Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
Explore the region
Explore Mackay and its coastal suburbs, with day trips to the Pioneer Valley, Sarina, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough.
Listings across Andergrove, Blacks Beach, Bucasia, Cape Hillsborough, Eimeo, Eungella, Finch Hatton, Mackay, Marian, Mirani, Sarina, Shoal Point, Slade Point, South Mackay, West Mackay.
Attractions and places to visit
57 places in this selection. Opening hours, access and admission vary; check the place details.
Mackay Harbour Beach is a favourite beach with locals and visitors alike. Only a five minute drive from Mackay's Central Business District, it is home to the Mackay Surf Lifesaver Club and is seasonally patrolled.
Mackay Harbour Beach is located near the Mackay Harbour Breakwater, offering multiple fishing locations. Jew, Mackerel, Trevally, Bream and Tuna are all caught near the harbour waters.
This is also a pet-friendly beach, however dogs are required to remain on their lead during your stay in the area. There are two nearby park areas with playgrounds, shaded picnic tables and barbecue facilities and public toilets.
Delicious dine-in and takeaway meals are also available at the marina precinct.
It's a perfect place to get some exercise in along the many footpaths or enjoy a picnic on the grass.
Welcome to X-Golf Mackay, your local indoor golf and sports bar! Join them for casual rounds, tournaments, coaching sessions, or private hire. They've paired a relaxed atmosphere with a full bar and a curated menu, making it the perfect spot to catch the game or relax with friends. X-Golf's premium simulators provide accurate ball data and access to world-renowned international courses. From casual group bundles to tailored event packages, they offer flexible options for different occasions.
Slade Point is a short five-minute drive from Mackay Harbour and is one of the few locations in the region where you can enjoy both a stunning sunrise and sublime sunset.
Slade Point Reserve lies at Lamberts Beach, stretching 73 hectares and conserving one of the Mackay region's last remaining areas of coastal dunes and paperbark wetlands. Visitors can walk through the reserve.
Lamberts Lookout perched above Lamberts Beach provides an excellent vantage point to view the spectacular coastline, including passing whales during migration season. In addition, Slade Point's Water Tower was recently painted in a whale theme and is now a popular spot for photography.
Ram Chandra Park provides picnic tables and barbecue facilities overlooking beautiful Slade Bay for a relaxing beach barbecue dinner.
Purchase some fish and chips and head up to the Slade Point Lookout to enjoy an afternoon of whale watching.
Lamberts Beach is seasonally patrolled and the nearby Lambert's Lookout offers fabulous sea views out to the Cumberland Islands. It's also a popular spot for surfers when the swell is right, and a great whale watching platform during the winter months. The recently renovated lookout features a whale watching pavilion.
Shady areas, picnic tables, public toilets, showers, play equipment and barbecues are all available at Lamberts Beach, at Ram Chandra Park. Slade Point Reserve is near Lamberts Beach, stretching 73 hectares and conserving one of the last remaining areas of coastal dunes and paperbark wetlands in the Mackay region. Visitors can walk through the reserve.
Lambert's Beach, Lambert's Lookout and Ram Chandra Park can all be found on Pacific Esplanade, Slade Point.
Lamberts Beach and Slade Point, on the other side of McReady's Creek, are often favourite haunts for mackerel and reef fish.
There is a resort hotel located at Slade Point for accommodation across the beach and ocean view dining.
For the adventurer, a rock pool exists on the beach to the left of the lookout. It is a great place for photos and has been dubbed the 'wishing well'.
Overlooking Lamberts Beach, the Cumberland Islands and Slade Point; Lamberts lookout offers stunning views especially at sunset. This is also a popular viewing platform to see the migrating whales as they breach and play off the coast of Mackay.
This beautiful location is also one of the few places in Mackay you can watch both a sunrise and a sunset, and is a popular location for wedding photography. The lookout also provides views toward a rustic old water tower which has been painted in a marine whale theme.
In 2017 the lookout was upgraded to include features such as a landmark pavilion and two dedicated viewing areas with seating and interpretative signage. The upper level provides unspoiled 360 degree views and is equipped with binoculars for whale watching and other wildlife spotting.
Onsite parking has also been improved with provision made for small tourist buses and RV campervans and there is now a disabled parking bay.
Shaded areas, picnic tables, play equipment and barbecues are all available at Ram Chandra Park beside Lamberts Beach.
Lamberts Beach, Lamberts Lookout and Ram Chandra Park can all be found on Pacific Esplanade, Slade Point.
Blacks Beach stretches approximately six kilometres along Mackay's Northern Beaches, Blacks Beach is the region's longest continuous beach and a popular destination for locals and visitors seeking a relaxing coastal escape. Located just 15 minutes north of Mackay's city centre, the beach is easily accessible via Mackay Bucasia Road, with entry points from both Coral Drive and Bourke Street.
Visitors can enjoy a range of facilities, including picnic areas, barbecues, playgrounds and public amenities, making it an ideal spot for a family day out. The expansive shoreline provides plenty of space for beach walks, sandcastle building and simply soaking up the stunning ocean views.
Blacks Beach is also home to a variety of beachfront accommodation options, from caravan and camping sites to self-contained apartments, motels and resorts. Wake each morning to the soothing sound of waves gently rolling onto the shore and experience the laid-back charm of Mackay's northern coastline.
A favourite among walkers, the beach is pet-friendly, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenic foreshore with their furry companions. Please note that pets must remain on a lead and under control at all times.
Fishing enthusiasts can cast a line directly from the beach, with bream and whiting commonly caught along the shoreline. For excellent fishing opportunities, head to the southern end near the mouth of McCreadys Creek, a well-known local fishing spot.
