Beaches
Mackay is home to some of Queensland’s cleanest and most scenic beaches, including the popular Harbour Beach, Illawong Beach, Iluka Beach, Lamberts Beach, Blacks Beach, Eimeo Beach, Bucasia Beach, Shoal Point and the beaches of the Hibiscus Coast. Many beaches are very close to the city, others offer the perfect opportunity for a day trip to explore further a field
Surf life saving patrols are conducted at Harbour Beach 365 days a year, and at Lamberts, Blacks and Eimeo beaches during all school holidays except June/July. Swimmers are urged to take precautions to protect themselves against marine stingers, which are most common during the summer months. Dogs are not permitted in bathing reserves.
Swimming enclosures are provided at the following beaches: Bucasia, Seaforth, Haliday Bay and McEwens Beach.
Blacks Beach
Patroled during school holiday periods and at weekends over the summer months, Blacks Beach stretches for kilometers. At low tide, the sand bars are exposed. A popular beach for walking as well as swimming. The rocks at the northern end of the beach are a popular fishing spot.
Bucasia Beach
A permanent swimming enclosure is located at the end of Williams Avenue. Bucasia has a long sandy beach and is one of the cities most popular beaches. A playground, toilets and barbeque facilities are provided along the esplanade at Seaview Park.
Cape Hillsborough
The perfect location for a day trip from Mackay, Cape Hillsborough is a spectacular place. Stretches of sparkling, white sand are backed by the national park. There are many great walking tracks in the area, including an elevated boardwalk through the mangroves. Andrews Point walking track offers fantastic views of the coast and islands. It is possible to walk to Wedge Rock at low tide. Toilets, barbeques and picnic facilities are provided in the foreshore park. Late afternoon is a good time to spot wallablies on the beach.
Eimeo Beach
Eimeo Beach is patroled during school holiday periods and at weekends over the summer months.
A local landmark, the Eimeo pub is perched on the hilltop and offers magnificent views of the coast and lslands. Picnic facilities, barbeques and toilets are provided along Eimeo Esplanade, adjacent to the beach.
Haliday Bay
A palm fringed tropical beach, Haliday Bay is usually calm and protected. There is a swiming enclosure at Haliday Bay and a picnic area and toilet facilities are located off Haliday Bay Rd.
Harbour Beach
Patrolled 365 days a year, Harbour beach offers the opportunity to swim under the watchful eyes of Surf Lifesavers. Mulherin Park is close by, and offers a children's playground, barbeques and picnic shelters.
Illawong Beach
Illawong Beach is popular with local sailboarders when the wind is blowing. Toilets, a playground, barbeques and picnic facilites are provided at Quota Park. The beach offers views of Flat Top and Round Top islands.
Iluka Beach
Picnic facilities, toilets, a playground and barbeques are provided at Iluka Park. The mouth of the Pioneer River is a popular fishing spot. Close by is the Sandfly Creek which has a walking track through to the city. There is a half-court basketball court and a cricket pitch open 24 hours a day. Popular with sailboarders, kite surfers and walkers.
Lamberts Beach
Patroled during school holiday periods and at weekends over the summer months. Lamberts Beach lookout offers good views of
the coast. Surfers often try to catch a wave at Lamberts Beach when the conditions are right.
McEwens Beach
A swimming enclosure is located along McEwens Beach. Reg Jones Park has a children's playground and seating.
Midge Point
A relaxed coastal town, and a popular fishing spot. The beach is sheltered and picnic shelters and toilets facilites are provided.
Seaforth
Seaforth is a picturesque coastal town, and a popular fishing spot. There is a swimming enclosure at Seaforth, close to the camping area. Picnic and toilet facilities are also provided.
Shoal Point
Shoal Point is the northern most of Mackay's Northern beaches. Sand flats are visible at low tide and there is a shady picnic area.
St Helens Beach
St Helens is a popular fishing spot. The beaches in the area a rich in mangrove diversity and provide habitat for 
wildlife. Day visitors can use the facilities in the camping ground at the end of Murray Rd. There are also facilities including a picnic shelter, seats and a playground along Repulse Esplanade.
Council employs a beach protection team to undertake mangement work on foreshores and beach environments. Their work includes: swimming enclosure maintenance, fencing to restrict access to the sensitive dune environment, beach access track construction and maintenance, erosion management works, weed control and the restoration of native vegetation. Find out more about coastal management in Mackay.