Joanna James
The sugar cane capital of Australia, Mackay is well known for its platypus. However, with plenty of other interesting sights, this region is great for anyone looking to get closer to nature.
If you are someone who absolutely loves water sports, try skiing down the Kinchant Dam. It is very popular amongst locals and you can find them towing the boats to the location during the weekends. Even if you are not a fan of skiing or you do not have the equipment required to ski, the surroundings still have plenty of outdoor activities to do. The banks are excellent for a picnic or an overnight camping session while the water is great for swimming. Furthermore, the water is teeming with cods and sooty grunters, making it a perfect location for a spot of fishing. Getting to the location will not be easy and will definitely require a vehicle. The forty kilometre journey involves going through scenic landscapes so don't forget to have your camera out!
A visit to Mackay is not complete without spotting these clumsy and elusive creatures. Known to frequent the Eungella National Park, most Mackay hotels, the likes of Oaks Carlyle can organize a tour so you can lay your eyes on these iconic cuties. The park has specially built viewpoints from where you can watch the platypuses frolic around in the water.
Curving next to the river, this scenic trail is a scenic walking path that goes past some of the major recreational locations in the city. These locations include the Bluewater Lagoon (more on this below) and Botanic Garden. Furthermore, it connects to many other scenic trails like the Catherine Freeman Walk which all line the river banks. Regardless of if you are cycling or walking, the Bluewater Trail is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and definitely something you shouldn't miss.
A popular hotspot to shrug off the sometimes unbearable Mackay heat, the Bluewater Lagoon is a free pool open to people of all ages. It consists of 3 tier swimming pools which consist of a total area of one hundred and fifty metres. Depending on your swimming skills, you can choose between the deeper ones or the shallower pools. Moreover, the nineteen and a half metre slide is well worth a try but will usually require a wait in a long queue. For the kids, there is a water playground with a wide number of activities that are guaranteed to keep them busy throughout the afternoon. Lifeguards continuously patrol the pool so you don't have to worry about your kids!
This is a popular lookout spot all-year around. From here you can expect wonderful views over the surrounding beaches, the Cumberland Islands and other places of interest. The best times to visit Lamberts Lookout are during sunrise or sunset but thanks to the shaded areas and picnic tables, you can drop by here for an evening picnic and stay on till sunset!
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