Tourism

Tourism is becoming increasingly important to Mackay's economy with a good mix of leisure, business and visiting friends and relatives.  The Mackay region is a diverse and attractive tropical holiday destination, from rainforest to reef.  With an abundance of significant natural attractions including national parks, gorges, the Great Barrier Reef, islands and numerous unspoilt beaches, the region offers a wide range of tourism experiences.  The rainforest habitats in the Eungella ranges offer the rare opportunity to observe platypus in its natural habitat.

Mackay City is a relaxed tropical city and regional service centre, expanding rapidly on the back of a buoyant regional economy.  The city now offers a wide range of tourism amenities and activities, uncrowded and authentic in comparison to some other destinations.  The region's relaxed and welcoming people are an important asset. 

There are significant developments underway that will complete the current tourism industry and offer opportunities for increased investment including:

• Mackay Convention Centre
• Bluewater Lagoon
• Bluewater Trail

Future growth opportunities for tourism in the Mackay region include development of short break and fly/drive markets, based around air access and cheap airfares; and increasing the mix of attractions to include resort-based, eco- and educational tourism, study tours and trade missions.

Other options to be pursued include the development of business tourism, including the lucrative convention market; increasing backpacker market share with additional accommodation; and development of the special interest groups market based around national parks, islands, Great Barrier Reef and wildlife, with conducted interpretive tours for the Great Walks, 4WD tours to the highlands and indigenous culture.

^{Photo courtesy Mackay Marina and Shipyard}

For further informatio on Tourism please visit Mackay Tourism Limited or Tourism Queensland.