Attractions

  • Dining

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    Mackay is an unexpected foodiedestination.

    Appreciate the tropical and native flora while enjoying breakfast or lunch amongst the beautiful Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. Come relax or take in the view and local wildlife from the shady alfresco deck.

    A short walk from Alara finds you at the Shamrock Hotel. This is the perfect spot to catch up with mates for dinner and a drink; it even has a sports bar if you want to watch the football.

    After a busy shopping spree there is nothing nicer than a cold beer and Bavarian in Canelands shopping centre is just the spot. Located at the Matsuura Drive entrance of Caneland Central, this brand new, family-friendly venue offers quintessential dishes and a large range of imported and local beers.

    You certainly don’t need to travel the globe to experience the taste sensations of North America, Asia, Europe and India – simply stroll through the city and stop in for a bite! From spicy Mexican, aromatic Indian and homely Italian to an array of Asian fare, Cuban cuisine and fresh Aussie produce – Mackay’s City Centre is without a doubt a treasure trove of culinary delights.

    A former railway station that was relocated to the rainforest, the Old Station Teahouse is a lovely spot to call into after seeing the kangaroos and wallabies on Cape Hillsborough.

  • Shopping

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    You want to shop; we have got you covered. Canelands is literally a 2-minute drive, or a little further afield across the river we have Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre & Northpoint Retail is homemaker heaven.

    Caneland Centralis the premier shopping and lifestyle destination in the Mackay region and is conveniently located in the city centre. It offers the widest variety of stores and services with over 200 stores together with Myer, Target, Big W, Woolworths, Coles, JB Hi Fi and Best & Less.

    Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre - providing you with access to retail, food and dining as well as essential household items, products and services.

    Northpoint Retail,the perfect place to shop. The home of your favourite shops - BCF, Rebel Sports, Snooze, the Good Guys, Supercheap, Curtain Wonderland, Reece Plumbing to name just a few.

  • Nature at its Best

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    Pioneer Valley & Eungella National Park Walk the well-formed tracks to the Araulen Cascades or Wheel of Fire waterfalls at Finch Hatton Gorge and take a refreshing dip in the freshwater swimming holes. Walk the banks of Broken River to see a platypus in its natural environment.  Adventure opportunities are plentiful - scuba dive in the rainforest waters with platypus, or to zip-line through the tree-top canopy.

    Cape Hillsborough & Hibiscus Coast Flanked on one side by the reef and on the other by rainforest, the park is scattered with walking trails including bush walks through rainforests teeming with tiger blue butterflies, walking the barnacle encrusted rocks to Wedge Island or exploring the vine strewn rainforest of Hidden Valley.  Smalleys Beach has the kangaroos and wallabies that come down for a spot of beach combing every morning.

  • Mackay Marina Village & Shipyard

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    The Marina Village & Shipyard is a 10-minute drive away. Not just a marina, you will also find accommodation, fresh seafood, shops, bars and restaurants. It is a Port of Entry to Australia with Australian Customs and Border Protection & D.A.F.F. on site. Great to watch well-rehearsed choreography of  the large ships loading and unloading.

    The marina is next to sandy Harbour Beach and home to the Pine Islet Lighthouse, one of the only working kerosene lighthouses left in the world.

    A short drive from the Mackay Marina is Slade Point, where an elevated lookout provides glorious panoramic views out towards the southern islands of the Great Barrier Reef. At the foot of the lookout, Lambert’s Beach is a family-friendly picnic location, with shady trees, a children’s playground and a patrolled beach