42 things to do in Mackay with kids

Longing to play under the sun, scour the reefs for multi-coloured fish or interact with native wildlife? Mackay is one of Queensland’s most popular destinations for snorkelling and diving at the magical parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Beneath the horizon is a thriving marine ecosystem with vibrant coral waiting to be explored. Above water, families can roam subtropical rainforests, home to Australia’s most loved animals. If you are looking for the best things to do in Mackay with the family, here are some popular places and activities to add to your itinerary.

The city has Art Deco buildings and palm tree-lined streets, surrounded by gargantuan sugar cane farms, more than 30 beautiful beaches and inland waterways, fish-filled reefs and wildlife-packed rainforests. Add a stack of family-friendly accommodation and enticing weather all year round, and this wonderfully wild slice of Queensland has all the ingredients for a sure-fire family holiday hit.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef

Mackay is a prime destination for snorkelling tours and day trips to the Great Barrier Reef. To reach the best remote locations, you must travel by boat to arrive at the stunning underwater shoals. There are several opportunities for the family to explore colourful marine life with snorkelling and diving tours. Ocean excursions organised by local guided tours will guarantee a unique experience across a range of the finest locations within the reef.

Book an island tour

Mackay is a holiday destination known for its picturesque and untouched islands scattered along the Great Barrier Reef. One of the best things to do in Mackay is take a boat out to the islands. Island tours are the most popular method of travelling across the reef and provide the best snorkelling experiences. The Islands Tour, run by Wildcat Mackay, has a family-inclusive and activity-packed itinerary that visits the coastal islands, including Keswick, St Bees, Scawfell and Brampton.

Highlights of the day trip include offshore swimming, snorkelling through vibrant reefs and paddleboarding around the islands. The tour provides all the equipment you need, as well as lunch and snacks.

Discover Keswick Island

Mackay’s nearby islands offer more than sunny swim spots and powdery white beaches. Keswick Island is one of the awesome places to visit as it’s less frequented and can only be reached by ferry or on a boat tour. The island is home to a wealth of flora and fauna discoverable on the hiking trails beyond the shores, which can be explored on foot or in a golf buggy. If sandcastles on the beach and splashing in calm waters is what you desire, Keswick has two tranquil locations, Connie Bay and Basil Bay. At sunset, you can experience the magic of fireflies igniting the dusk sky.

Keep reading:

• 200 things to do in Tropical North Queensland with kids
• Road trip through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac Region from beach to reef
• 12 best Queensland holiday destinations for kids

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sarina Sugar Shed

Located south of Mackay is the Sarina Sugar Shed where you can satisfy your sweet tooth and discover the local sugar cane industry. Take the guided tour through the sugar mill and distillery to learn about the sugar production process. The kids will love it when it ends with tasting yummy products, including chutneys, ice creams and distilled liqueurs.

Enjoy a day at the Bluewater Lagoon

Mackay’s Bluewater Lagoon is a large swimming park located in central Mackay with views of the Pioneer River. The lagoon prides itself on providing a safe, family-oriented environment for all kinds of water activities, and the best part? Entry is free.

For the kids, there is a water playground and slides to keep them entertained for hours. Adults can cool off in the deeper areas or watch the kids from the comfort of the Bluewater Lagoon Café. If you are interested in an all-day outing, there are barbecue facilities on the grass around the lagoon.

Visit Eungella National Park

The Eungella National Park is a protected wilderness environment, home to a variety of Australian native species of plants and animals. Namely, the elusive platypus that lives within Broken River, which weaves through the park. Specialised viewing decks within the park allow for optimal platypus viewing – that is if you’re lucky enough to spot the shy creatures. Take the designated walking tracks to explore the park at your leisure and soak in the rich cultural history from the information boards. The riverside route through the park provides a new perspective when travelling via kayak or canoe along the scenic waterways.

Hidden among the rainforest is Cameron’s Pocket, a bit of a local secret. The boulder-strewn swimming hole is vast, inviting and certainly worthy of dipping in.

Trek through Cape Hillsborough National Park

Up the coast, 50 kilometres northwest of Mackay, is another must-see national park destination and popular camping spot. Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park is unique due to its diverse ecosystems, including dense rainforests, beaches and rocky headlands. At the beach, kids can search rock pools filled with hidden creatures cramped in dark crevices. Get lost inland exploring the lush bushland, with gently trickling creeks and streams to accompany you.

The national park has a spacious campsite if you wish to stay longer. Wallabies and kangaroos, and occasionally echidnas, can be spotted meandering the beach at dusk and dawn. For the early risers, follow these marsupials to the beach at sunrise for an unforgettable experience.

Hit the beach

Mackay is renowned for its beautiful beaches. The long, sandy stretches at Illawong Beach and Harbour Beach are popular spots for building sandcastles and settling in for some fun in the sun. Hailed as one of the best beaches in Mackay and approximately 20 minutes drive from the city centre, Eimeo Beach has some prime shady areas. Behind the beach, Eimeo Esplanade has a playground, picnic tables, barbecues and other public amenities.

