Mackay is a river city just 603 miles (970 km) north of Brisbane, located on the banks of the Pioneer River, boasting many exciting things to do. During the hot summer days, you might choose to spend your time splashing around at the Blue Lagoon waterpark, stroll through the Botanical Gardens or even visit one of the many sites to learn about cane sugar and its production. That’s right, due to this city producing more than a third of Australia’s cane sugar it is lovingly nicknamed the “sugar capital.” So what better way to learn about cane sugar and its many delicious uses than visiting this place and exploring its sugar industry. Of course, you could always just spend the day at the beach. Keep reading for the best Airbnb vacation rentals in Mackay, Australia.
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 March 19, 2024.
1. Detached unit with two spacious queen-size rooms (from USD 168)
Discover a tranquil escape in this detached unit with two spacious queen-size rooms. Nestled in a serene neighborhood, you’ll enjoy the convenience of secure parking and a fully fenced private back garden. Inside, the self-contained space offers a fully equipped kitchen, ideal for preparing meals during your stay.
Feel at ease with amenities such as air conditioning, a TV, and free access to a washing machine and dryer. Step out onto your private patio or balcony, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration. Plus, this pet-friendly retreat welcomes your furry companions, just remember to bring their own bedding.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the place is great with the most comfortable beds you will findCleanliness:
the house is clean and tidy and had everything we needed to feel at homeHost:
great place and awesome hostRead more reviewsLocation:
great quiet location and close to every like restaurants queens park city beach etc
2. Cozy abode with plush king-sized beds (from USD 254)
Immerse yourself in the welcoming ambiance of this abode, equipped with all the essentials for a comfortable stay. Rest easy on the plush king-sized beds dressed in top-notch linens. Stay seamlessly connected with complimentary Wi-Fi, and take full advantage of the resort-like amenities, including a barbeque area, gym, and a refreshing 20-meter (65.62 foot) pool. For local insights on dining, shopping, and culture, rely on the knowledgeable building reception staff.
Housekeeping is available for stays exceeding seven nights, maintaining a hotel-grade standard of cleanliness. Additional amenities can be obtained through reception, and complimentary on-site parking is provided. Cots are available upon request for a nominal fee of $20 per night, subject to availability.
Top guest reviews
Read more reviewsCleanliness:
clean and decent value for what we needed if forclean and modern with airconunit was lovely and spacious and had everything we required
3. Modern hotel apartment with on-site amenities (from USD 235)
Make your Mackay trip even more memorable by staying in this modern hotel apartment. Inside, there are two king-size beds, comfortably sleeping around four to five people. Additionally, you can find a television with standard cable for entertainment and a fully equipped kitchen for your dining needs. If you wish to dine al fresco or simply have a place to lounge to enjoy the view of the Pioneer River, there’s a private balcony that you can enjoy.
You’ll also have access to many on-site amenities, such as the swimming pool, gym, spa, and sundeck, so feel free to make use of them during your stay.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bed was very comfortable and it had a good viewgreat modern 2 bedroom apartment with full kitchenCleanliness:
it was a comfortable apartment and very cleanRead more reviewsLocation:
beautiful apartment in a perfect locationgreat location short walk to main street restaurants and pubs quick and easy drive to airport
4. The View @ Dolphin Heads (from USD 56)
Located right on the beachfront, this Airbnb accommodation in Mackay will give you the sunny, beach-filled vacation of your dreams. You can enjoy sunbathing on the shores or swimming in the refreshing waters. If you’re not in the mood to go to the beach, you can choose to swim in the pool instead. At the end of the day, feel free to soak in the shared hot tub to soothe your aching muscles.
Aside from its on-site amenities, your room here will be wonderfully furnished. There’s a queen-size bed that can sleep two, but if you have a third guest, they can crash on the sofa bed. For entertainment, there’s a 40-in television with Netflix, and for your dining needs, there’s a complete kitchen.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
stunning view from the room epic sunsetsbeautiful room with a beautiful viewgreat view tastefully decorated large tv netflix wifi nice pool and excellent hostsgreat little room as describedgreat views of the water fantastic pool and spa area and a comfy unitCleanliness:
very clean presentation with nice little touchesroom was clean and had everything you would needthe room was clean and had everything we neededvery nice spot clean and a very easy check ingood and clean lovely and with a beautiful morning viewHost:
service was great and host checked in to make sure all ok with ushighly recommended kim is a great hostcesar is an amazing host snd helped us and when we needed lovelygreat comms from the host and the spot is amazing really friendly area and swarve apartmentRead more reviewsLocation:
great location though 5/5cute room in a beautiful locationbeautiful apartment in a great locationwe were pleasantly surprised with the scenic location of cesar’s placethe unit was great (in the best location) in a nice resort
5. Spacious house near the city center (from USD 119)
With four beds, this spacious house can comfortably sleep up to eight people. A crib is also available if you’re traveling with a baby. Additionally, the kitchen is fully equipped, allowing you to prepare your favorite home-cooked meals, and the living room has a television for entertainment. If you’re coming to Mackay for business purposes, there’s a dedicated workspace that you can use.
