Destinations

Beaches

The Mackay region's diverse coastline ranges from city beaches just minutes from town, to deserted National Parks.

Town and Illawong beaches are close to Mackay's Central Business District, just some of the 31 beaches in the Mackay region.

The northern beaches and the picturesque Hibiscus Coast offer easy touring options. Visit Bucasia, Blacks Beach, Dolphin Heads or Eimeo - with its cliff top location offering multi-million dollar views of the coast from the hotel.

Secluded beaches within Cape Hillsborough National Park offer you the chance to see possums and native birds at Smalleys Beach and Ball Bay.

Rocky Hoop Pine headlands form part of Cape Hillsborough, a 816 hectare national park with walking paths including the Jupiera Aboriginal Boardwalk Trail. See wild kangaroos, wallabies and bush turkeys on the beach, an unforgettable memory.

Then head to St Lawrence, a port which was frequented by paddle steamers in the 19th century. The "Serenity Coast" encompasses Sarina Beach, popular Salonika Beach which is home to echidnas, loggerhead turtles and bush turkeys and the industrial coal terminals at Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point.

Places to visit

Armstrong Beach
Armstrong Beach is renowned for fishing and prawning, these activities are best attempted from the beach, a Four Wheel Drive is required to launch a boat from the beach. From Armstrong Beach head to freshwater point, which is where Captain Cook first landed in 1770 looking for freshwater, hence its name. Armstrong Beach facilities including a picnic area and caravan park accommodation.

Cape Hillsborough National Park
In Cape Hillsborough National Park, rainforest literally meets the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, providing unique habitats for plants and animals. Rugged, rainforest-clad hills plunge to rocky headlands of rhyolite boulders. Created by volcanic activity, the boulders separate white sandy beaches in this scenic and peaceful park. The Yuibera Aboriginal people continue their traditional use of the rich natural resources found here. The 1.2 kilometres Yuibera plant trail illustrates traditional uses of native plants. Observe more than 150 species of birds and 25 species of tropical butterflies. Enjoy a range of walking tracks. Along the award-winning Diversity boardwalk, see shell middens from Yuibera feasts. Explore tidal rock pools. On a moonlit walk along the beach you will discover thousands of crabs scurrying for food. Camp or picnic at Smalleys Beach.

Harbour Beach
A five to ten minute drive north of the city centre and adjacent to the multi-million dollar Reef Marina development, the popular Harbour Beach is patrolled and is a favourite with locals - offering the ideal spot for picnics, fishing and swimming. The Harbour Beach area is renowned with locals for good jew, mackerel, trevally, bream and tuna fishing.

Also nearby the Harbour is Mulherin Park, a shady retreat with barbecues, picnic tables, public toilets and children's play area.

It is also home to the Mackay Surf Life Club, Mackay Yacht Club, Satchmo's tapas restaurant, the Lighthouse Seafood Restaurant, take-away and sports bar. Enjoy lunch overlooking the beach and tropical off shore islands.

Claireview
Clairview is approximately 123 kilometres south of Mackay city. Wet a line at Clairview Beach while sitting back and enjoying the view... you might even see a dugong or two. Clairview is a popular fishing and crabbing village with camping permitted in designated areas and a caravan park with full facilities. During the winter months, local groups sell arts and crafts and offer morning teas and soups.

Dolphin Heads
Dolphin Heads is a part of the Northern Beaches in Mackay and is 10 to 15 minutes drive from the city centre. There is a beautiful resort located along the beachfront of Dolphin Heads.

At low tide, you can walk from Eimeo Beach to neighbouring Dolphin Heads, which is believed to have been named after the unique characteristics of its headlands, which appear similar in shape to the heads of two dolphin.