Things to do with kids in Mackay

Wallabies and kangaroos search the morning tide line for mangrove seed pods while the sun comes up. The national park is about 45 minutes north of Mackay, with free electric barbecues, picnic tables and toilets on the foreshore. Please don't feed the animals, and watch for crocodiles; stingers are most common from October to May.

The Andrews Point track climbs to ocean and island views, 5.2km return and about two to two and a half hours. At low tide you can cut it to 2.8km by walking back along the beach, so check the Mackay tide times first. There are no toilets or picnic tables on the track; use the day-use area before you start.

The River walk at Broken River is an easy, level 520m track with platforms for spotting platypus, turtles and eels. It suits young families and wheelchairs, and the visitor area has flush toilets, gas barbecues and shady picnic tables. Broken River is about 80km west of Mackay, 5.5km south of Eungella township.

The 250m Bandala Yalga circuit at Sky Window takes about 10 minutes and looks out over the Pioneer Valley; it's wheelchair accessible with help. From the same day-use area, the Cedar Grove track runs 2.8km one way under tall red cedars to a strangler fig arch. Kids can stand inside the arch; allow an hour or more each way.

The Araluen Cascades track climbs 2.8km return from the picnic area to a lookout over the falls; allow up to 1.5 hours. The gorge is about 70km west of Mackay, and the last 2.5km of road is unsealed with two causeways. People have died here, so never jump or dive into the pools and take great care on wet rocks.

This shared path runs about 20km through Mackay, linking the Botanic Gardens, the Pioneer River and Town Beach. One stop is the free Bluewater Lagoon on River Street: three fenced, tiered lagoons with water play and lifesavers on patrol. The lagoon opens 9am to 6pm from late September to March, and its blue slide runs on weekends, school and public holidays.

This lookout above Lamberts Beach at Slade Point is a popular place to watch humpback whales migrating along the coast. It faces the Cumberland Islands and is one of the few spots in Mackay where you can see both the sunrise and the sunset. There's a picnic area with barbecues beside the car park.

Greenmount Homestead, five kilometres west of Walkerston, was built in 1915 and holds more than 20,000 artefacts, with a blacksmith's workshop in the grounds. Tours run at 9.30, 10.30 and 11.30am, Monday to Wednesday and on the last Sunday of the month. Entry was $7 for adults and $3 for children aged 5 to 18 in October 2026, and under-5s are free.