Visit the Regional Botanical Gardens

Once you have had your fill of lounging at the beach and exploring the underwater world, a walk in the Regional Botanical Gardens provides fresh scenery. An eight-minute drive from the centre of Mackay, the gardens exhibit gorgeous native landscaping, expansive viewing decks and boardwalks alongside the wetlands.

Wildlife spotting

One thing Mackay has no shortage of is furry, feathered and flippered critters. Visitors could easily spend a week here on a DIY wildlife safari, spotting platypus and echidna, kangaroos and wallabies, stunning native birds and incredible marine life. Head to Salonika Beach for sightings of echidnas and, on occasion, loggerhead turtles, whales and dolphins.

Spot whales from Lamberts Beach Lookout

North of central Mackay, nestled beside Slade Point, are the breathtaking views from Lamberts Beach Lookout. Glimpse the stunning views of the beach, ocean and nearby town from the lookout’s vantage point. If you are travelling to Mackay during June and July, the lookout is an optimal viewing location for migrating whales. There is even a telescope for the kids to watch majestic humpbacks crest over the ocean.

Go Forest Flying

This activity is for the thrillseekers looking to go extreme in the wilderness. Located an hour’s drive west of Mackay, the Forest Flying zipline soars through the Finch Hatton Gorge through luscious rainforest. With a bird’s eye view high above the canopies, this unique viewing experience immerses you in the environment from a different angle.

Shop at Caneland Central

After enjoying all the outdoor activities Mackay has to offer, retail therapy might be what you need. Within the city centre of Mackay, Caneland Central shopping centre has over 240 stores for all your shopping requirements. You’ll find a range of cafes, restaurants, entertainment and toys, fashion, gift shops and accessories.

Araluen Waterfalls in Finch Hatton Gorge

Families love the 3.2-kilometre return trek through lush and lovely Finch Hatton Gorge to the mystically pretty Araluen Waterfalls. Surrounded by rainforest, the kids can paddle in the cool and clear rock pools at its base. Should your kids be feeling adventurous, there’s a slightly more challenging trek through Finch Hatton Gorge to the Wheel of Fire Cascades. Here, you’ll find another beautiful waterfall with a large rock pool. Cattle Creek, under the bridge on the way back to Mackay from Finch Hatton Gorge, is another local favourite. It’s also a top spot for fishing, so bring a line and let your kids see if they can catch dinner.

Get creative at Artspace Mackay

For families inclined towards arts and culture, visiting Artspace in Mackay is an educational and entertaining family outing. Artspace invites you to celebrate public art at its regular events and workshops within the gallery. You can discuss, learn about and make your own creations – all for no cost. If you are travelling with toddlers or young children under five, the gallery has an art program and craft club for kids to explore their creative abilities.

Meander the Riverside Market

This small fresh produce market is located by the Pioneer River at the Bluewater Quay. Local producers sell fresh fruit and vegetables, handmade artisan goods, sweet treats and flowers. Food trucks and stalls offer great food and cool drinks, as well as live music to set the tone.

Walk or cycle the trails

Close to the heart of Mackay are two local walking and cycling paths along the Pioneer River. The Gooseponds Trail and Bluewater Trail are both family-friendly tracks known for scenic environments, local wildlife and public accessibility. Ducks and turtles can be found in the pond at Gooseponds Trail, as well as a skate park and several playgrounds for children.

The Bluewater Trail is a shared bicycle and pedestrian pathway which forms a circuit around central Mackay. If your family is eager for a leisurely walk or bike ride, the track winds almost 20 kilometres alongside the river and links several major attractions. Local art installations and sculptures are also featured against the river backdrop.

Fish or paddleboard on the Pioneer River

The Pioneer River cuts through the centre of Mackay, with a stunning view of some of the city’s main highlights. The waterway provides plenty of opportunities for recreational activities along the bank and in the water, such as sightseeing from a paddleboard, kayak or canoe.

Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre

Located in the centre of Mackay is the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre, or the MECC for short. As the largest convention centre between Brisbane and Cairns, the MECC hosts a range of entertainment events, festivals and shows all year-round. Check the website for upcoming art exhibitions, family events, comedy festivals, concert performances, food expos and musicals.

Discover Queens Park

For kids who have an adventurous spirit and a thirst for the outdoors, Queens Park boasts a well-equipped playground that the kids can enjoy for hours. The playground has three fantastic play areas suitable for big and little adventurers that feature climbing walls, netted bridges and a hamster wheel.

Once everyone is thoroughly tuckered out, visit the lovingly curated space within the Mackay Orchid House located in the park. For all your botanical interests, this quaint glasshouse is packed with various native and exotic orchid species sprouting from the ground and hanging from the ceiling. Entry for colourful flora fans is free.

