A week in Mackay
We spent a week in Mackay, catching up with Cameron’s mum and dad, who flew up from chilly Melbourne in search of sunshine, and found it…mostly. It was a relaxed week of catching up, warmish weather, and some low-key exploring.
Mackay’s a curious city—very spread out, with lots of big roads and not always the most…um…attentive drivers. It leans more industrial than charming, and you’ll do a bit of driving to get anywhere. That said, there were still a few gems that made the visit memorable.
The Art Gallery impressed us with its thoughtful exhibitions, and we were lucky to arrive during the Mackay Festival, which came with a surprise dose of whimsy: giant inflatable frogs lounging around the town centre. They were easily the most chilled-out locals we met.
We also enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Shamrock Hotel, solid pub fare with great service and zero frogs.
We stopped in at the Sarina Sugar Shed and we’re glad we did. It’s a small but fascinating look into the sugar industry, with a great tour that walks you through the process from cane to crystal. The guides were full of knowledge (and puns), and there were plenty of tasty samples to keep things sweet. A fun and informative morning that left us just a little bit more appreciative of our sugar fix.
We stumbled across the Mackay Orchid House, tucked inside the Queens Park Gardens. It’s a small space but beautifully curated, with an incredible display of colourful and rare orchids. The scent hits you as you step inside, and even if you’re not usually into flowers, it’s hard not to be impressed. Quiet, free, and unexpectedly lovely — it ended up being one of our favourite stops in Mackay.
We wandered through Fifth Lane in Mackay’s city centre and were surprised by the burst of colour and creativity. The street art here is bold, vibrant, and constantly evolving, turning a plain laneway into an open-air gallery. It’s a great spot for a wander and a few snaps, with murals that range from abstract to playful. Definitely one of Mackay’s more unexpected highlights.
It was lovely having a week with family, and while Mackay might not have stolen our hearts, the time together more than made up for it. After waving Mum and Dad off at the airport (back to “sunny” Melbourne), we pointed the van west and headed for the hills—Eungella National Park was calling.
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We spent a week in Mackay with family, exploring art galleries, sugar tours, vibrant laneway murals, and orchid-filled gardens. While the city didn’t charm us completely, the time together made it memorable.