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.
The legendary diva Dame Nellie Melba spent the first year of her married life in a small house right in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, in Marian.
The house, built in 1882/83 and rescued from demolition by the Mirani Shire Council, was relocated from Marian Mill to a more prominent riverbank setting in Edward Lloyd Park. It now houses an accredited Visitor Information Centre, Melba Memorabilia display, an extensive array of local handmade gifts and souvenirs and Vintage Kiss Cafe (Cafe hours Tues-Fri 6am to 2.000pm/Sat-Sun 7.30am to 12.30pm).
Lloyd Park stretches for one kilometre along the bank of the Pioneer River and features a walking path, children's playground, barbecue facilities, and the 'Hens & Roosters' toilet block as well as access to the river for fishing, swimming, canoeing and platypus spotting - or just sitting and contemplating the beauty of the 'blue water' river.
A wonderland of waterfalls, lush flora and volcanic boulder formations contrast against a tapestry of sugar cane fields as you head through The Pioneer Valley and Eungella National Park.
Apart from being one of the richest sugar cane growing areas in Australia, this valley is by far one of the most picturesque in Australia, encompassing many rural townships where warm hospitality and delicious food can be enjoyed. Small towns to stop in along the way include Marian, Mirani, Pinnacle, Finch Hatton and finally, Eungella.
Marian, the gateway to the valley, is home to the region's largest sugar mill. Call into Melba House, an accredited Visitor Information Centre on the banks of the Pioneer River, to discover the house of famous Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Enjoy coffee and waffles at Vintage Kiss, a quaint cafe that operates on the verandah of Melba House.
After morning tea, continue on to Mirani and stop in at the popular swimming hole, Platypus Beach, just past the bridge.
Finch Hatton is a must-do. Hit the world-class mountain bike trails, with bike hire and transfers available, or travel to Finch Hatton Gorge where you can walk explore the Araluen Cascades and the Wheel of Fire waterfalls and swim in clear rock pools as water cascades from above.
Explore the Pioneer Valley via self-drive or with a guided tour.
Edward Lloyd Park is a a great river-side park enjoyed by locals and valley visitors alike. Close to Melba House and with access to a picturesque walking trail, this park is a great weekend destination. A shaded sand softfall playground caters ages 2 to 12.
It's named after the Clerk (1921 to 1954) of the former Mirani Shire, Edward Lloyd, who was instrumental in preserving and maintaining parkland in the Shire.
In addition to improved parking areas which can cater for all vehicles up to large buses and caravans, the park now boasts a family friendly playground, picnic shelters, barbecues and modern public toilets.
There is also a concrete walking/cycling track from Melba House to Marian State School - a distance of just over one kilometre - which is very popular with fitness seekers and walkers as it meanders along the Pioneer River bank giving views of the river and birdlife which frequents the area. If you are really lucky, you may see the local platypus sporting about.
The largest factory managed by Mackay Sugar, Marian Mill is situated approximately 30 minutes from the CBD in the regional town of Marian - nestled amongst some of the highest yielding sugar cane land in our region. On average, Marian Mill produces approximately 280,000 tonnes of raw sugar, 70,000 tonnes of molasses and exports 6,900 MW hours of electricity.
Marian Mill was first built in 1885, but closed after a few years. The Marian Central Mill Co Ltd erected a new mill in 1894 under the Sugar Guarantee Act, and the first crushing took place in 1895. In 1966, the shareholders of Marian Central Mill Co Ltd voted to sell the assets and liabilities of that company to the cane farmers supplying the mill, who formed the Marian Mill Co-operative Society Limited.
In 1988, Marian Mill, together with Cattle Creek, Farleigh, North Eton and Racecourse mills, amalgamated and purchased Pleystowe Mill to form the Mackay Sugar Co-operative Association Limited.
A unique feature is the mural on the Engineering shed depicting a cane fire - rarely seen these days as most cane is cut green. Access is restricted but easily visible from the road. You will pass by the Marian Mill just before you reach Melba House.
Cape Hillsborough National Park, approximately 45 minutes north of Mackay, is where you'll find rainforest meets the shoreline, volcanic headlands, eucalypt forests home to koalas and kookaburras and prehistoric rock formations.
Cape Hillsborough Beach provides one of the most iconic Australian photo backdrops and is a dream for photographers searching for that 'wow' shot.
Wallabies and kangaroos scour the morning tide for mangrove seed pods, seaweed and coral sand dollars. Enjoy the sunrise as wild marsupials bound up and down the beach.
Remember however, that these are wild animals and should be treated as such. Please do not feed the kangaroos and wallabies and ensure to keep a safe distance at all times.
Sarina Beach a favourite coastal escape for both locals and visitors alike, in the Mackay Region. Just minutes from the township of Sarina, this relaxed seaside destination invites you to slow down and soak in the stunning ocean views with Golden sands, rolling waves and nesting turtles.
Sarina Beach is perfect for a family day out, beachside picnic or leisurely afternoon by the sea. Enjoy a meal overlooking the coastline at the beachfront restaurant located at the end of the esplanade, where fresh sea breezes and scenic views complete the experience, Fringed by a shady esplanade park with picnic areas and barbecue facilities.
