Mackay is a coastal city in Queensland, Australia, it lies just south of the Northern Queensland region. Mackay and its surroundings is a bundle of natural attraction, including beaches, islands, natural parks, and gorges. The region, however, gets most tourism due to the following three natural wonders. First and foremost is the Eungella National Park, located on the top of the Pioneer River Valley. It is the longest stretch of subtropical rainforest in Australia with 225+ species of birds, 800+ plant species, and Platypus. Another wonder is the Cape Hillsborough National Park, known for spotting kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles and marine life. Finally the Finch Hatton Gorge, freshwater fed waterfalls. Apart from that, the main city has the Bluewater Trail, a 20 km (12.4 miles) pedestrian stretch that runs through all the attractions and points of interest. Mackay Marina Village is at the harbor, attractions are a 130-year-old kerosene powered lighthouse that is still functional in its original style and waterfront properties, about 300 berths are inside yachts and boats, 200 are with apartments. Mackay’s surrounding will give you 31 Beaches and 6 Islands, with Carlisle, Scawfell and Keswick Islands known for its whale spotting and coral reef. Read along because we will give you a list of handpicked Stayz accommodations available in Mackay.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 31, 2024.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Rental in South Mackay (from USD 167)
This compact family home is located in the city and it can accommodate six guests, bedrooms are three and bathroom is one. There is a swimming pool in the backyard, which is fairly visible from the inside. Not something that is a utility, but helpful when you’re worried about children staying with you. Restaurants, cinema and shopping areas are less than 3 km (1.8 miles) away. The minimum rental duration for this property is three nights.
South Mackay, Queensland, Australia
2.94 km (1.9 mi) from Bluewater Lagoon
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owner loren was extremely helpfulloren was an excellent host and i could not recommend this property moreLocation:
house is in perfect location for the purpose of our trip close to footy fields and shopslovely quiet area yet close to all shopping and amenitiesCleanliness:
clean well thought out housethe house was clean and nicely renovatedclean neat tidy quiet area close to city and beaches plenty of room and pool was a bonusRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
only improvement needed would be a more comfortable couchthe beds were comfortable and air conditioned which was greatit was nice to have foxtel and wifiour family of five was quite comfortable for our four nightsthe beds were very comfortable and the backyard and pool was great
2. Rental for event hosting (from USD 163)
This is a large size fully-furnished and sophisticated modern home that can accommodate eight guests. There are four bedrooms while the bathrooms are two and there is even a half bath. Televisions are plenty and board games are also available in-house. Walking just 100 meters (328 feet) will take you to the beach, whereas a short drive takes you to the Mackay shopping area. Parties are allowed here which makes it a great rental for hosting small events and family gathering, but be aware that the bond fee on this property is $500. Pets are allowed.
3.57 km (2.3 mi) from Bluewater LagoonAccommodates: 8
Minimum Nights: 4
Refund Policy :
Top guest reviews
Host:
beautiful homecommunication was easy and the house was absolutely perfect for uswe even left some items at the house so had to arrange to pick them up several weeks afterward and it was not a hassle at allit suits our family perfectly, is well situated and the managemt team have always been incredibly helpful in making our stay comfortable and done with easea beautiful home with everything you need for an enjoyable holiday in mackayLocation:
5 minute walk to beachlocation location location, a stones throw from the beach and a short drive to the centre of townall needs were coveredthe process of booking and the coordination of the transaction was very smooth and the staff were very helpfulit was perfect for my son and his grandparents to walk to the beach just a few minutes away (on a foot path)Cleanliness:
the house is very spacious and cleanthe street was quiet and lovely, the house was clean and modern, and the host was very easy to communicate with and very accommodating as wellRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
extra televisions in 3 of the bedroomswell equipped kitchen and laundrythe kitchen was very nicely equipped with appliances, dishes, and cutlery so cooking there was a breezeplenty of room for 7 people to spread outthe only drawback i could mention would be the blinds as they still let a tremendous amount of light in around the edges, even when fully closed as the blind comes off the roll away from the window...
3. Beach property in East Mackay
This property is situated in the East Mackay area, where the shopping centers are a few minutes’ away and health facilities are less than 10 minutes’. The rental has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, five guests can sleep here. The backyard of the property is secured by the wall, so kids cannot leave the safe zone. The beach is at a walking distance and the sea here is quite calm. Guests can even catch crabs when the tide is low. The property is pet-friendly.
