{"id":5490,"date":"2025-02-04T05:46:03","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T05:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5490"},"modified":"2025-02-04T05:47:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T05:47:46","slug":"5-unexpected-experiences-in-mackay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/5-unexpected-experiences-in-mackay\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unexpected Experiences in Mackay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Considering a holiday in Mackay<\/a>? You won\u2019t be disappointed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of adventures you\u2019ve probably already heard about \u2013 like watching a beach sunrise with kangaroos, exploring local sugarcane history and strolling among the botanic gardens \u2013 there are many unexpected experiences on offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five to add to your itinerary, from swimming in a rockpool that looks just like a wishing well to sleeping in a luxury retreat surrounded by birds to catching a helicopter to remote mountaintop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WANDER THROUGH ONE OF AUSTRALIA\u2019S BIGGEST ORCHID HOUSES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orchids \u2013 the biggest flowering species in the world \u2013 thrive in Mackay\u2019s warm, subtropical climate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s an ideal location for one of Australia\u2019s biggest orchid collections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find it in the Ken Burgess Orchid House in Queen\u2019s Park Gardens. Built in 1988, it\u2019s home to hundreds of species of all kinds \u2013 small, large, conventional and highly unusual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could spend hours strolling along the winding pathways marvelling at the exotic shapes and colours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Orchids
Image credit: Visit Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SWIM IN A WISHING WELL <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mackay is filled with great swimming spots, including the human-made Bluewater Lagoon<\/a> in town, the many surrounding beaches you can have to yourself<\/a> (more or less), and Hinch Fatton Gorge where you can swim under a waterfall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, one less famous spot is the Wishing Well rockpool. This fascinating formation is a perfectly round swimming hole at Lambert\u2019s Beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get there, head to the lookout, then follow the trail on the left. This leads to a small beach, where the Wishing Well pool is tucked among the rocks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SLEEP AMONG BIRDS AND SEA LIFE IN A LUXURY RETREAT <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not everyday that you can look into an aviary from the comfort of your lounge room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that\u2019s exactly what\u2019s on the cards at The Feathered Nest, a luxury retreat 30 minutes\u2019 drive north of Mackay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This extraordinary accommodation provides apartments with direct access to its private aviary and aquarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While sipping on a coffee or chatting over a glass of wine, you\u2019ll be meeting gang-gang cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets and even a turtle or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Image credit: Visit Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CATCH A HELICOPTER TO A GOURMET PICNIC ON A MOUNTAIN TOP <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s one way to get where no one else can go, it\u2019s by helicopter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bush Heli-Services provide a variety of airborne experiences around Mackay, and one of the most incredible takes you to a mountaintop in Peak Range National Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spend an hour or two lingering over a gourmet picnic while gazing at views that seem to go on forever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other joy flights offered by Bush Heli-Services travel over Clermont town, Clermont open pit coal mine, Blair Athol coal mine and Theresa Creek Dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CATCH YOUR OWN BARRAMUNDI IN A PRIVATE DAM
<\/strong>
There\u2019s no substitute for freshly-caught fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Theresa Creek Dam, which is a three-and-a-half hour drive southwest of Mackay, you can catch your own barramundi (or golden perch or red claw). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay on shore and cast your line for as long as you like while picnicking, or hire a boat and head out onto the water for hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If one day isn\u2019t enough, then camp for a night or two (or three), so you can fully soak up the serenity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO MACKAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quickest trip, catch a plane to Mackay Airport<\/a>, and jump into a SIXT car rental. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option is to make Mackay part of a road trip<\/a> \u2013 perhaps from Cairns<\/a> or Brisbane<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, you\u2019ll find plenty to explore, from stunning day trips<\/a> to awesome adventures.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also lots to do with kids<\/a>, including platypus-spotting in the wild, catching a flying fox over ancient rainforest and visiting the southernmost island in the Whitsundays.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Considering a holiday in Mackay? You won\u2019t be disappointed.  On top of adventures you\u2019ve probably already heard about \u2013 like watching a beach sunrise with kangaroos, exploring local sugarcane history and strolling among the botanic gardens \u2013 there are many unexpected experiences on offer.  Here are five to add to your itinerary, from swimming in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[132,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-5490","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-mackay","8":"tag-queensland","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n5 Unexpected Experiences in Mackay - 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