Mackay City and Waterfront

Mackay City and Waterfront Welcome to Mackay City and Waterfront - the soul of our city and the Mackay region's hub for business, relaxation, retail, hospitality and opportunity.

Indulge in some retail therapy, attend a business meeting or meander from shop to cafe, to significant building or public art work and enjoy all that the Mackay City and Waterfront has to offer. Day or night, summer or winter, enjoy it all in the city. The Mackay City and Waterfront is home to many of Mackay’s long-standing and preeminent businesses - many of which have a history dating back more

than one hundred years. This history is obvious through the surrounding, well-preserved early 20th century and art deco architecture, which bring an endearing character to the streets of the city. Ever-present history, coupled with a mix of new and vibrant businesses and state-of-the-art premises, The Mackay City Centre is a diverse and vibrant focus point of our region’s business landscape. The exciting Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA) is also taking shape. The area encompasses approximately 172 hectares and focuses on five key precincts including the City Centre, Riverside, Enterprise, Queens park and Beachside. Early works are set to commence in 2021 and include public realm upgrades that will allow a sense of connection to the stunning Pioneer River as well as an enjoyable recreational space for the community to relax and utilise.

⏰ ONE WEEK TO GO! ⏰Got an idea to activate a space, improve community safety or revitalise your business frontage?Now is...
20/08/2026

⏰ ONE WEEK TO GO! ⏰

Got an idea to activate a space, improve community safety or revitalise your business frontage?

Now is the time to apply for one of Mackay City and Waterfront's grants before applications close on Friday, 28 August 2026.

✨ Make Your Place Grant - Bring bold ideas to life with funding for community events, creative activations, public art, pop-up experiences, cultural celebrations and placemaking projects that connect people and create vibrant places.

🌃 City Safety Grant - Improve safety and amenity within the City Centre through projects such as security lighting, CCTV and other infrastructure that helps create a safer and more welcoming environment.

🏢 Façade Improvement Grant - Refresh your building's street appeal with support for exterior improvements, painting, signage, heritage restoration and other projects that enhance local streetscapes. This opportunity is open region wide.

Whether you're a community group, business owner, property owner, creative or organisation, there's funding available to help turn your vision into reality.

📅 Applications close Friday, 28 August 2026

🔗Apply now: https://www.mackaywaterfront.com.au/Initiatives/Grants

Mid week check in: What's On at the Riverside for the rest of your week? 👀WEDNESDAY August 19⏱️6.30am-10.00am Mackay Far...
18/08/2026

Mid week check in: What's On at the Riverside for the rest of your week? 👀

WEDNESDAY August 19
⏱️6.30am-10.00am
Mackay Farmers' Market
📍Bluewater Quay

⏱️5.30pm - 6.30pm
KFIN YOGA FLOWS
📍River Wharves - free event

THURSDAY August 20
⏱️6.00am - 9.00am
Enter the Land Coffee Van
📍River Wharves

⏱️3.00pm - 7.00pm
Mackay Riverside Market
📍Bluewater Quay

Saturday August 22
⏱️8.00am - 10.00am
River Wharves Breakfast Collective
📍River Wharves

Red Dog Riverfront High Tide Festival Mackay
⏱️1.00pm - 10.00pm
📍Bluewater Quay

Goanna Brewing
Open Monday to Saturday

🎨 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 5Celebrate what makes our community unique.Cultural Activations sh...
14/08/2026

🎨 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 5
Celebrate what makes our community unique.

Cultural Activations showcase local stories, creativity, traditions and talents while bringing people together in shared public spaces.

From exhibitions and performances to workshops and community celebrations, these projects help create vibrant places where culture can be experienced and shared.

Ready to bring your idea to life?
💰 Funding available through the Make Your Place Grant Program
📅 Applications close 28 August 2026

Apply now: https://www.mackaywaterfront.com.au/Initiatives/Grants/Make-Your-Place-Grant

🌴 City Heart palm cleaning works begin next week 🌴Our annual City Heart palm cleaning program will take place from Augus...
14/08/2026

🌴 City Heart palm cleaning works begin next week 🌴

Our annual City Heart palm cleaning program will take place from August 18 to 31, with crews working during the early hours of the morning to minimise disruption to local businesses, residents and visitors.

You may notice elevated work platforms, maintenance vehicles and traffic management in place while these important maintenance works are completed.

