Making the most of Mackay
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The port is 5 km from town.
Set along some of Queensland's most scenic coastline, the Mackay Region has an impressive 31 beaches and several tropical islands within Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
At the southern entrance to Whitsunday Passage lies attractive Brampton Island, almost entirely covered by national park and edged by twelve beaches. Stay at romantic Voyages Brampton Island Resort or take a day cruise to the park's walking routes and beaches; day-trippers cannot enter the resort. An untouched area beside Brampton contains Meleluca forests and basic camping facilities.
Food and shopping
Restaurants, themed pubs and residential apartments at the redeveloped marina look across a huge stone spit and long expanses of open beach.
Money
The currency is the Australian dollar.
Opening Hours and
Shops and services usually trade Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many shops stay open later on Thursday or Friday evening, generally to 9pm, and all day Saturday. Shopping centres frequently open on Sundays too.
Roadhouses in remote rural areas offer every essential service and generally operate 24 hours a day beside major highways. Tourist offices, including those well away from usual routes, are often open daily or at least throughout the week and on weekend mornings. Information centres in urban areas tend to follow ordinary shopping hours.
Museums, galleries, staffed historic monuments and other visitor attractions often open each day, although opening times in rural communities can be irregular.