Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Mackay

Mackay

Mackay, an established coastal city surrounded by vast acres of sugar cane, lies at the mouth of the Pioneer River and is the main centre in the Whitsunday region. The Pioneer Valley was first settled in the 1860's with strong growth prompting Mackay to be chosen as a port for supplies into the region. By the late 1860's, sugar was first grown in the valley and Mackay has evolved into the sugar capital of Australia as it provides a third of the nation's crop. The city is also the commercial centre for the surrounding area, has more recently become a port for the numerous inland coalfields and is an important stop for motorists on the Bruce Highway. Mackay's city centre is outstanding - many of the city's streets are lined with palm trees, has a vibrant shopping precinct, several historic buildings, Jubilee Park and other parkland abutting the Pioneer River. Also in the area are Eungella National Park (80km west - a standout park consisting of thick rainforest & several waterfalls), sugar cane & mill tours, Great Barrier Reef tours & chartered cruises to the numerous offshore islands, Harbour & Illawong beaches, lookouts at Mt Oscar (4km north) and the nearby towns of Bucasia, Eimeo and Slade Point (10km north) which also offer unspoilt beaches. With an all year-round great climate and excellent tourist facilities, Mackay is a recommended destination.

For further information & photos for Bucasia, Eimeo, Slade Point, Blacks Beach & Dolphin Heads, refer to the separate page of Mackay Northern Beaches.

Population: 52,000
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Named after Captain John Mackay, the first European explorer in the area.
Pronunciation: Ma-ky (often mispronounced as Mack-ay)
Postcode: 4740
Local Government: Mackay City Council
Location: 968km north west of Brisbane
Main Roads: Bruce Highway , Peak Downs Highway
Main Watercourses: Pioneer River, Coral Sea (South Pacific Ocean)
Radio Stations (Music): 4MK-FM (101.9), Hot FM (100.3), Sea FM (98.7), Triple J (99.5)

Photos from Mackay (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

View south over Mackay city centre and Pioneer River from the Mt Oscar lookout, Mackay (2004).

And again, this time looking south-east over North Mackay and Round Top Island, Mackay (2004).

And again, this time looking east over High Street, North Mackay, Radar Hill and Mackay Harbour (2004).

And again, this time looking north-east over Theo Hansen playing fields, Slade Point and Keswick & St Bees Islands (in the distance), Mackay (2004).

Looking east along the Pioneer River and the Forgan Bridge (2004).

Looking north along Sydney Street as it approaches River Street and the Forgan Bridge (2004).

Sydney Street, looking south from River Street, Mackay (2004).

Sydney Street, looking north from Gordon Street, Mackay (2004).

Wood Street, looking south from River Street, Mackay (2004).

Victoria Street, looking east from Gregory Street, Mackay (2004).

Victoria Street, looking east approaching Sydney Street, Mackay (2004).

Gordon Street, heading east from Gregory Street, Mackay (2004).

Malcolmson Street, heading east between Norris and Glenpark Streets, North Mackay (2004).

Harbour Road, looking north-east from Evans Avenue, North Mackay (2004).

Harbour Road, looking north-east as it approaches the Slade Point Road roundabout, Mackay Harbour (2007).

Looking north-east over Mackay Harbour from Radar Hill (2007).

Mackay Harbour & Marina, looking north from Ron Searle Drive (Causeway) (2007).

Harbour Beach, looking south from Ron Searle Drive, Mackay (2007).

Palm Tree grove, looking north in JM Mulherin Park, Mackay Harbour (2007).

View south towards Mackay Harbour and Harbour Beach from Lamberts Lookout, Slade Point (2007).

Looking south-east over sugar cane fields towards Mt Oscar from Bucasia Road, North Mackay (2007).

Heading south-east along the Bruce Highway from Bucasia Road, North Mackay (2007).

The Bruce Highway, heading south-east approaching Nebo Road, Mackay (2007).

Nebo Road (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Mogford Street, Mackay (2004).

And again, this time approaching Bagley Street, Mackay (2004).

The Bruce Highway, heading north approaching the Peak Downs Hwy junction, Mackay (2004).

	View south over Mackay city centre and Pioneer River from the Mt Oscar lookout, Mackay (2004).
	And again, this time looking south-east over North Mackay and Round Top Island, Mackay (2004).
	And again, this time looking east over High Street, North Mackay, Radar Hill and Mackay Harbour (2004).
	And again, this time looking north-east over Theo Hansen playing fields, Slade Point and Keswick & St Bees Islands (in the distance), Mackay (2004).
	Looking east along the Pioneer River and the Forgan Bridge (2004).
	Looking north along Sydney Street as it approaches River Street and the Forgan Bridge (2004).
	Sydney Street, looking south from River Street, Mackay (2004).
	Sydney Street, looking north from Gordon Street, Mackay (2004).
	Wood Street, looking south from River Street, Mackay (2004).
	Victoria Street, looking east from Gregory Street, Mackay (2004).
	Victoria Street, looking east approaching Sydney Street, Mackay (2004).
	Gordon Street, heading east from Gregory Street, Mackay (2004).
	Malcolmson Street, heading east between Norris and Glenpark Streets, North Mackay (2004).
	Harbour Road, looking north-east from Evans Avenue, North Mackay (2004).
	Harbour Road, looking north-east as it approaches the Slade Point Road roundabout, Mackay Harbour (2007).
	Looking north-east over Mackay Harbour from Radar Hill (2007).
	Mackay Harbour & Marina, looking north from Ron Searle Drive (Causeway) (2007).
	Harbour Beach, looking south from Ron Searle Drive, Mackay (2007).
	Palm Tree grove, looking north in JM Mulherin Park, Mackay Harbour (2007).
	View south towards Mackay Harbour and Harbour Beach from Lamberts Lookout, Slade Point (2007).
	Looking south-east over sugar cane fields towards Mt Oscar from Bucasia Road, North Mackay (2007).
	Heading south-east along the Bruce Highway from Bucasia Road, North Mackay (2007).
	The Bruce Highway, heading south-east approaching Nebo Road, Mackay (2007).
	Nebo Road (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Mogford Street, Mackay (2004).
	And again, this time approaching Bagley Street, Mackay (2004).
	The Bruce Highway, heading north approaching the Peak Downs Hwy junction, Mackay (2004).