Outside, you can find a private patio, where you can lounge after a long day, sipping your favorite drink while enjoying the view. If you’re driving to Mackay, there’s free parking on the premises. But if you don’t have a car, there’s no need to worry because you’re near the city center, which means everything is within walking distance.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
cold air con throughout comfy beds and nice balconyHost:
great host and great place will stay there again if i return to mackayRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing stay close to everything you would needthanks linda great place for our guys to stay whilst away for work
6. Large, central location (from USD 133)
This spacious holiday home in Mackay can sleep up to six guests, making it perfect for a family or friends on a holiday visit. In total, there are three bedrooms and plenty of common space where you can enjoy each others’ company. If you have kids joining you, or if you are in fact a big kid yourself, then you’ll love the fact that there is a Playstation with games in the living room. The house is just 100 meters to the waterpark Blue Lagoon, and as such, there is a multitude of eateries and bars to choose from. However, if you don’t feel like eating out then the kitchen is well stocked and comes with milk, coffee, and tea readily available. The decoration is minimalist but stylish, so you’ll soon feel like you’re at home.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the house is well equipped with great comfortable beds ac and super fast nbnrooms are very spacious with lovely poster beds in two of the roomsbeautiful big space with very comfortable king sized beds candice was very generous providing yummy breakfast toobeds were super comfortable alsothe beds are comfortable and it is in a great spot for restaurants and poolsCleanliness:
large comfortable clean king size beds were awesomeclean and friendly ownerssimple & clean great locationclean and comfortable furniturestayed here a few times and always comfortable and clean - great spaceHost:
nice history and nice little add ons that the host left for usrobert is a fantastic hostrobert is a fantastic hostrob was super helpful and replied to messages very quicklycandice and rob were very efficient and kind to let us in when we arrived earlyRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is great you are within walking distance to everythinggreat location close to the citylocation is very central with some fantastic restaurants in walking distancegreat location and rob is fantasticlocation was perfect with walking distance to shops restaurants cafes etc
7. Your home away from home and close to everything! (from USD 120)
This long-term rental in Mackay can be your home for your holiday break along with seven other people. Yes, there is space for eight people across three bedrooms, so there is plenty of room to spread out and make the place feel like home. The property itself is not far from the central zone of Mackay, but if you don’t want to travel, there are plenty of little cafes to explore in the vicinity of this quiet residential neighborhood. On hot summer days, you’ll be grateful not only for the space and air-conditioning but also of the fact that the property has a pool and shaded entertainment area that has a BBQ grill. The hosts lived in a detached accommodation away from the property, so you’ll have private access to the whole house.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
good furnishings great kitchenware tvs loungesthe air conditioner fans and pool are excellent for the tropical climateno air con but the pool was great to cool off in when neededthe house was clean spacious had internet pay tv ducted ac etcthe house is large and comfortable aircon fans and lots of windows to catch the breezeCleanliness:
huge modern and clean houseclean spacious stylish and well appointedit was clean and had everything we neededplenty of room very clean and comfortablethis place is clean tidy and largeHost:
the owners are wonderful peoplehosts were lovely and thoughtfulawesome place our hosts were lovelyour hosts were wonderfulfriendly hosts and great for familiesRead more reviewsLocation:
great house in an excellent locationbrilliant location - walked to the elton john concert venue & close to shopslocation was good close to the airport shopping centre and town centrevery central location and a quiet street highly recommendin a fantastic location close to everything yet quiet and relaxing
8. bed self-contained property (from USD 40)
This holiday rental in Mackay is close to the main public transport links and offers private access for up to four guests, sharing two bedrooms. Staying here means you’ll have access to free WiFi and onsite parking. The furnishings are fairly basic but include everything that you would need for a comfortable holiday. The property has no major design features or unique aspects. But if you are looking for a friendly host and a “basic” place to stay, then this might be the perfect spot for you.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the air conditioning was great in the mackay heat2 x air conditioners free wifi handy shops 5 minutes walk to the north-eastair conditioning is so good good base for a short staythe accommodation is clean with many blankets and good quality air conditioningdouble room twin room and futon means the small unit can easily accommodate a small familyCleanliness:
