9722
www.artspacemackay.com.au
15
Bluewater Lagoon
1300 MACKAY (622 529)
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Bluewater Trail
1300 MACKAY (655 529)
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Gordon White Library
07 4961 9300
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries
GoWake Cable Park - Mackay
07 4805 6143
www.gowakemackay.com.au
Jetstorm
0407 115 416
www.jetstorm.com.au
Mackay Airport Beach Horse Racing Festival
38
www.mackaybeachhorseracing.com.au
Mackay City Library
07 4961 9387
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries
Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC)
07 4961 9777
www.mackayecc.com.au
Mackay Marina Pty Ltd
07 4955 6855
www.mackaymarina.com
Mackay Museum
07 4953 0002
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
07 4952 7300
www.mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au
Mackay Regional Council
1300 MACKAY (655 529)
www.mackay.qld.gov.au
Megaforce Charters
07 4955 5290
www.megaforcecharters.com.au
Orchid House
1300 MACKAY (655 529)
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Stadium Mackay
07 4961 9777
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Town Hall
07 4961 9776
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
The Mackay Region - Nature. Reserved.
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Pioneer Valley Tours and Attractions Company
Phone
Website or Email Address
Page ref
Greenmount Homestead
07 4959 2250
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Melba House
07 4954 4299
www.mackayregion.com/pioneervalley
Mirani Library
07 4961 9231
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries
Pioneer Valley Museum
07 4961 9229
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Rainforest Scuba
0434 455 040
www.rainforestscuba.com
25
Reeforest Adventures
1800 500 353
www.reeforest.com.au
27
Walkerston Library
07 4959 2545
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries
Cape Hillsborough and Hibiscus Coast Tours and Attractions Ballantyne Strawberries
07 4958 8674
Facebook: Ballantyne Strawberries
That Sapphire Place
07 4954 0011
Facebook: That Sapphire Place
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal
07 4943 8444
www.dbct.com.au
Sarina Art Gallery
07 4961 9722
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Sarina Historical Centre
07 4956 2436
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/secrets
Sarina Library
07 4961 9297
www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries
Sarina Sugar Shed
07 4943 2801
www.sarinasugarshed.com.au
Clermont Historical Centre
07 4983 3311
www.isaac.qld.gov.au
Isaac Regional Council
1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227)
www.isaac.qld.gov.au
Nebo Museum
07 4950 5471
www.isaac.qld.gov.au
Paronella Park
07 4065 0000
www.paronellapark.com.au
Reef HQ Aquarium
07 4750 0800
www.reefhq.com.au
Company
Phone
Website or Email Address
Beachfront B&B
0409 554 247
www.noreenjensen.wix.com/ beachfrontbnbmackay
BIG4 Mackay Marine Tourist Park
07 4955 1496
www.mmtp.com.au
Blue Ribbon Motor Inn
07 4957 7995
blueribb@mackay.net.au
Central Tourist Park
07 4957 6141
www.centraltouristpark.com.au
Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina
1800 386 386
www.mackayaccommodation.com.au
Coral Cay Motor Inn
07 4957 7677
www.coralcayresort.com.au
Coral Sands Motel
07 4951 1244
www.coralsandsmotel.com.au
Lanai Riverside Apartments
07 4957 4401
www.lanaiapartments.com.au
20
Mackay Grande Suites
07 4969 1000
www.mackaygrandesuites.com.au
20
Mackay Rose Motel
07 4957 6572
www.mackayrosemotel.com.au
Oaks Carlyle
07 4963 6600
www.oakshotelsresorts.com/mackayaccommodation/oaks-carlyle/
21
Oaks Rivermarque
07 4862 7200
www.oakshotelsresorts.com/mackayaccommodation/oaks-rivermarque/
21
Ocean International
07 4957 2044
www.oceaninternational.com.au
20