Mango Avenue - The Heart of Eimeo Village
Mango Avenue is the centrepiece of the picturesque Eimeo Village, offering visitors a truly unique experience. The avenue is lined with majestic mango trees, some over 80 years old, stretching between Whittles Lane and Heidke Street. These towering trees form a spectacular canopy, rising 20 meters above the streetscape, and are heritage-listed as a must-see attraction.
As the main access route to Eimeo Beach, Mango Avenue naturally guides visitors toward one of the region's most loved swimming and picnic spots, making it an essential stop when exploring the Northern Beaches.
Don't forget your camera or sketchpad! The stunning natural tunnel created by the trees' intertwining branches offers endless inspiration for photography and art enthusiasts.
Nearby, visitors can enjoy dining and refreshments at the local hotel or Surf Life Saving Club with stunning coastal views and food and drink, providing the perfect way to round out a visit.
A drive through Mango Avenue and a visit to Eimeo Beach are unmissable experiences when exploring the Mackay Isaac Region.
Eimeo Beach - A Serene Coastal Escape
Nestled in a tranquil bay with powder-soft sand, Eimeo Beach is a beloved destination for both locals and visitors seeking fun in the sun.
During the summer months, volunteer lifeguards provide seasonal patrols, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for beachgoers.
Eimeo Beach is conveniently located just a 15-minute drive north of Mackay's Central Business District. Follow the Bruce Highway north and turn right onto Mackay-Bucasia Road toward the Northern Beaches. At the roundabout near the Northern Beaches Shopping Centre, take a right onto Eimeo Road.
As you approach, you'll pass through Mango Avenue, a heritage-listed canopy of lush mango trees that stretch between Whittles Lane and Heidke Street, offering a scenic and shaded drive.
Enjoy a seaside picnic at the Eimeo Esplanade, a lovely beach-side park with stacks of parking, barbecues, a shaded sand softfall playground for ages 2 to 9 and lots of seating and shelter. The esplanade also features fresh water showers, drinking fountains, and public toilets.
Head to the Eimeo Pacific Hotel or the Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club for food and drinks with stunning views of the Coral Sea, Eimeo Beach, and the southern Whitsunday Islands.
Eimeo Beach is perfect for swimming, fishing, or simply unwinding in the idyllic surroundings.
Bucasia Beach is located in Mackay's beautiful Northern Beaches, Bucasia Beach is a relaxed coastal destination loved by locals and visitors alike. With approximately four kilometres of soft white sand, it is one of the longest beaches in the Mackay Region and the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely stroll, cast a fishing line, cool off with a swim, or simply soak up the peaceful seaside atmosphere.
Take in stunning views across the coastline towards Dolphin Heads and the picturesque Cumberland Islands while enjoying the gentle sea breeze. The beach is a favourite among anglers, particularly at high tide when Flathead can often be caught from the shore. The southern end of the beach, near the sandy spits and mangroves of Eimeo Creek, is a popular fishing spot and also features a convenient boat ramp for easy access to the water.
Bucasia Beach is also a great destination for pet owners, with a designated off-leash area between Williams Avenue and Symons Avenue where dogs can run and play along the sand.
For families and day-trippers, Seaview Park on the Bucasia Esplanade offers excellent facilities including barbecues, shaded picnic tables, public toilets, drinking fountains and a children's playground. A café located nearby provides the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee or meal by the beach.
Shoal Point is the northern-most community of the Northern Beaches group, with a visually spectacular coastal beach. At low tide, the beach can almost be mistaken as a small sweeping desert. The sand stretches for hundreds of metres, allowing a close-up view of Green Reef Island.
Watch as thousands of tiny blue Soldier Crabs scuttle along the mudflats, burying themselves into the sand.
Take a blanket, choose a spot to dig your toes into the sand and watch a sublime sunset.
Boats can be launched straight off the beach with easy access to nearby estuaries for crabbing and a spot of whiting fishing.
An esplanade park provides shade, picnic tables, a playground and barbecues as well as picturesque views of the beach.
The Pioneer River, one of the few 'blue water' rivers in Queensland, and its main tributary, Cattle Creek, flow through the heart of the Pioneer Valley, from the Clarke Connors Ranges in the South and West to the Pacific Ocean at Mackay.
Access to the river is restricted by freehold ownership except for a few areas such as beside Edward Lloyd Park where access paths are maintained, including one just 50 metres from Melba House. Access in the Valley to the river is also possible at Pleystowe (boat ramp), Mirani (Platypus Beach - next to road bridge), Mia Mia (next to the road bridge), Pinevale, Gargett (next to road bridge), and Neem Hall (Finch Hatton). Canoeing, kayaking, platypus spotting and swimming are just a few of the activities the river provides.
Local residents fish the river for sooty grunter and barramundi - both species are renowned for their fighting ability. In addition, groups of Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) are frequently seen near their burrows on the northern bank behind Melba House. A wide variety of native and migratory bird species, including ducks, swans, pelicans and cormorants, and fresh water turtles also frequent the river.
Flowing through the heart of the Mackay Region, the Pioneer River is one of Mackay's greatest attractions.
The Cane Cutter Memorial is a significant heritage landmark located at Melba House in Marian, approximately 28 kilometres from Mackay. Erected in 1994, the memorial honours the pioneering families who helped establish and shape the Marian district.
Situated within Edward Lloyd Park, beside the historic Melba House, the statue stands as a tribute to the region's strong agricultural roots. Plaques on the plinth record the names of residents who settled in the district prior to 1900, while additional panels acknowledge families who made Marian their home in the years that followed.
The statue is surrounded by a grove of trees planted by members of the pioneering families. The Cane Cutter Memorial offers visitors a chance to connect with the history, resilience, and community spirit that underpin the Mackay Isaac region.