Water play and swimming for kids in Mackay

Things to doRainy dayPlaygroundsToiletsEat with kids
16 places to cool off across the region: water parks, pools, beaches, lakes and swimming spots, nearest first from Mackay. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.

Everything on the map

Over the border

Rockhampton, Yeppoon & Capricorn →Outback Queensland →Townsville →Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays →
Nearest first, from Mackay

Beaches and islands

Beach illustration
Beach
Town Beach
Iluka Park beside the beach has an all-abilities playground, barbecues and toilets; big tides go out a long way.
under 5 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Mackay Harbour Beach
Seasonally patrolled by Mackay Surf Life Saving Club; two parks with playgrounds, barbecues and toilets nearby.
about 5 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Eimeo Beach
Sheltered bay with summer volunteer lifeguard patrols; shaded softfall playground for ages 2-9 on the Esplanade.
about 20 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Bucasia Beach
4 km walk
About 4 km of sand facing Dolphin Heads; Seaview Park on the Esplanade has barbecues, shade and toilets.
about 20 min
Over 30 minutes
from Mackay
Beach illustration
Beach
Sarina Beach
Patrolled by the local surf club in season; shady esplanade park with picnic tables and barbecues.
about 35 min

Waterfalls, lakes and swimming

Pool illustration
Pool
Bluewater Lagoon
Mackay
under 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Memorial Swim Centre
Mackay
under 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Pioneer Swim Centre
North Mackay
under 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex
Ooralea
about 10 min
Over 30 minutes
from Mackay
Pool illustration
Pool
Sarina Swim Centre
Sarina
about 40 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Kinchant Dam
Swimming, kayaking and sailing allowed outside the signed exclusion zones; picnic areas, barbecues and toilets.
about 40 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Mirani Swim Centre
Mirani
about 40 min
Eungella Dam
Lake
Eungella Dam
Swimming, kayaking and boating allowed outside signed zones; picnic areas, barbecues and camping. Last part of the road is unsealed.
about 1 hr 30
Photo: Steven Penton from Bakers Beach, Tasmania Australia, CC BY 2.0
Over 1½ hours
from Mackay
Pool illustration
Pool
Glenden Swim Centre
Glenden
about 2 hr
Pool illustration
Pool
Greg Cruickshank Aquatic Centre
Moranbah
about 2 hr 45

Big playgrounds

Over 30 minutes
from Mackay
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Seaforth Esplanade Reserve splash pad and playground
Seaforth
Beachside park with separate play zones for younger and older kids, a flying fox and an all-abilities water play area with jets, sprays and a splash pad, next to the swimming enclosure.
about 45 min

Also in this region, more than 4 hours from Mackay

Clermont (about 4 hr 15): The Clermont Historical Centre, Clermont Squash Club, Jacki Finger Library
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.