East Mackay, QLD, AU
2.43 km (1.6 mi) from Bluewater LagoonTop guest reviews
Host:
owner is very helpfulthe owner was extremely helpful and accommodating allowing us to check in 2 hours earlier than normalamy was wonderful to deal with, we appreciated staying in her lovely houseshe has it so well set up for familieswe felt the house was well thought out and beautifully prepared for guestsLocation:
nice quiet areanot a beach house at all but a neighborhood spotvery convenient located to beaches, shopping, fishingwalk to the beach and a short drive to the cbdbeautiful place, great location, felt like a home away from home :)Cleanliness:
the house was clean and well presentedvery happy with the property having two bathrooms and proximity to the townRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
beds comfyvery comfortable and relaxingit is so quiet and nice awesome!!!it has everything we need and a beautiful yard for our dogsvery homely and like a little paradise
4. Lakeside rental in North Mackay
This double deck property is not close to any beach, it is actually situated near the Andergrove area in North Mackay. But that doesn’t mean that the guests can’t have fun. The verandah view from the Lakeside deck holiday house gives you the GoWake Water Park, an aqua park prominent for cable skiing. Mackay city center is just across Pioneer River bridge, beaches are about 2 km (1 mile) away, and every other amenity is within walking limits. The house can accommodate up to eight guests in four bedrooms, baths are two. Pets and smoking are allowed, but the pets must not mess with anything in-house as the security deposit is $500.
3.56 km (2.3 mi) from Bluewater LagoonAccommodates: 8
Minimum Nights: 3
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 60 days before check-in.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the outdoor areas both upstairs and down and brilliant and all appliances where first classLocation:
close to the city whilst far enough away not to be to busyawesome place to stay in mackay, close to cbdCleanliness:
it was very clean, comfortable and excellently locatedthe apartment itself was really clean, great layout, and a good locationRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the view is great and the wake board park is very coolthe apartment itself is very roomy, we had 4 adults and kids staying and had no issuesg table tennis, foxtel & wakeboarding at the cable parkmassive benefit that it was pet friendlygreat things to do - table tennis, foxtel & wakeboarding at the cable park
5. Lovely beach house near a national park
This beachfront property lies in the Mackay surroundings, between Ball Bay and Cape Hillsborough National Park. Because the area is not very crowded, beaches and the greenery around the property is still very pristine. This rental is an ideal lodging for naturalists. Cape Hillsborough has so many wallabies, and spotting large monitors is always a fun activity. Furthermore, Ball bay beaches witness Turtle hatching during summer dawns. Maximum occupancy is five here but the tariff for five is slightly more than a couple lodging. There are three bedrooms and one bath, and pets are allowed.
32.16 km (20.0 mi) from Bluewater LagoonAccommodates: 6
Minimum Nights: 3
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.
Top guest reviews
Host:
sue was a good hostwell served by ample air conditioning, fans and lightingthe house and beach is dog friendly, the dogs did not want to go homethe home would also benefit to have a dishwasher and dryerit has polished wooden floors which are overdue for attention, however the property owners cleaner advised the owner to with-hold our security deposit ($150)Location:
beautiful house in a beautiful location right on the beachgreat location right across from the beachthe property is located in a beautiful peaceful area and it was a very relaxing staysuch an amazing location with just a few steps to the beach and a fabulous viewthis is such a charming location and charming house with all the comforts we neededCleanliness:
house had everything we neededbeautiful wildlife, beach views, and so quietunfortunately the property was not at its best and the gardens were overgrown and require quite a bit of maintenancethe house was great and our baby enjoyed the beachRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the beds were so comfortable and the kitchen facilities were greatwe wound down the second we arrivedthe windows and screen doors in particular and air vent in the bathroom was very dirty as were the ceiling fansloved the big fridge / freezer !loved the sprawling verandah with a fantastic viewand the friendly wildlife
6. Countryside stay
Hay Point is located in the South Mackay region. It is a one bedroom and one bathroom cottage that can accommodate up to four guests. This cottage is located in the countryside, hence it is some distance away from the Mackay city limits but the experience is quiet and relaxing here, ideal for tourists seeking a getaway from the city life. Mount Hector Park, Hay Reef, and Highwater Reef are near to this location, so one gets to enjoy every bit of pristine nature. And when you get back after touring, you could relax your body in your private pool or you may want to feed the farm animals with the owners. Pets are welcome and smoking inside is also allowed, you just have to keep the ash and butts into the ashtray.
Hay Point, Queensland, Australia
19.25 km (12.0 mi) from Bluewater Lagoon
Top guest reviews
Host:
made very welcomethe hosts were very friendly and accommodating, without being intrusivethe hosts were very helpful and made us feel very welcomethe setting was very peaceful with delightful farm animalsyou can only imagine how long that drive would have been but what made all the difference was being able to rest and recouperate at this wonderful haven along the wayLocation:
located in a nice and quiet area just out of sarinadogs loved itso quiet and peacefula beautiful place to stay with charming hostsloved walking the grounds and watching the visiting wildlifeCleanliness:
very clean and easy staythe unit was clean, presentable and had everything we needed (and more!)highly recommend hay point country b and bRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the space was private and comfortable, enjoyed by all, including our petsvery comfortable and roomy accommodationstopped the night hereroom is clean and has everything you could needthe place was beautiful and everything we needed, even catering for our large 1 year old german shepherd! with the beach only a 5 minute drive away it was perfect
7. Glasstree Beach property (from USD 149)
This apartment is an ideal rental for anglers. Vacationers can rent a boat from the ramp and fish by the reef/creek or even better simply head to the beach. The beachfront property has two bedrooms and a bathroom, a family of six can stay here. This property is dog-friendly, but a note here, that only dogs are allowed and that too outside the house.
