Nature’s Calendar: Mackay Isaac in 2026
Some of the best moments in Mackay Isaac don’t come with tickets, start lines or set times. They arrive with the seasons, the tides and a little bit of patience. From ocean giants passing the coast to quiet creek-side encounters, this is a place where nature runs on its own schedule. All you have to do is know when to show up.
January onwards: cast a line, anytime
While much of Queensland hits pause on estuary barramundi fishing over summer, Mackay Isaac keeps things moving. Thanks to four freshwater dams across the region that sit outside the Net Free Zone, anglers can target barra all year round even while the rest of the east coast waits for the season to reopen.
Then, on 1 February, barra season officially opens again, welcoming anglers back to rivers and coastal systems just as the year finds its rhythm.
Mackay’s coastline has been a Net Free Zone since 2015, protecting waters from St Helens to Cape Hillsborough, including the Pioneer River. The result is healthier fisheries and a strong local fishing culture built on care and respect.
Check out Hooked On Mackay for the inside line on fishing in the Mackay region.
June to November: eyes out for whale-time
Come winter, the ocean becomes one of Mackay Isaac’s most rewarding spectacles. Between June and November, majestic humpback whales make their annual migration up the Queensland coast, passing right by our shores as they travel between feeding and breeding grounds. Watch for mighty tails plunging back into the deep, curious calves playing near the surface, or pods breaching in rhythm with the sea breeze.
Our top spots to see these gentle giants:
- Lamberts Beach Lookout - perched above the water with panoramic views as whales breach and spout offshore. You can bring binoculars, but you certainly don’t need them. Also, an amazing spot to catch sunrise.
- Blacks Beach & Slade Point Headlands - For a long, uninterrupted coastal horizon with space to roam, spots like Blacks Beach or headlands near Slade Point are solid bets when the migration peaks.
- Campwin Beach Lookout – A quieter alternative with a terrific line of sight over the water. Watch the whales pass by the local anglers. The scenic backdrop makes it a great spot for a picnic with your eyes on the horizon.
- Endless Days / Nautical By Nature – During the humpback whale migration season from June September, Nautical By Nature offers whale watching cruises aboard Endless Days. Operating along the Mackay coast, these cruises provide opportunities to observe humpback whales resting, nurturing calves, socialising and displaying surface behaviours such as breaching and tail slapping.
June to October: Love is in the water - platypus mating season
Some wildlife moments are quiet, patient and completely worth the wait. Platypus mating season is one of them. From June through to October, platypus activity increases as mating season gets underway, making this the best time of year to spot one of Australia’s most elusive locals.
Broken River in Eungella National Park is the standout place to try your luck. Purpose-built viewing decks sit right along the riverbank, offering a front-row seat to platypus territory. Dawn and dusk are traditionally the best times to visit, but platypus don’t always stick to the rulebook. During mating season, it’s not uncommon to see one paddling past at unexpected hours, just when you think you’ve missed your chance.
If you’d prefer a little guidance (and fewer crossed fingers), Mackay Adventure Tours & Transfers offers a hosted experience that takes the guesswork out of it. The full-day tour includes pickup from Mackay, a knowledgeable local guide, a visit to Finch Hatton Gorge, lunch, the Eungella Sky Window walk and time at Broken River for platypus spotting, all wrapped up with a relaxed transfer back to town.
No crowds. No schedule. Just being in the right place, at the right time, and letting nature do the rest.
All Year: Sunrise with the Wallabies
Some moments don’t belong to a season, they belong to the same time every day. At Cape Hillsborough National Park, eastern grey kangaroos and agile wallabies make their way onto the beach year-round, drawn by mangrove seed pods scattered along the shoreline at sunrise. It’s one of those quietly iconic Mackay Isaac experiences that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
The best place to watch it unfold is Casuarina Beach, where the first light of day meets the sand. Arriving around an hour before sunrise gives you time to settle in, watch the colours change, and let the wildlife appear.
This is a free experience, guided on the beach to help visitors understand the behaviour of the animals and ensure the moment stays safe and respectful for both people and wildlife.
If you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else, Mackay Adventure Tours & Transfers also offers a guided sunrise experience that includes CBD pickup, a knowledgeable guide, a short coastal walk, a continental breakfast and a relaxed transfer back to your accommodation.
From early-morning wildlife encounters to seasonal migrations and quiet river moments, the year unfolds in its own way here. Keep the dates in mind, stay curious, and leave plenty of space for the unexpected.
Match our nature calendar to our //www.mackayisaac.com/events calendar