🚧 Additional tree maintenance works are also scheduled at:

📍 Dawson Boulevard and Sir Griffith Way, Rural View
🗓 August 18-19
⏰ 9am-4pm
🚦 Traffic control in place

📍 Mango Avenue, Eimeo
🗓 August 21⏰
9am-4pm
🚦 Traffic control in place

Motorists are asked to follow all traffic management directions, observe signage and allow extra travel time when travelling through work areas.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while we carry out these important works to help maintain the health, safety and appearance of our region's trees. 🌳😊

✨ Gift the magic ✨ A family day out starts with a plan - who are you bringing to the exhibition? ✨Disney: The Exhibition...
13/08/2026

✨ Gift the magic ✨ A family day out starts with a plan - who are you bringing to the exhibition? ✨

Disney: The Exhibition – A Century of Magic opens in Mackay from 4 Dec 2026.
🎟️ Family tickets available now at https://brnw.ch/21x4TGW

💬 Drop your fave Disney moment below!



Disney100: The Exhibition Walt Disney Archives
Visit Mackay Isaac, Queensland, Australia
Woollam Mackay Airport Caneland Central

🧘‍♀️🌿 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 4What if the city became a hub for health, wellness and commun...
13/08/2026

🧘‍♀️🌿 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 4
What if the city became a hub for health, wellness and community connection?

Imagine a Mackay Wellness Month filled with outdoor fitness classes, yoga by the river, wellness workshops, guided walks, meditation sessions and healthy living activities throughout the City Centre and Riverfront.

Projects that encourage physical activity, social connection and wellbeing can help create vibrant public spaces where people feel inspired to get involved.

How would you activate wellness in Mackay?
💰 Funding available through the Make Your Place Grant Program
📅 Applications close 28 August 2026

Apply now: https://www.mackaywaterfront.com.au/Initiatives/Grants/Make-Your-Place-Grant

🍽️ 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 3Imagine sharing a meal with friends, community and visitors in t...
12/08/2026

🍽️ 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 3

Imagine sharing a meal with friends, community and visitors in the heart of the city.

A Long Table Lunch in a laneway or a Community Dinner overlooking the Pioneer River can bring people together, celebrate local food and create memorable experiences in unique public spaces.

The best placemaking projects connect people, and sometimes that starts with a seat at the table.

Who would you invite?
💰 Funding available through the Make Your Place Grant Program
📅 Applications close 28 August 2026

Apply now: https://www.mackaywaterfront.com.au/Initiatives/Grants/Make-Your-Place-Grant

🌟 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 2Turn blank walls into captivating experiences! Projection Art can...
11/08/2026

🌟 5 Days of Make Your Place Project Inspiration | Day 2

Turn blank walls into captivating experiences!

Projection Art can transform buildings, laneways and public spaces into vibrant canvases that showcase local stories, creativity and culture. From animated artworks and historical storytelling to immersive visual experiences, projection projects can encourage people to explore and see familiar places in a whole new way.

What story could your art tell after dark?

💰 Funding available through the Make Your Place Grant Program
📅 Applications close 28 August 2026

Apply now: https://www.mackaywaterfront.com.au/Initiatives/Grants/Make-Your-Place-Grant

What's On...THIS WEEK AT THE RIVERSIDEWEDNESDAY August 12⏱️6.30am-10.00am Mackay Farmers' Market 📍Bluewater Quay⏱️9.00 -...
10/08/2026

What's On...THIS WEEK AT THE RIVERSIDE

WEDNESDAY August 12
⏱️6.30am-10.00am
Mackay Farmers' Market
📍Bluewater Quay

⏱️9.00 - 11.00am
Kids Fun at River Wharves - free event https://www.mackaywaterfront.com.au/Whats-On
📍River Wharves

⏱️5.30pm - 6.30pm
KFIN YOGA FLOWS
📍River Wharves - free event

THURSDAY August 13
⏱️6.00am - 9.00am
Enter the Land Coffee Van
📍River Wharves

⏱️3.00pm - 7.00pm
Mackay Riverside Market
📍Bluewater Quay

Saturday August 15
⏱️8.00am - 10.00am
River Wharves Breakfast Collective
📍River Wharves

Red Dog Riverfront
Open Wednesday to Sunday

Goanna Brewing
Open Monday to Saturday

Address

Mackay, QLD

Telephone

+611300622529

Website

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