good spot clean and tidyeverything was clean and tidynice and clean - accurategreat value for accommodation clean neat and tidylittle bit rough round the edges but clean tidy and practicalHost:
host was friendly and welcomingsarah the host is very nice and kindhost was very helpful when neededsara is a great hostsara is a lovely hostRead more reviewsLocation:
easy access at a central location for mackaysara's airbnb is great value and is located both close to the airport and main shopping centres in mackaydecent location good price for decent accommodationgreat quiet location handy to east mackaygood value close to everything would recommend to everyone
9. Ground floor unit (from USD 89)
Moving across to East Mackay and we come to this fab little location for two guests. The main transport links to the city center are just across the road. There are also plenty of walking trails just 500 meters away, and the property feels very spacious. This location is actually a ground floor unit that has its own private access, free WiFi, and convenient kitchen space. This is a very cozy and homey rental, perfect for a few days’ break with a classic feel in terms of decoration and furnishings.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
apartment didn’t have a kettle but luckily we had our owneverything you need to feel comfortable including plenty of space and privacythe place was true to the outline and comfortableonly area for improvement would be to improve lighting in the kitchenCleanliness:
very clean and functionalthe place was clean and comfortablethe place was clean comfortable and well equippedlovely touches in the bathroom and linen was crisp and cleanthe area we had was neat clean and tidyHost:
friendly welcoming and helpful hostdee was a great host very welcoming approachable and easy to communicate withdee was a great host very friendlygood value for money friendly hostdee was an awesome host and could not fault the stayRead more reviewsLocation:
nice quiet central locationgreat location to basketball stadium and other sporting venuesa good quiet place near the cbd of mackaythe location is close to paget and also the city so was perfect for usdee’s apartment is in good location - close to the beach and cbd
10. A private room in a townhouse (from USD 36)
Set within close proximity to the CBD, this townhouse offers a private and cozy room to solo travelers or couples. There is one bed available here, along with access to a shared bathroom, household essentials, heating, and a dryer, among others. While staying here, you may want to make a stop at the Mackay Orchid House and the Mackay Community Garden, as they can both be reached within a quick stroll.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
simple clean functional and great value for moneyHost:
silvio is an amazing host and i really enjoyed staying at his placesilvio was one of the best hosts i've hadsilvio is a great host and is very easy to talk tosilvio is very friendly and great to have a chat witheasy going host enjoyable stay everything you need available and private even with another guest stayingRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is also great walking distance to everything you needa great value place to stay conveniently locatedreally close to downtown very clean and has everything you needwhen hes away it's like you have the place to yourself
11. Contemporary apartment with a pool (from USD 105)
This contemporary apartment comes with two king-size beds, so up to four people can be accommodated here. Additionally, you can find a kitchen with all the essential appliances and utensils and a living room with a television. WiFi is also available, so you can stream movies and shows on your devices if you prefer. For people on a work trip, feel free to use the dedicated workspace available.
As a guest, you’ll have access to the building’s amenities. In particular, you can take a dip in the pool to cool down when the weather is hot. You can also work out in the gym in your spare time. If you’re driving to Mackay, there’s free parking on the premises.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the aircon units in the living room and bedroms were greatRead more reviewsLocation:
great apartment close to everythinggreat property very clean quiet comfortable and well situated within walking distance to shops cafes and river walksneat contained apartment in a good locationall in all a pleasant place to stay
12. Motel-style room for 3 people
This motel-style room offers excellent value for money with all of the necessities needed to enjoy a holiday accommodation. The room features hot drink-making facilities. You’ll have access to the common-use pool on the property. The room is within walking distance to the Blue Lagoon water park and the cafes and restaurants surrounding the area. So after a long hot day exploring, you’ll be looking forward to using the pool and taking a nap in the comfortable queen-size bedroom.
