I’m turning 27 in mid-September (YEESH!) and will be celebrating solo as I am not from the area and really don’t have friends. I digress.

I was thinking about going up to the Whitsundays or something like that, because I haven’t actually seen the GBR yet. I work with kids and am looking for a peaceful break for 3-4 days, but don’t have a ton of disposable income.

Can anyone recommend budget friendly places to stay in the Whitsundays area, or even if there’s other places that you’ve been in this general area that you have been able to relax, without dishing out an entire paycheck?

Hey all, im a 19 yearold guy with no friends, I've lived here for 7 years and im yet to find something aside from going out and drinking to meet new people, any recommendations for something to do would be awesome, thanks legends.

Edit: I've decided the Mackay region isn't the best place for me and im moving down south to Sydney. Thanks for the suggestions and ill probably move back at some point in the future, hopefully by then I have a better idea of who I am as a person, I mean im only 19, I got plenty to figure out

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

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Hi everyone! My husband, our 8-month-old son and I are thinking about relocating from the Gold Coast to Mackay. We’re looking for a quieter, family-friendly lifestyle and my husband works in the trades, so employment is an important factor too.
We’ll be renting initially, but if we love it we’d like to buy a home in the next year or so.
Which suburbs would you recommend for a young family? We’d love somewhere safe, with parks, good schools/daycares nearby, and a nice community feel. We’d also appreciate knowing if there are any areas you’d avoid and why.
Thanks so much!

I’ve recently moved here 24F and i’m wondering what the best places will be to look for work. I’m studying a certificate 3 at TAFE, and I have heaps of experience in hospitality, customer service, cleaning etc. If anyone has any advice or recs pls let me know
Thanks !!

edit: Really looking to step away from the food / hospitality industry

Need recommendations for good coffee spots around town.

Not Jamaica Blue please, the coffee is good there but I hate waiting for 30 mins just for a cup of coffee.

Hi! I recently moved to Mackay and am not Australian, but was told I should try a few different things and go a few different places for good views, etc. I was hoping some of you all could recommend some places to go, where to find certain things/who does it best in town, etc.

Here’s what I’m looking for!

1. I was told I should try a vanilla slice, which is apparently not a slice of vanilla cake lol. Where can I find a good vanilla slice in Mackay?

2. Are the weekend markets good? Would love more info on these, if possible!

3. Why are there so many roundabouts here oh my god. This one isn’t a question, just an observation.

4. Good cafes? I like matcha more than coffee. If coffee, ideally somewhere with dairy alternatives (lack toast and intolerant 😔)

5. I was told I could see whales migrating in some places! Any places that I should check out that you’ve had luck before? What is a good time of day for this?

6. Where can I find a Dr. Pepper around here 🫩 this is probably a dead giveaway on where I’m from but, I’m down bad for a visit to the doctor.

7. Any good places to go to make friends? What do people do around here for fun? I’m mid-twenties and have genuinely no friends here at all.

8. Best beach? Not necessarily for getting in the water. I went to Blacks Beach two days ago and it was, and I cannot stress this enough, quite underwhelming. Certainly there’s better ones?!

9. Any general recs on places to check out in Mackay is very much welcomed! Or, if there’s any classic Australian things I need to do or try that I can do in Mackay, I’d love to hear those too!

just wanted to drop a quick post to appreciate some good old-fashioned local service.

had a massive pipe burst in the garage around midnight, water spraying absolutely everywhere and i couldn't get the main valve to budge. total panic mode. ended up calling a few places expecting to get ghosted or charged an absolute fortune just for a midnight callout.

finally got onto a bloke who was a total lifesaver. came out within like half an hour, sorted the pipe, and was actually a really decent, honest guy about the whole thing. didn't try to rip me off just because it was after hours.

honestly, finding a reliable emergency plumber around mackay who doesn't charge like a wounded bull the second it's dark is pretty rare these days. keeping that number on the fridge for sure.

hope everyone else managed to stay dry last night with that weird weather!

ABC Tropical North 

Can you afford an extra $5.26 a week in council rates?

Mackay residential rates will increase by 7.16% - one of the steepest rises announced by a Queensland council for 2026-27.

Council’s $514 million budget was passed, with councillors Ash-Lee Johnson, Peter Sheedy and Nathanea MacRae opposing.

The budget has a forecast surplus of $1.67 million and allocates $127 million for capital projects.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the budget was “no frills” and described the rate rise as responsible, with no reduction in services despite rapidly escalating costs.

Concessions for pensioners and eligible groups are unchanged.

Cr Williamson said the budget reflected the same cost-of-living pressures being felt by households across the region.

