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 The North Queensland region is made up of three smaller regions.
They are ...
> Townsville Region
> The Whitsundays
> Mackay Region
Visit the Mackay Region Qld
Secluded islands and beaches, great fishing spots, spectacular rainforests and national parks, historical townships, real bush experiences , genuine country hospitality and scenic drives.
 Follow your heart to a perfect balance of inspiring natural beauty and man-made attractions. The Mackay Region offers a unique holiday experience that is an affordable and diverse escape from the crowds. Relatively undiscovered the Mackay Region offers a style of comfort and hospitality that will exceed your expectations.
Located midway between Brisbane and Cairns, the Mackay Region coastline stretches 200 km north from St Lawrence to Laguna Whitsundays, and inland to the town of Clermont. The region’s rich and colourful past is economically founded upon sugar cane, mining, beef and agriculture. Today, the community is proud of its Aboriginal, South Sea Islander and colonial heritage.
 The Mackay Region is increasingly popular as a holiday destination for travellers seeking an unspoiled, friendly contrast. Holiday-makers ‘must-sees’ include: Mackay – the river city and its impressive Marina, the Eungella National Park and Finch Hatton Gorge, Cape Hillsborough, historic seaside and outback townships, superb beaches, offshore islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
Clothing, Climate and Swimming Safety. The region has a delightful tropical climate that is similar to that found in the Hawaiian Islands. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual as are the dress standards. Summers consist of warm, tropical weather without extreme temperatures and warm sunny winters. The average water temperature is a heavenly 22 degrees. Safe swimming is available all year round, whether it is at a fresh water swimming hole or at one of over 30 beautiful beaches in the Mackay Region.
 Like all North Queensland beaches, those in the Mackay Region can attract marine stingers and box jellyfish from October to May. To avoid danger it is recommended that you swim at patrolled beaches and / or swimming enclosures.
Visit Cape Hillsborough
Cape Hillsborough with its 816 hectare coastal National Park about 20 kilometres north of Mackay is renowned for its rugged scenery, walking tracks and native wildlife. The closest thing to a crowd on a beachfront stroll in this neck of the woods is likely to be a friendly family of kangaroos.
 The park is scattered with walking trails, the most popular being the 1.6 kilometres Juipera Plants Trail. This trail illustrates the way the Juipera Aboriginals used the parks native plants for survival. Other walks include the Diversity Boardwalk, Beachcomber Cover Track and Andrew Points walking track which passes six lookouts offering spectacular views make the climb up numerous steps at the beginning of this track worthwhile.
At low tide a causeway links the end of the track to Wedge Island. Check tide times before embarking on this track and only attempt the crossing to Wedge Island on a falling tide. At low tide, walker may return to the picnic area along the beach; this route is inaccessible at high tide.
 Over 150 species of bird life and tropical butterflies live amongst the parks eucalypt forests, hoop pines, creeks, mangroves and headlands. The park includes a National Park information centre, picnic and barbeque area and public toilets. Nearby Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort offers a variety of accommodation options from caravan and camping, beachfront huts and motel units.
Visit Sarina
Discover the Serenity Coast and Sarina. Located at the foothills of the Connors Range, Sarina Shire is a relatively unspoiled area, which has retained much of its original historic charm, while having developed into a thriving business area. Enjoy the shires country hospitality, beautiful beaches, scenic mountain range national parks and its prime fishing areas. There's so much to see and do.
Sarina Beach has everything you could want in a peaceful escape - beachfront accommodation, restaurants, great fishing, and safe swimming.
 Salonika Beach is a popular destination for holidaymakers who enjoy the mix of its beautiful beaches and abundant animal life. Wildlife includes the rare loggerhead turtle, echidnas, bush turkeys, sea eagles and seasonal whales and dolphins.
Grendon Creek and Lake Barfield are a great place to stop for a picnic lunch, picnic tables and public toilets are available. Lake Barfiled is now a bird sanctuary and is home to black swans, white herons and egrets – a photographers and bird watchers paradise!
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal is one of the largest coal ports in Australia with a terminal capacity if 37.5 million tonnes of coal a year and is a major contributor to Australia’s export industry. Exporting to over 40 countries, the two conveyors travel 3.8 kilometres carry coal along the jetty to the ships. Hay Point Look Out is the biggest coal terminal in the Southern Hemisphere. Features a viewing platform and informational video from here you can see the entire terminal and get a better understanding of its operations. Painted silhouettes at the platform highlight the surrounding islands.
Visit Clermont
Be transported back to Australia’s early gold rush days to Clermont – one of the oldest inland settlements in tropical Queensland. First explored by Ludwig Leichardt in 1845, it wasn’t until the lure of gold attracted settlers in 1861 that the town flourished. However, in 1916 Clermont was devastated by flood and the town was relocated to a higher site nearby. To get to Clermont, follow the Peak Downs Highway west of Nebo and follow the signs.
Today, visitors can still see the remains of the original town site. The Piano in the Tree, in Capricorn Street, is a quirky reminder of the height of the floodwaters.
The Clermont Museum has historical artefacts and is home to many machinery displays. Located off the Peak Downs Highway just outside Clermont.
Clermont Cemetery contains headstones dating back to the 1860s as well as the graves of the 35 residents who lost their lives in the 1916 flood. Situated on the banks of the Sandy Creek in Clermont.
Clermont Gold Fossicking First explored by Ludwig Leichardt in 1845, it wasn’t until 1861 that the lure of gold attracted settlers to the region. Three large gold rushes followed and today fossickers can still be found in the area. The Clermont Caravan Park has gold fossicking kits available which include all you need to know about striking it rich. A fossicking license in required and can be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources.
Blair Athol Mine Experience a real working coal mine at Blair Athol. Free guided tours leaving from Clermont take you through the workings of the mine on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9.00 am. The tour also includes a visit to the Clermont Museum and Copperfield Store. Bookings can be made at the Clermont Caravan Park.
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