Things to do in Mackay
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Bridge's Restaurant
This super-slick restaurant-bar inside the Ambassador Hotel has got soul. Not only is it quite comfortable (cosy booths and overstuffed couches), but it also showcases live jazz. The gourmet fusion menu includes fancy finger food like camembert-and-prosciutto–stuffed Moreton Bay bugs, juicy steaks and vegetarian options. The budget conscious should stop by at lunch. The same mains are served for about half the price and you can also order off the $7 home-style lunch menu (think meatloaf, corned beef and Indian chicken).
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Artspace Mackay
Artspace Mackay upholds the strong reputation of regional Queensland art galleries, showcasing local and visiting works on the edge of the civic precinct. You can dabble in a workshop or graze at Foodspace, the in-house licensed cafe open 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday, from 9am on weekends. Information on the Mackay Self-Drive Art Gallery, Pottery & Craft Tour is available.
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Wilkie’s Tavern
Dark red walls and a breezy balcony – Wilkie’s is a little classier than most in Mackay, although it can sound like an aviary up here with all the parrots chirping from nearby trees. A small but solid menu offers fresh fish, oysters and meats as well as a large selection of starters.
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Angelo's on the Marina
A large, lively restaurant in a delightful marina setting, with an extensive range of pasta and a mouth-watering Mediterranean menu. It's located 6.5km northeast of the centre. (Take the Forgan Bridge.)
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Mackay Townhouse Motel
Art deco enthusiasts will love Mackay’s CBD. Most of the facades are at their finest on the second storey. Noteworthy examples include the Mackay Townhouse Motel, the Australian Hotel and the Ambassador Hotel.
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Pacino’s on the Waterfront
This relaxed riverside restaurant is tucked between a string of warehouses, giving it an ‘in-the-know’ kind of feel. Seafood is the main fare, served in abundant and tasty quantities, sometimes tossed around in heaps of pasta or plonked on crispy pizzas.
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Sorbello's
A long-established Italian restaurant drawing a steady crowd of hungry diners to its casual city location. There is a giant selection of reasonably priced pasta and pizzas, as well as many cakes and ice creams to choose from at the front counter.
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Gordi's Cafe & Bar
Order a $5 schooner and pull up a stool at this big open-air bar overlooking Victoria St's comings and goings.
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Platinum Lounge
On the 1st floor above the corner of Victoria and Wood Sts, the Platinum Lounge is still the most popular nightclub in town.
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Satchmo's at the Reef
A classy wine-and-tapas bar full of boaties and featuring live music on Sunday afternoon. It's located 6.5km northeast of the centre.
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Kevin's Place
Sizzling, spicy Singaporean dishes and efficient, revved-up staff combine with the building's colonial ambience and the tropical climate to create a Raffles-esque experience.
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Lighthouse
An excellent takeaway seafood spot (try the epic fish burger) with a popular, rather fancy seafood restaurant next door.
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Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens
These gardens, 3km south of the city centre, includes a lovely Tropical Shade Garden.
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Ambassador Hotel
Art deco enthusiasts will love Mackay’s CBD. Most of the facades are at their finest on the second storey.
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Tropical Shade Garden
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Bluewater Lagoon
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Sails Sports Bar Bar
This outdoors bar with sports memorabilia on the walls can get rowdy at night, but it's a great place on Sunday arvo with live music and a marina outlook. Mackay Harbour is 6.5km north-east of the centre (via the Forgan Bridge).
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Reeforest Adventure Tours
Offers a wide range of tours, including an Indigenous cultural tour to Cape Hillsborough National Park.
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Oscar's on Sydney
Cafe famed for its delicious poffertjes (authentic Dutch pancakes with traditional toppings).
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Montezuma's
Mexican-influenced restaurant with cosy atmosphere and snug booths.
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Jungle Johno Tours
Runs excellent day trips from Gecko's Rest hostel to Eungella National Park, including pick-up, morning tea and lunch.
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