Known as the sugar capital of Australia, Mackay is a city and suburb on the Coral Sea coast of Queensland. The city is named after explorer John Mackay and was originally inhabited by the Yuibera people. This is a bustling suburb, with close proximity to some of Australia’s most famous islands and beaches. Read our guide to find out if this is the sea change you could be looking for!
Image: Flickr
Location Demographics
The demographics of this suburb are varied and diverse. Whilst established families make up a large portion of the suburb, it also houses a sizeable population of retirees. The workforce is also varied, with similar proportions of people working as trade workers, professionals and sales workers. The population is growing at a slow but steady rate, as many people seeking work in the sugar and mining industries are moving to take advantage of job opportunities.
Travel & Infrastructure
The city itself is a fruitful employment hub, with residents being served by eleven local bus lines travelling through the city and neighbouring areas. Intercity rail travel is also available, with trains departing from Mackay Railway Station travelling across the state to cities like Townsville, Cairns and Brisbane.
Image: Queensland
Shopping
Residents are spoilt with an abundance of shopping facilities. Supermarket options range from the popular chains of Coles and Woolworths to small food marts selling ethnic goods. The biggest shopping centre is Caneland Central, which is home to over 200 stores – ranging from popular retail chain stores, boutiques, dining options and a variety of health and beauty services.
Schools & Recreation
The areas surrounding Mackay are home to some reputable schools, including the Whitsunday Anglican School, Mackay Christian College and Pioneer State High School. Other respectable public high schools include Mackay State High School, Mackay Northern Beaches State High School and Mackay North State High School. It is also home to 11 public primary schools and some of the top schools, including Eungella State School and Fitzgerald State School. In regards to tertiary education, both the Central Queensland University and James Cook University have campuses in Mackay.
Image: Barrier Reef Australia
Local Amenities
Two of the big annual events held here are the Mackay Festival is Arts and the River Sessions Festival. The Festival of Arts is held every July and is Queensland’s largest regional arts festival. The River Sessions Festival is a popular annual music festival featuring various Australian artists. The suburb is also situated near a number of splendid natural attractions which include the Pioneer Valley, Brampton Island and over 30 beaches within driving range.
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