Sarina Beach is patrol season, the beach is watched over by the local Surf Lifesaving Club, making it a popular spot for swimming and seaside fun. Visitors can also stay a little longer with convenient motel-style accommodation nearby. Try your luck fishing straight from the beach or explore the rocky northern point where shellfish can often be found among the rocks.
Just a short drive away, Campwin Beach offers another picturesque coastal stop. Take in sweeping views from the lookout overlooking Grasstree Beach — the perfect place to pause, relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Mackay region.
Bufo Marinus—though around Sarina, he's known to everyone as "Buffy" the town's most charming oversized Cane Toad.
Perched proudly in the centre of Sarina, about 35 kilometres south of Mackay, Buffy didn't start life as a permanent resident. Back in 1983, he was lovingly crafted from paper mâché as a float for a local sugar festival. But the locals liked him so much that they couldn't bear to let him hop away—so he was recast in sturdy fibreglass and given a forever home as a tribute to Sarina's cane-farming roots.
Today, Buffy sits smack-bang on Broad Street (which also happens to be the Bruce Highway), relaxing between the northbound and southbound lanes like the unofficial traffic controller of Sarina.
The area around Buffy is surprisingly well-equipped for toad-spotting. You'll find angled parking, public loos, a gazebo, rubbish bins, and shaded picnic tables—all perfect for settling in, enjoying a snack, and grabbing a must-have photo with one of Queensland's most iconic "big things."
Hop on over, say hi, and don't forget to snap your best toadally awesome selfie with Buffy!
Take an opportunity to explore a relatively unspoiled area that has retained much of its original historic charm while having developed into a thriving business area.
Collectively known as the Serenity Coast, the townships that stretch from Hay Point to St Lawrence enjoy a selection of beautiful beaches and prime fishing locations. Enjoy the area's country hospitality, scenic mountain ranges, national parks and prime fishing locations.
Some of the key attractions within the Serenity Coast include Cape Palmerston National Park, Notch Point and the dugong sanctuary in Clairview. Visit one of many unspoiled beaches providing swimming, sailing and fishing as well as sweeping views of the surrounding coastline from selected lookouts.
The undeveloped wilderness surrounding Cape Palmerston's camping areas provides access to excellent fishing locations and rugged bush walks. Experience magical glimpses of elusive fireflies which inhabit the bushland area in the evening.
One of the most historic towns on the Queensland Coast, St Lawrence was originally built to service the Customs Office for the Port of St Lawrence. Many historic buildings can be viewed in the town.
This is the perfect area to plan your next family holiday - camping on the beach, exploring the coastline and switching off while enjoying the wilderness.
Smalleys Beach is situated approximately 35 kilometres north of Mackay and is part of the Hibiscus Coast. This secluded beach is also located in the Cape Hillsborough National Park and offers limited camping sites. Facilities include toilets, and small secluded sites. Water must be brought with you. Camping is by self registration. A gravel road can be accessed from Cape Hillsborough Road to Smalleys Beach to camping sites. Camping sites have great access to the picturesque beach and walking trails.
Visit the National Parks website to make a booking.
Come and join them for their 'Paddock to Glass Experience', interactive and fun, learn how they make their liqueurs, their flavour profiles and how to mix for maximum enjoyment!
Journey through their distillery process and discover how they transform sugar cane into premium spirits. Enjoy delicious nibbles, tastings of their handcrafted products, and sample a signature cocktail or mocktail. With plenty of fun, fascinating insights, and laughs along the way, their Cocktail Experience is an unforgettable event.
Sarina Sugar Shed is a multi-award winning attraction that offers a genuine and authentic paddock-to-plate food tourism experience that explores the journey of sugar production, from sugarcane to their finished distilled products and homemade condiments.
Through their daily guided tours, Sarina Sugar Shed celebrates the achievements of the sugar cane pioneers who brought great prosperity to the region through their back-breaking work and mechanical ingenuity, and then, via their miniature mill, they demonstrate the process of taking the raw sugar cane plant and turning it into both crystallised sugar ready for refining and ethanol for alcohol production.
The journey ends with tastings of the products that they produce which highlight the many delicious uses of sugar, including rum, rum liqueurs and fruit liqueurs made onsite in the boutique distillery, plus their range of Sugar Shed chutneys, relishes and sauces, and non-alcoholic ginger beer.
With offerings in the café, such as house-baked scones with homemade strawberry jam, cheese and tasting platters using their own chutneys and relishes, and 6 flavours of ice cream made in-house, Sarina Sugar Shed is a true food tourism experience, satisfying the sweet tooth of all ages.
Hibiscus Coast is located 20km north of Mackay, where a string of charming seaside escapes awaits. This stunning stretch includes, Seaforth, Halliday Bay, Ball Bay, and Cape Hillsborough. It's the ultimate coastal retreat, think peaceful beaches, shady picnic spots and soothing soundtrack of waves and wildlife.
Cape Hillsborough National Park lies at the heart of the Hibiscus Coast, where lush rainforest meets the sparkling waters of the Coral Sea. Here you can stroll along breathtaking beach shared with friendly wallabies at sunrise, explore scenic walking trails, and soak in panoramic coastal views.
For something more off grid, set your sights on Newry Island National Park, Launch your boat from Victor Creek and camp on a remote island, where you'll find the intriguing remains of an abandoned resort near the campsite, adding a touch of mystery to your island escape.
