What to do and see in Mackay Region, Queensland: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

Sarina Sugar Shed celebrates the rich history of sugar cane farming in the Mackay region. Visitors can enjoy a one-hour guided tour and learn how sugar cane is grown, farmed and processed. The tour takes you through the early harvesters, shows you how sugar cane is crushed on our replica sugar mill (during crushing season approx. June - Dec), and demonstrates how sugar can juice is extracted. The tour includes tasting of sugar cane juice, plus tastings of our award-winning rums and liqueurs (produced in our onsite boutique distillery), chutneys and sauces made in our onsite kitchen, homemade non-alcoholic ginger beer, and freshly-spun fairy floss. We also have a retail store loaded with our products and other gift ideas, and a café for a relaxing drink and morning tea snack. Open Monday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, with scheduled tours at 9.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm. Note: we are closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) is the largest convention and banqueting facility between Cairns and Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. This state-of-the-art $29m facility includes multiple versatile spaces including a 1090 seat auditorium and two plenary halls which, when fully extended, seat over 1450 guests theatre style or 800 guests banquet style. There are four meeting rooms. a 100 seat experimental theatre, two foyers, a selection of break out rooms, a dedicated event planner office and a registration desk. The centre is also the region's premier entertainment venue,hosting the region's largest concerts, cabaret and theatre performances. There are more than six 4-star quality hotels located within easy walking distance of the MECC and is approximately 10 minutes via taxi from Mackay Airport.

World 1st dive in the Rainforest in crystal clear waters where PLATYPUS live and play. This is your chance to see and be in the water at the same time as a platypus, one could nibble your hand or you might just watch them feed in their natural habitat. Explore the underwater world with an amazing array of different aquatic life including turtles, nesting eel-tail catfish and many more interesting and beautiful creatures which you would normally never see. Learn about the platypus & aquatic animals living in the billabong This experience suitable for divers and non-divers age 8+ DON"T want to dive and STAYING DRY is your choice then this is the tour for you. An Australian experience ideal for everyone that will leave a lasting memory. Tour the Pioneer Valley with walks to waterfalls and stunning views, then learn about platypus knowing that you’ll have a 98% chance of seeing the platypus in the wild. If there is anything you wish to see or do just ask and we will add it in.

Big On Shoes is well worth the visit if you are town, stocking a large range of shoes, clothing, accessories, artwork and homewares. If you love the unique side of fashion, you will love Big On Shoes. Stocking brands such as Rare Rabbit, Betty Basics, Frankie 4, Bueno, Holiday Trading Co and Empire Of Bees. Stocking ladies shoes sizes 5-15. Be sure to go for a walk around the Mackay City Centre and pop into Big On Shoes for a little "you time".

Artspace Mackay is the regional art gallery owned and operated by Mackay Regional Council and aims to provide visitors to the region with a taste of our unique environment. The gallery includes three impressive exhibition spaces, Foodspace Cafe, and an artists book reading room which houses a collection of artists books and prints of national significance. This purpose-built gallery, designed by award-winning Queensland architects Cox Rayner, forms part of Mackay Regional Council's Cultural Precinct. It provides residents and visitors to Mackay with the opportunity to see art exhibitions by significant international, Australian and local artists and touring exhibitions presented by Australia's largest art galleries and museums. Exhibitions are complemented by innovative education and community activities for all ages. Programs include guided tours, artists' talks, practical art workshops for adults and children as well as professional development opportunities for local artists, teachers and students. Artspace Mackay is also very proud of its region's significant and ongoing investment in public art, including works which line the Pioneer River along the Bluewater Trail. Recent commissions have seen Mackay earn a place on the world map for contemporary public art, with six art installations by Indigenous Australian artist Fiona Foley, two installations by established Queensland artist, Donna Marcus and a recognised commitment to commission further works along the trail. Every two years, Artspace Mackay hosts The Libris Awards, an artists book competition open to all Australian artists, which has become nationally respected and develops awareness of the Mackay Regional Council's significant collection of artists books. The Libris Awards also assists with further development of the collection by facilitating the ongoing acquisition of new works. Today, the Mackay Regional Council Collection is the most focused collection throughout the regional galleries network in Queensland, and contains the third largest collection of artists books in Australia after the National Gallery of Australia and the State Library of Queensland.