Discover Mackay: Art, Gardens and Waterfront Trails

Mackay offers a range of ways to tailor your trip to your interests: contemporary regional art, a trail of approximately 20 km along the Pioneer River, botanical collections and play areas for children. When choosing your holiday rental, consider which of Mackay’s attractions you’d like to shape your holiday.

Art and culture in different ways

Artspace Mackay is a contemporary regional art gallery in the Civic Centre Precinct. It hosts exhibitions by local, national and international visiting artists. Public programs, talks and workshops complement the offering. Art enthusiasts will find a distinct cultural focus here; the visiting artists’ varied backgrounds offer different perspectives on the exhibition program.

The Fifth Lane Street Arts Project takes a different approach: this outdoor gallery features murals, paste-ups, digital art and community art. Several forms of visual expression sit side by side, rather than focusing on just one art form. Another way to experience public art is the Mackay Public Art Walk, a self-guided, interactive tour. You can choose between these options depending on whether you’d like to include exhibitions, outdoor art or an interactive walk in your trip.

History and cultural heritage are also among the things to discover. The Mackay City and Waterfront Heritage Trail tells the story of Mackay’s pioneering spirit, its people, heritage and culture. Bluewater Quay was built around the historic Leichardt Tree. In Queens Park, cultural signs tell stories of the Yuwi, their land and their animals. Each of these experiences has its own focus: city history, a historic tree or the stories of the Yuwi.

Green spaces, plants and wildlife

The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens showcase the flora of the Central Queensland Coast bioregion. Their botanical focus gives a visit a different character from an art or cultural program. The gardens are also home to the Under the Banyan Playgarden. It is fully fenced, shaded and suitable for children aged 2 to 12—specific features families can consider when choosing outings to enjoy together.

In Queens Park, the Ken Burgess Orchid House offers a special look at orchids: it is home to more than 600 species. Queens Park also has a playground suitable for children aged 2 to 12. Families can take these details into account when planning outings around their children’s interests, while plant enthusiasts can focus on the Orchid House. The Sandfly Creek Environmental Walk is also an important habitat for migratory birds of the coastal region. Those interested in migratory birds and coastal habitats will find another aspect of Mackay’s natural environment here.

Waterfront and aquatic experiences

The Bluewater Trail runs for approximately 20 km along the banks of the Pioneer River. Factor this approximate distance into your day’s plans if the trail is on your itinerary. For a different aquatic experience, Bluewater Lagoon is located in Mackay’s Central Business District. It has three pool levels and admission is free. This makes the Lagoon a practical option for travellers who also take admission costs into account when planning activities.

Which side of Mackay suits your trip?

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to decide on your preferred focus first: would you like to prioritise art and culture, explore green spaces and plants, or set aside time for family-friendly outings? The approximate length of the Bluewater Trail and free admission to Bluewater Lagoon can also factor into your plans. This way, you can tailor your search for a holiday rental in Mackay to the experiences that really matter on your trip.

More places to discover

You can also discover these places: Surfers Paradise, Bullyard, Cannonvale, Butchers Creek, Upper Tenthill, Red Hill, Cottonvale and South Molle Island.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.