Rent a coastal cabin with rainforest hikes, coral reefs, and kangaroos on your doorstep.
It might be best known as the home of one of Australia’s most famous sugar companies, but there’s more to this seafront town than sugar! A long day’s drive from both Brisbane and Cairns, Mackay is the ideal basecamp for exploring the coast of central Queensland, and outdoor adventures are right on the doorstep. Kangaroos hop along the beach at Cape Hillsborough National Park just to the north, spectacular snorkelling and scuba diving surrounds the southern Great Barrier Reef islands, and hiking in nearby Eungella National Park includes rainforests, waterfalls, and platypus-filled rivers. The dry season of April through September is the best time for hiking and outdoor activities, but air-conditioned cabin rentals mean you can comfortably camp through all four seasons. Opt for a breezy beach house, a fully furnished hut with an en-suite bathroom or kitchenette, or a tranquil cabin at a rural Hipcamp.