The Mid Tropics & Whitsunday’s

Mackay is known as “sugar city’ as it produces about one third of Australia’s sugar crop.

The Great Barrier Reef is just off the coast (snorkeling, diving and fishing tours are available)  and the town is flanked by magnificent national parks like Eungella – home to many diverse and unusual animals and plants.  The Farleeigh Sugar Mill has tours during the sugar cane crushing season and there is also a self guided Heritage walk of 22 heritage buildings within the town. 

Located between Mackay and Airlie beach is Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort,  see kangaroos visit  the prisitine beaches, explore Cape Hillsborough National Park with its cascading waterfalls, native wildlife and uninhabited islands.

To the north,  Airlie Beach (gateway to the Whitsunday Islands) has white sandy beaches, a wide range of accommodation and activities for holiday makers.  Some 74 islands make up the “Whitsunday’s”, most are uninhabited, but the clear turquoise waters make is an irresistible destination.  Popular island resorts offer budget or luxury accommodation , most offer a full range of water sports as well as bush walking, tennis, golf, sailing and fish feeding. 

Hamilton, Hayman, and s DaydreamIslands are a few of the well known islands that make up the Whitsunday’s.  This region has a great year round climate so anytime is a good time to have that Island holiday.

The reef is probably Australia’s most prized and visited natural destination. It extends more than 2000 km along Queensland’s coast and is one of the wonders of the natural wonders of the world. Coral reefs are built up by coral polyps – tiny, primitive marine animals that are related to sea anemones. The reefs coral passageways and caves are home to thousands of species of marine life. The surrounding breathtakingly blue aquamarine waters abound with tropical islands, rare brilliantly coloured corals, fish, sea-going mammals and birds. It is the number one world’s destinations for diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing and other water sports. Out of the reef’s 900 or so islands only 22 of them cater for tourists. Some support large resorts while others are protected by national park and only allow daytrips from the mainland. The islands are divided up into those of The Southern Reef, the Whitsunday’s and the Tropical NorthIslands. The entire reef is World Heritage-listed and protected by the Great Barrier Reef marine Park. If you want to see the reef but stay dry you can always go on a glass-bottomed boat or visit an underwater observatory – Green Island, HookIsland or Townsville has the reef HQ aquarium.

Queensland's 'top' - things to do - places to stay - attractions to visit

Tondoon Botanic Gardens

Gladstone
(07) 4971 4444
tondoon@gcc.qld.gov.au
Click here to visit website

104 HECTARES - CAFE OPEN 7 DAYS

Sarina Sugar Shed

Sarina
(07) 4943 2801
info@sarinasugarshed.com.au
Click here to visit website

MINIATURE MILL - MASSIVE EXPERIENCE!

Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort

Cape Hillsborough
(07) 4959 0152
enquiries@capehillsboroughresort.com.au
Click here to visit website

PRISTINE BEACHFRONT LOCATION.