Car & Van Hire - Mackay

Mackay is Australia's sugar cane capital. The surrounding landscape is carpeted with emerald-green cane fields worth exploring. While you cannot tour the sugar mills, Sarina Sugar Shed is the perfect place to learn how the industry works. Sarina Sugar Shed is a 30-minute drive south of Mackay, perfect for adults and kids. The neighbouring Sarina Museum is also the ideal place to explore the art and gallery of the area. You will also discover sublime wildlife viewing experiences. As a southern gateway to Whitsunday Coast, you will have access to the beautiful tropical coastline.

Mackay has an impressive food scene with lots of cafes and eateries. Wood Street is the epicentre for the best dining experience with various cuisines. If you want to experience a Cuban-style cocktail bar, you have a few restaurants to choose from and graze your favourite tasty tapas. When you drive to the Mackay Marina precinct, you can taste the best steaks and seafood as you enjoy the picturesque view of the marina. If you want a taste of locally made liqueurs, ensure you join the sugar can tours. For instance, at the end of the Sarina Sugar Shed tour, you can taste house-made preserves, schnapps and liqueurs for adults while kids enjoy fairy floss.

If you are a history buff and art lover, Mackay is a rich trove of art and beautiful architecture. The city is dotted with beautiful Art Deco, with ancient buildings rebuilt in the 1920s. You can follow an Art Deco trail starting with the imposing geometric façade on River Street. The old Post Office, Pioneer Shire Office on Wood Street and CWA building have impressive architecture worth exploring. The Bluewater trail takes you through a series of commissioned artworks from indigenous artists like Brian Robinson and Craig Walsh. Discover the city's creative side in Artspace Mackay gallery, which stages a diverse annual programme of activities, exhibitions and special events.

Australia's sports capital boasts a diverse events calendar drawing local and international visitors. A remarkable event is the annual Mackay Festival of Arts, which takes place in July. The 10-day event transforms the city into a cultural showcase with cabaret, dance, music, comedy, local food and the annual Jazz Brunch. The annual Mackay Expo also attracts visitors from around the world with an extensive range of exhibitions of innovative products and services. You will be able to indulge in entertainment activities, from wildlife shows to open kitchens and comedy events.

Home to Australia's sub-tropical rainforest, a road trip through Mackay allows you to discover nature. With a car or van rental in Mackay, you can explore the region's secluded beaches, hinterland and national parks. Mackay is an accessible city easy to drive around and is served by two major highways. Alternatively, the new Mackay Ring Road allows travellers to bypass the city altogether.

The Bruce Highway (A1) connects Mackay to cities like Brisbane in the south and Townsville and Cairns in the north. You can bypass the city and visit the surrounding regions using the Bruce Highway. Since it passes through the south and north of the city, you can access surrounding regions if you take the road. The Peak Downs Highway (State Route 70) passes through the city centre, allowing travellers to access all the areas of the city. It also connects you to Moranbah, Emerald and Clermont.

The Mackay Ring Road connects the highways and allows you to bypass the city if you are heading to smaller towns nearby. The first phase of the ring road is an 11.34-kilometre stretch connecting Bruce Highway at Stockroute Road (south of Mackay) to the north of Mackay. The ring road includes a bridge over the Pioneer River and an interchange with State Route 70 to provide a bypass of Mackay for A1, which avoids traffic. Stage 2 of the Ring Road connects Bruce Highway at Glenella to Harbour Road in Mackay Harbour.

If you are using a car rental in Mackay, ensure you can drive on the left side of the road. Check the speed limits on highways and city roads since they are enforced within the city. While the city has numerous markets, they are not open daily. You can check when the Mackay Riverside Market, near Bluewater Quay, is open to avoid running into traffic. The Riverside Market is usually open on Thursdays at 15:00, while others, like Paxtons Markets, open at 17:00. You can plan your commutes or shopping expeditions around those times to avoid traffic. Rush hour traffic is also common early in the morning and evening.