Visit Mackay Museum

Brush up on the local history and discover the region’s culture at the Mackay Museum. The museum is small but full of rich heritage and a collection of historical information in the form of artefacts, documents and photographs. It is an educational experience where dedicated guides explain the indigenous culture of the area and the subsequent settlement of the Europeans.

Go wild at Wake House

If your family is looking for more action-packed activities in Mackay, wakeboarding might be the thrill you are seeking. Wake House is a water park specialising in wakeboarding activities for the whole family. For those new to wakeboarding, the park offers training sessions from beginner to advanced, as well as introductory sessions for children. For those content with watching from the sidelines, the sessions can be enjoyed from the cafe and bar deck overlooking the action.

Challenge yourself at Escape Rooms Mackay

Escape Rooms Mackay is the best place to visit for an immersive escape experience. There are two themed escape rooms. Work together to solve difficult puzzles and riddles. Put your heads together to uncover hints and clues in a thrilling race against the one-hour timer. This interactive experience is sure to create lasting memories that will leave the whole family wanting to return.

Spend a rainy day at the Mackay Leisure Centre

The Mackay Leisure Centre is the perfect venue for indoor family fun. Play a game of laser tag, skate rings around the indoor rink or get a high score in tenpin bowling at the alley. If the kids still have energy, there are a range of arcade games available.

Where to eat in Mackay

• Let’s Do Greek on MacAlister St is where you can enjoy fresh, authentic Mediterranean cuisine. This restaurant is popular for its amazing service and delicious Greek food.
• Oceans Bar & Restaurant on Bridge Rd is a lovely oceanside spot for food and drinks with a view.
• For your morning coffee fix, visit the popular local cafe, The Dispensary, which can be found on Wood St. By night, it is a fine dining establishment with a wealth of food options for all your dietary needs and live music to set the mood.
• Love dinner and a show? The Mt Pleasant Tavern on Malcomson St offers a modern, family-friendly location for hearty pub meals, karaoke and trivia.
• Fusion128 on Victoria St is a great option for lunch and dinner. For the picky eaters, there is a variety of mouth-watering menu items, from Japanese ramen and seafood laksa to crème brûlée.
• A popular local pub is the Austral Hotel on Victoria St, offering bistro food and pool tables for family entertainment. It is known for its excellent steaks.
• The Grazing Goat Cafe on Wood St is a pet-friendly establishment for furry family members and prepares delicious food and drinks to start the day.
• To satisfy your craving for authentic and tasty Singaporean dishes, the Jim-Me Kitchen on Sydney St has reasonably priced meals and excellent service.
• Coral Cay Bar & Grill on Nebo Rd is open for dinner on weekdays, serving fresh seafood and succulent meats. There is also a weekday breakfast buffet option.
• Try a pie made fresh daily from local ingredients at the historic Pinnacle Family Hotel.

Satisfy your sugar cravings

• Sprinkles and Love on Nebo Road has a wonderful selection of cakes and pastries that are as delicious as they look.
• Parked inside Caneland Central shopping centre is the Hellacool Creamery, a cute dessert truck that serves waffles, ice cream and sugary shakes with close attention to detail for a wonderful presentation. Certainly, a popular spot the kids will enjoy.
• Pain Au Chocolat Patisserie on Victoria St bakes fresh French pastries and sweet treats for breakfast and lunch.
• If you have a preference for bubble tea and frozen treats, the Bing Cha on Victoria St is open late for dessert options and refreshing drinks.
• For somewhere more familiar to the family, there is a Gelatissimo on Victoria Street. This gelateria is always a popular chain for a creamy delicacy with too many flavours to choose from.

Places to stay in Mackay

Whether you’re looking to stay by the beach or within the city centre, Mackay offers a range of modest, family-friendly accommodations. Most places often include a pool and an on-site restaurant – perfect for a reprieve after a long day of sightseeing or travelling.

• For families wanting a beachside stay, the Ocean International Hotel sits beside the beautiful Coral Sea and offers rooms with balcony views and beach access.
• The Coral Cay Resort Mackay offers affordable two and three-bedroom apartments, located a short distance from the airport and situated near all the popular spots. This hotel also accepts furry family members.
• Mackay Resort Motel provides family suite options with kitchen facilities and spacious living areas.
• Alongside the Pioneer River, Lanai Riverside Apartments is a contemporary hotel with a selection of modern apartments overlooking stunning views of the water. For families wanting more luxury, this hotel offers kid-friendly accommodation with balconies equipped for outside dining, a large outdoor pool, gym, sauna and BBQ facilities.
• The Windmill Motel is a modest and peaceful place to stay for those seeking to escape central Mackay for a little more privacy. Overlooking a nearby creek, this motel offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool and spa, tennis courts and a lake for recreational fishing.

This article is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter here.

Keep reading:

• The best holiday parks in Australia
• Feeling lucky? Check out our latest competitions

Queensland family accommodation