Looking to have fun in the Mackay Region with your family? We’ve got your back. Whether you’re planning a camping trip or looking for a lazy day at the beach, we’ve got you covered with these 10 best locations to spend Easter weekend!
Sarina Sugar Shed – The Sarina Sugar Shed is a one-of-a-kind attraction native to the Mackay Region. It is also a fun family destination with something to do for visitors of all ages. Enjoy taste testing with your kids, buy them a candy floss to indulge their sweet tooth. And as for the adults, take a guided tour or try the amazing (award-winning) rum or ginger beer. (Pro tip: Try the Sugar Shed’s amazing gourmet sauces, they’re definitely some of the best you’ll ever taste. Trust us!)
Directions: The Sugar Shed is just a 30-minute short drive out of Mackay on the Bruce Highway.
SHAUN THE SHEEP – The internationally-acclaimed Australian circus ensemble Circa and Academy Award® winning studio Aardman, bring Shaun the Sheep to the stage. It combines the extreme physicality and awe-inspiring feats of Circa and the playful charm of the multi-award-winning TV series Shaun the Sheep. The Circus Show is must-see family entertainment full of heart-warming comedy delights. The show will provide an amazing spectacle for the entire family, and make mum, dad, and the kids all happy.
Directions : The show is will be played at the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre (MECC) , located on Alfred Street in the Regional Council compound.
Bluewater Lagoon – Three-tiered lagoons, each with a different depth level and a water slide and fountain. What more could you need? Bluewater Lagoon is a free fun waterpark for all ages. Overlooking the picturesque Pioneer River and in the heart of the city centre in Mackay, the lagoon provides a perfect spot for a fun splash in the water on a warm day. (Pro tip: Try their delicious pancakes at Pancake Bliss Cafe. Both you and your kids will love them.)
Directions: Bluewater Lagoon is located in Mackay’s CBD on Matsuura Drive just across from Caneland Shopping Centre
Cape Hillsborough - The sunrise at Cape Hillsborough is breathtaking. Don’t believe us? Go visit it yourself. The beach at Cape Hillsborough is home to one of the most unique spectacles in the world. Every morning, Wallabies and Kangaroos come down to the beach, just as the sun rises on this piece of paradise. Trust us, this is a once-in-a-lifetime sight that you must see, regardless of your age. Take your kids to see this spectacle and make an Easter memory you’ll never forget.
Directions: Cape Hillsborough is approximately 50 km away from Mackay. You can get there by driving onto the Bruce Highway and onto Yakapari Seaforth Road and then turn right at Cape Hillsborough Road.
Lambert’s Beach – Lambert’s beach is the perfect place to have a lazy day by the ocean. You could take a dive in the saltwater or visit the nearby Lambert's Lookout, which offers fabulous sea views out to Cumberland Island. The beach also has shady areas, picnic tables, public toilets, showers, play equipment and barbecues if you’re keen on a picnic. Overall, Lambert’s Beach is the ideal place to spend a family-friendly fun day.
Directions: Lambert’s Beach is a quick 10 min drive away from Mackay’s CBD and you can get there by following Harbour road onto Slade Point Road
BarraCrab Caravan Park– Is Easter the time of the year you take your family camping? If the answer to that is yes, have you thought of BarraCrab? Wonderful views, a beach front bar and amazing dining are just some of the things that you can expect to get at BarraCrab Caravan Park. Not only that, but they also have fully air-conditioned bungalows and a wide variety of fishing opportunities to offer. At BarraCrab, you can catch everything from Barra, Salmon and Flathead to Whiting and Mud crabs. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your family (and your fishing rod) and head to Barracrab soon as.
Directions: The BarraCrab Caravan Park is an hour and a half away from Mackay. The best way to get there would be to head down the Bruce Highway towards Rockhampton.
Yuibera Plant Trail - Easter is usually the time to relax with your kids and what better way to do that than to get in touch with nature and walk on a family-friendly plant trail. Enjoy the diverse landscapes and natural adventure that adore the rugged coastline of Cape Hillsborough National Park. This is probably the only place in the world where lush and fertile rainforests meet the rocky headlands and the golden sand of the coastline. It is also the perfect place to spend an Easter holiday with your family that you’ll never forget.
Directions: The Yuibera plant trail is in Cape Hillsborough National Park, which is about 50 km north of Mackay. The trail starts in the Hidden Valley, just over 1km from the southern end of the Cape Hillsborough day-use area.
Cameron’s Pocket Swimming Hole - Are Easter holidays usually quiet for you and your family? Do you prefer secluded places over busy ones? Then this might just be the perfect location for you. Cameron’s Pocket Swimming Hole is a secluded slice of heaven, complete with both a beach and a rainforest nearby. It also has a small waterfall and some absolutely majestic views that should help you take stunning pictures.
Directions: Cameron’s Pocket is about 65 km away from Mackay. The quickest way to get there from Mackay would be to drive onto the Bruce Highway and then onto McIntyre Street before continuing on Calen Mount Charlton Road.
Picnic in Eungella – If you’re keen on a rainforest Easter picnic with the family, then Eungella National Park is the spot for you. The national park’s serene beauty and the diversity of the animals that live there are sure to wow visitors of all ages. The national park is also one of few places in the world to watch the platypus in its natural habitat, so this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience (there are a couple of experiences in the Mackay region that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world.) If you want a breathtaking view of the whole national park, you can get that at Eungella too. Just drive up to the Sky Window lookout and enjoy the best of nature in the Mackay Region.
Directions: The best way to get to Eungella National Park is to take the aptly named Mackay Eungella Road
Finch Hatton Gorge: - Finch Hatton Gorge is a must-see destination in the Mackay Region. A fun family-friendly tourist spot, the gorge is full of wonderful landscapes of waterfalls, lush flora and volcanic boulder formations. There is something for everyone to do. You could take a dip in the stony pools, walk along the popular trails in the rainforest, or visit the Wheel of Fire Cascades - a beautiful cascading waterfall with a rock pool to swim in. The Finch Hatton Gorge is the perfect place to spend a memorable Easter Holiday.
Directions: Finch Hatton Gorge is about an hour’s drive away from Mackay and you can visit it by taking Mackay Eungella Road before turning right onto Owens Creek Loop Road.