28.29 km (17.6 mi) from Bluewater LagoonAccommodates: 5
Minimum Nights: 1
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.
Top guest reviews
Location:
what a wonderful location?we booked both units and found the location idealeverything we needed for a great time away excellent host and locationcompact tidy unit in a great location straight across the road from the beachnice quiet neighborhood great having a barbequeCleanliness:
the unit is clean modern well equipped and the bedding extremely comfortablehighly recommended for families boaties and those looking for clean well appointed accommodationRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
wifi for the teenage boys and working remotely for me was ideal
8. Holiday home for fun-loving lodgers (from USD 266)
Very near to the Pioneer River, this holiday home is suitable for fun loving teenagers or college friends. There are three bedrooms and three televisions and even a PlayStation-3 with eight popular titles. Bluewater lagoon water park is also only 100 meters (328 Feet) away. This rental can accommodate six guests but they must share one bathroom.
Mackay Caneland, Queensland, Australia
191 meters (0.2 ft) from Bluewater Lagoon
Top guest reviews
Host:
great host, nice touch with the included breakfast after a long drive from brisbanerob was great, taking the time to greet us and show us around his house, even though our arrival was late in the eveninggreat house for a good game of hide and seek tooowners communication was wonderfulthe whole family felt happy and relaxed hereLocation:
great house in a great locationlocation is amazingthis cottage is very well located in the city of mackay, with walking distance to restaurantswell supplied for travellers and close to everythingso close to everything and really feels like a home away from homeCleanliness:
very clean and tidyit was also really clean and the owners are so friendly and helpfulusually we have 2-3 people on the trip and having a house with 3 rooms, kitchen and lounge was awesomeRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
beautiful layout, aircon in all living / bedrooms, and great bed 4 poster bedsthe owners have worked hard to provide everything you could possibly need and moreon top of that, the fridge was stocked with food and drinks which was a great bonus!definetly better then staying tiny motel room with 3 active little boysyes it is not modern but it is very clean and comfortable and we all would stay again
9. Family beach house
Not only is the beach fairly visible from the lookout but it is just a 15-second stroll from the property. Truly, it is that close! Every age group can enjoy their vacation in this beach house, while the elders can go fishing and the children can make sand castles. Pets are allowed in the yard, but only after informing with the owner of the property. There are six bedrooms and a single bath. In total, six guests can stay here, and the minimum rental duration is three nights.
34.76 km (21.6 mi) from Bluewater LagoonTop guest reviews
Host:
tanya is a caring and wonderful hostwe appreciated tanya and mick's efforts to provide a welcoming experience to this region, they totally succeededwe had a wonderful, relaxing weekend at seaforth beach havenwe were all pleasantly surprised by the well-equipped home and the thought put into the comforts and additional extras to make our stay so enjoyabletanya & michael were only a phone call away if you needed anything and very good hostLocation:
the location is to die forseaforth beach is great for a stroll and the shop is a short walk awaywell located with the beach out the front, and shop just 2 min walkif you are keen for some beachcombing and rock scrambling a visit to the red cliff islands just off finlayson's point is a great adventureloved the house everything was perfectCleanliness:
the quality of everything was very very highkitchen appliances and crockery for every occasionRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the owners have thought of everythingthe view was amazingthe downstairs shower was great for the children after the endless hours spent on the beach building sandcastles and exploringthe children (and adults) thoroughly enjoyed the large array of cards and board games availablethe house has everything you need and the view from the verandah is lovely
10. In the heart of Mackay
The Platypus is a modern amenity rental located in the heart of Mackay. Beaches, shopping areas, pubs and everything in Mackay is within proximity. The 20 km (12.4 miles) long iconic Bluewater Trail Route is a two-minute stroll away. The rental is suitable for tourists who seek to enjoy both Mackay and its surroundings and not just the beach view. The Platypus has three bedrooms and two baths and can accommodate six guests. Pets are welcome here.
South Mackay, QLD, AU
1.64 km (1.1 mi) from Bluewater LagoonTop guest reviews
Host:
we had such an amazing stay rob and leah were very easy to deal with and helpfulLocation:
close to mackay city and also easy drive to get onto main roadswas the perfect place to stay for our trip to mackayvery handy location well equipped and spotlessly cleanvery tidy nice and new comfy beds 3 x queen close to everything perfect for our stayCleanliness:
our stay at this property was very comfortable and very cleanvery clean and comfortable - it has all the basic necessities for a great stayRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
very comfortable 3 bedroom house with ensuite in the main bedroom
Something for everyone
Mackay is not just beaches and jungle fun, the city also holds cultural festivals all year round. The River Session Festival and Festival of Arts are some of them. The city has an art-deco style architecture, the town-hall itself is an example, and you get to see lots of attractions when you follow the trail. If you are into bushwalking, the Pioneer River Valley could give you days of trekking experience. Mackay has something for everyone, hope our holiday home listings help you with your vacation planning.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data