“We know families are tightening their belts right now and council is doing the same,” Cr Williamson said

We’re moving to Mackay in October and ideally looking to enrol our kids in a P-12 school. MCC looks alright but the more we read about it, the more highly religious it seems. My wife was raised Christian and I’m non-practicing Jewish. I’m not against the kids learning Christian values but it sounds like MCC are pretty hardcore. ‘The bible is the infallible word of God’ etc. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Comments about applying to Christian schools whilst not being religious really aren’t helpful - we’re just trying to find the best fit for our kids without having religion take the place of a proper education, nor impeding them from learning a holistic view of the world

Yes I know a broad questions as I’m looking at changing from Telstra but my concerns are coverage around the Mackay Region. Has anyone changed from Telstra to a wholesale network providers(aldi etc)?
What was your experience like?

I’m moving to Mackay late next week and curious what the job market looks like for hospitality jobs (restaurants/cafes/etc) - does it feel like fighting a losing battle when looking for jobs?

Also, how do people make friends in Mackay? Asking as a mid-20s girl who has 0 connections in Mackay.

Really anything I should know about the area, places to go, restaurants to try (although based off other posts, apparently there aren’t many good ones), etc. would all be welcomed!

Is there any place, pubs or public where Australia vs USA is screening this Saturday?

Mackay sugar harvest halted after major cyberattack on two mills

Two of Mackay’s sugar mills have shut down and harvesters have been requested to stop cutting after an overnight cyberattack.
Canegrowers have confirmed the Farleigh and Racecourse sugar mills were shut down and their control systems isolated as a “safety precaution”.
A grower notice was sent out from Mackay Sugar this morning alerting growers to the issue.

Mackay Canegrowers chairman Joseph Borg said the organisation was not aware of the precise nature of the cyberattack, but were in communication with Mackay Sugar.
“They are working hard to remedy the situation as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Borg said he was aware of growers with harvested cane in bins at sidings, but said the cane supply agreement would offer growers protection.
“Mackay Canegrowers robustly ensures that the cane supply agreement is upheld for members, although we certainly have faith that the miller will uphold their responsibilities,” he said.
He said because the incident has occurred so early during the harvest there was plenty of time for the industry to recover.

“While the time frame isn’t clear to have the situation rectified, we envisage that it may only be a matter of days lost, rather than weeks,” he said.
“That is recoverable.”
Mr Borg reminded growers to stop all harvesting immediately and not resume until communication from Mackay Sugar.
Marian Mill is not due to start crushing until Monday.

Years ago I helped reshape the toad. The two of us who re fibreglass holes and the new shape we left a signature, every time I go past it I take a photo and send it to the other person who knows it

Mackay police, who have arrested 61 people on public nuisance and drug charges since December, are conducting high-visibility patrols throughout the CBD this week in an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Operation Pioneer started late last year.

Police conducted 506 street checks, 29 move-on directions, and 61 arrests for multiple offences.

This week, officers are patrolling Mackay CBD, shopping centres, parks, and community events and engaging with business owners along with the CBD patrols.

Mackay Whitsunday District Officer Superintendent Dean Cavanagh said patrolling officers were working closely with community.

“Our local police and Mounted Police Unit have looked to proactively maintain public spaces that can be enjoyed by everyone through engaging with local business and owners as well as residents to make the community be safe and feel safe,” he said.

“Ongoing operations and high-visibility patrols such as this week’s Mackay CBD operation is one example of our commitment to proactive and targeting action to enforce and engage.

“We will continue to work closely with our community to ensure support is given to those need it.”

June 3

John Victor Morrison

Thomas Anthony Jones

Samuel John Baretta

Travis Michael Roy Chamberlain

Leigh Wayne Proud

Warren Allan Lange

June 4

Samuel John Baretta

Lincoln Thomas Tibballs

Chloe Anne Ellis

Stacy Collins

Luke Richard Moy

Probably best to use bridge road instead.

A man has been rushed to hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition after suffering a medical episode while behind the wheel in South Mackay.

Paramedics were called to a single-car crash on Milton St just after 3.30am on Sunday, where it is understood the male driver, aged in his 60s, had suffered a medical episode.

He was taken to Mackay Hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition.

A Queensland ambulance spokeswoman said the man was being treated for the medical episode.

No one else was injured in the incident.

how do you think that would go down

The Central Queensland mayor of a mining town that has just been sold in a $5.43 billion acquisition says there will be a “huge change” in the “social fabric” of the region.

Anglo American walked away from its Queensland coal empire, selling five mines across Queensland and the Isaac region town of Middlemount for $5.43 billion to UK-based mining firm Dhilmar Limited.

The Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said the council did not know what the sale meant for Middlemount.

Hey guys, bit of a niche question but I was wondering if anyone might have knowledge on who might pay the best for your old dead car batteries? I’ve googled it but the search results are spotty at best and downright useless at worst.

Thanks in advance for any help you can swing my way 🤙🏼

EDIT - I sold them to CMR in paget
The price of a battery goes for 50c a kilo for anyone wondering! No lithium batteries though.
Thanks for your input guys I really appreciate you taking the time ♥️