Potter’s Oceanside Motel
1800 188 133
www.pottersoceansidemotel.com.au
20
Premier Caravan Park
07 4957 6976
www.premiercp.com.au
Quest Mackay
07 4829 3500
www.questmackay.com.au
Quest Mackay on Gordon
07 4842 1800
www.questmackayongordon.com.au
Riviera Mackay
07 4914 2460
www.rivieramackay.com.au
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Sarina and Serenity Coast Attractions
17
Isaac Region Tours and Attractions 33
Other Region Tours and Attractions
Accommodation
Mackay City & Marina Accommodation Page ref
18
18
mackayregion.com
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Mackay City & Marina Accommodation Company
Phone
Website or Email Address
Page ref
Seabreeze Resort Hotel
07 4955 1644
www.seabreezemackay.com.au
Shakespeare Motel
07 4969 0200
www.mackaymotel.net.au
Sun Plaza Motel
07 4951 2688
sunplaza@gmail.com
The Park
07 4952 1211
www.theparkmackay.com.au
White Lace Motor Inn
07 4951 4466
www.whitelace.com.au
Windmill Motel & Reception Centre
07 4944 3344
www.windmillmotel.com.au
Comfort Resort Blue Pacific
07 4954 9090
www.bluepacificresort.com.au
Dolphin Heads Resort
07 4944 4777
www.dolphinheadsresort.com.au
La Solana Holiday Units
07 4954 9578
www.lasolanaholidays.com.au
Leeway Beach House
0448 867 185
www.leewaybeachhouse.com.au
Mackay Beach Accommodation – Iluka
07 4946 1116
www.mackaybeachaccommodation.com.au
The Shores Holiday Apartments
07 4954 9444
www.theshores.com.au
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Northern Beaches Accommodation 23
Pioneer Valley and Eungella Accommodation Broken River Mountain Resort
07 4958 4000
www.brokenrivermr.com.au
Mirani Caravan Park
07 4959 1239
miranipool@bigpond.com
Neem Hall
0427 690 445
www.neemhall.com.au
Sarina and Serenity Coast Accommodation Sarina Beach Motel
07 4956 6266
www.sarinabeachmotel.com.au
Sarina Motor Inn
07 4943 1431
www.sarinamotorinn.com.au
31
Sea Eagles Beach Resort
07 4956 3322
www.seaeaglesresort.com.au
31
Cape Hillsborough and Hibiscus Coast Accommodation Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park
07 4959 0152
www.capehillsboroughresort.com.au
29
The Feathered Nest
07 4954 0387
www.the-feathered-nest.com.au
29
Clermont Caravan Park
07 4983 1927
www.clermontcaravanpark.com.au
Oaks Middlemount
07 4985 7577
www.oakshotelsresorts.com/oaks-middlemount
21
Oaks Moranbah
07 4941 5355
www.oakshotelsresorts.com/oaks-moranbah
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Company
Phone
Website or Email Address
Page ref
Caneland Central
07 4944 7111
www.canelandcentral.com.au
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Eimeo Pacific Hotel
07 4954 6805
www.eimeohotel.com.au
Harrup Park
07 4944 0000
www.harruppark.com.au
Mackay Fish Market
07 4953 2498
www.mackayreeffish.com
Magpies Sporting Club
07 4965 6100
www.magpiesmackay.com.au
Nebo Hotel
07 4950 5102
www.nebohotel.com.au
North Mackay Bowls Club
07 4942 3393
www.northmackaybowlsclub.com.au
Sorbellos Italian Restaurant
07 4957 8300
www.sorbellos.com.au
Southern Suburbs Leagues Club
07 4957 2166
www.southsmackay.com.au
Thirsty Sound Beach Bar & Grill
07 4956 6525
www.thirstysound.com.au
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Company
Phone
Website or Email Address
Page ref
Channel Seven
07 4963 0777
https://au.tv.yahoo.com
Core Publishing Events Pty Ltd.
07 4945 4429
www.corelife.com.au
Daily Mercury
07 4957 0444
www.dailymercury.com.au
Evergreen Interiors
07 4954 0765
www.evergreeninteriors.com.au
PRD Nationwide
07 4944 2800
www.prdnationwide.com.au/mackay
QLD Parks & Wildlife Service
07 4999 8534
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au
Skills Training Mackay
07 4963 2700
www.skillstm.com.au
Southern Cross Austereo
07 4953 2033
www.southerncrossaustereo.com.au
Isaac Region Accommodation
Shopping, Dining & Nightlife
Other/General Services
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