West Mackay, Queensland, Australia
1.25 km (0.8 mi) from Bluewater LagoonTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
unlimited wifi and comfortable roomwas a really good stay for one night check- in was easy and the room/bathroom were cleanCleanliness:
was a very clean comfortableeverything was clean and easya clean room and comfortable bedclean and we'll equipped motel accommodationefficient and super cleanHost:
receptionist was very friendlydamian the host was an amazing hosthosts are lovely and easy to communicate withrealy nice friendly staffcool palms provided a clean room friendly host and good parking for 4wdRead more reviewsLocation:
good motel close to the highwaygood location easy check in and check outgreat location able to walk to lagoon main part of town and the large shopping centrecool palms's place is in a great locationgreat place and loved the convenience of the location
13. Cheap, cool, and convenient self-contained townhouse
The title of this property pretty much sums it up. It has gone through some modernization features and now offers space for up to six guests to enjoy the unique “eat-in” kitchen, which is well stocked, the outside balcony area, and the courtyard with a BBQ grill, perfect for those hot summer nights. The rental is in a central location where you have easy access to the main tourist spots while still enjoying the peace and quiet of the surrounding area. There is WiFi at the property, free parking at the premise, and pets are allowed at an additional cost, so be sure to contact the host directly if you want to bring along your favorite pooch for the trip.
Mackay, Queensland, Australia
1.32 km (0.9 mi) from Bluewater LagoonAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
could have been a bit cleaner very well equipped missed the wifi lovely and helpful hostsCleanliness:
place was clean and tidy with lots of extras availablevery clean and easy to organise with craig and fionaRead more reviewsLocation:
great location close to city centrethis is in a good location and is an extremely well equipped unitwe've had a great long-term stay in this well equiped unit close to everything we neededi could walk or ride my bike easily to the cbd and shopsthe neighbourhood did feel safe
14. The Platypus
Going a bit more “upmarket,” this entire house Airbnb rental has space for six guests sharing three bedrooms. This property has a spacious interior with large, open plan lounge and dining room, breakfast bar area, and kitchen with plenty of space for you and all your guests to sit around and have a chat in. The bedrooms are stylishly decorated with crisp white sheets contrasting against the deep mahogany color of the furniture. You can relax and unwind in the garden.
South Mackay, Queensland, Australia
1.76 km (1.1 mi) from Bluewater LagoonTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
each bedroom had a queen bed which was perfect as we had 3 couples travelingCleanliness:
clean and tidy and quite spaciousvery clean and cental to mackayvery clean and great value for moneyclean and comfortable house well kept and quiet streetgreat location and clean and comfortable spaceHost:
tamara was a great hosttamara was a great hostlovely house with a great hostthank you so much for hosting uscommunication with owner was greatRead more reviewsLocation:
the perfect location in mackay close to everythingcomfortable walking distance from the mackay centregreat central location for visiting family in mackaywas a great house very roomy and in a quite locationfantastic comfortable modern holiday house in central mackay
15. bedroom modern unit
This recently renovated property is in a fantastic location where you can explore both the central area of Mackay and the beach as well. As a guest, you’ll have private access to the whole property, which consists of two spacious bedrooms with wooden flooring, a well-equipped and fresh-looking kitchen area and stylish lounge with a large black leather L-shaped sofa – perfect for stretching out on after a long day of exploring. There is a nearby bus station where you can hop aboard one bus to go to the town center. There is also a small complex with eateries and a few other necessities within walking distance from the unit.
1.27 km (0.8 mi) from Bluewater Lagoon
16. Close to the city and the beach
If you’re looking for an Airbnb in Mackay that has a great location, then this spot that is within walking distance to pretty much of Mackay might just be the one for you. Just 10 minutes’ walking will see you strolling down the beach while watching the waves roll in. There are a number of restaurants and cafes within five minutes’ walking distance. The bus station is also a five-minute walk away. This location is also within walking distance from the Greyhound bus stop.
1.55 km (1.0 mi) from Bluewater Lagoon
17. Mackay Mystique
Nestled into one of the Whitsunday islands, this fully self-contained apartment offers space for up to two guests sharing a queen-size bedroom or utilizing the sleeping space in the living room. This apartment also offers a well-equipped kitchen, parking on-site and arranged activities, which are subject to an additional charge. The apartment is very clean and comfortably stylized. There is also a small back patio to enjoy.
3.49 km (2.2 mi) from Bluewater Lagoon
You're all set
With these properties you won’t be spending a fortune on taxis or petrol, so you’ll have plenty of change left over to spend on more holiday activities. Look at that, we just saved you time and money. That’s our good deed done for the day! Be sure to let us know where you’ll stay during your Mackay holiday.
Frequently asked questions about Airbnb vacation rentals in Mackay, Australia
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