Located on the coast of Queensland, the Mackay region offers all the best of Australia, with everything from secluded islands and golden beaches, to lush, subtropical rainforests. Its pristine, glistening coastline and verdant rainforests make it a must-see destination if you're heading to Australia's east coast. With such a vast array of things to see and do in Mackay, it is best explored in a rental car.
As well as beautiful beaches and rainforests, Mackay has an array of unique wildlife and offers visitors the opportunity to see some of Australia’s most famous animals in their natural habitat.
Mackay is a handsome town with a historic centre, famous for its Art Deco architecture, which dates back to the 1920s and 30s, when much of town was rebuilt after a devastating cyclone. Today, Mackay remains architecturally distinct and a drive around the town offers the opportunity to take in some of its most famous sights.
Aside from beautiful architecture, Mackay also boasts a vibrant dining scene with plenty of restaurants to choose from. After exploring the town in your hire car, be sure to stop off and sample some fantastic local food before driving onwards.
Meet the local wildlife
A 40-minute drive north of Mackay will bring you to Cape Hillsborough National Park. Here you can spend endless amounts of time soaking up the natural beauty. We recommend getting up before sun rise and heading to the beach where you can see wallabies frolicking on the sand at dawn.
Get below the surface
If you’re keen on diving, jump in your rental car and head inland to Eungella National Park, where you can dive with platypuses or cast a line at some of Queensland’s best fishing spots. There’s nothing quite as quintessentially Queensland as catching your own dinner. Make sure to tick this off your bucket list.
Explore ecological diversity
Eungella National Park is one of Queensland's most ecologically diverse areas, with a vast array of plant life and wildlife to satisfy your curiosity. If you want to stay on dry land and check out some platypuses, head to the Broken River viewing platform to catch a glimpse of some splashing in the waters below. If you fancy staying after dark, you’ll also get the chance to see tawny frogmouths and possums as they ogle you from the cover of nearby trees. For those looking for a the thrill of more adventure, try flying above tree canopies on a zipline tour.
Kick back on Blacks Beach
With six kilometres of white sand and lapping waters, Blacks Beach is well worth the short drive out of town. Jump in your rental car and on arrival you'll find an oasis where beach-goers relax under the shade of soaring palm trees, fish for bream and whiting from the shore, or simply admire the endless ocean view from nearby restaurants. With its gentle waters and soft, white sand, this exquisite beach is the perfect spot for swimmers and sunbathers alike.
Sundowners at Sarina
As the sun sets, make your way to the sleepy beachside town of Sarina for an evening stroll and a barbecue dinner by the ocean. As night sets in, keep watch for nesting turtles as they scuttle about on silver sand in the moonlight.
From its crystalline beaches, to the native wildlife and tropical rainforests, Mackay offers a wealth of wonders to those who venture here. With warm weather all year round, and beautiful views at every turn, this is a place for the adventurous and the curious alike. For the best way to see it all, jump in a rental car and hit the road.
Wherever you want to go, you’ll get there in a rental car from Hertz.
