Diana Kupke Writes
Mackay
- Mackay Parks
- Mackay Housing
- Mackay Growth
Links to other pages about Mackay
A Beautiful Place to Live
as long as you are not looking for accommodation!
Mackay, which is midway along the Queensland coast, boasts 31 broad and beautiful beaches, lush farming areas, and tropical rainforests. Many of the suburbs, which are a mix of original Queenslanders and new housing subdivisions, include beach front areas. Mackay is dotted with many green areas, parks, gardens, and farms. We even have grazing cattle in the heart of Mackay thanks to the agricultural program at Mackay State High School.
Cattle at Mackay State High School
Initially the worldwide financial chaos had little effect on Mackay which was high on the top ten list of Australian regional growth areas. The economy, based on mining, sugar, cattle, and tourism remained sound for a long time.
Private rentals
Finding a flat or house to rent in Mackay is very very very difficult. Do not come here unless you have pre-arranged accommodation. The cost of renting has also soared. Not sure if this is because of Covid where Mackay has been seen as a safe place to come and live. Unfortunately Covid is now rife right throughout this state.
Cultural Scene
Although Mackay is more than 1000 kilometres from Brisbane, it is far from being a cultural wasteland. The Mackay Entertainment and Conference Centre hosts numerous performances by state, intra-state and overseas performers. Regular performances are also provided by Kucom, at a variety of venues, and by the Mackay Musical Comedy Players.
Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre
New displays are on show every few weeks at the Mackay Art Space. The area includes a restaurant which is a popular meeting place. Some people consider the twirly bit on the outside of Artspace very like the end result of opening a can of sardines, and then leaving the tin in the rain.
Mackay City Libraries
Mackay is very well served with one mobile library and four stationary libraries at North Mackay, Walkerston, Sarina and Mirani. (I ignore the building in the City Heart). The mobile library provides a regular service for people who are unable to travel. Librarians at all the libraries are extremely helpful and pleasant people and it has been my pleasure to know them for many years.
Furore
Unfortunately the previous Mackay Regional Council made a very sad decision, to move the Mackay Library, which had been located in the council hub in a garden setting, to the city wastelands, no consultation whatsoever. I engaged in a mission to change this decision and have suffered umbrage that now MRC provided five consultations for the new library while denying readers any input whatsoever into the removal plan. The new Mackay Regional Council was faced with a fait acompli when it came on board in early 2016. As the preceding council left the building it accepted a tender for the new library in the city. Most of the old council were turfed out. Jolly good, they were mostly bastards with a few exceptions. As Roy from the IT Crowd was wont to say - "People, what a bunch of bastards."
Mackay City Library
The Central Queensland University includes an excellent library, conservatorium, and numerous lecture theatres. Following a partnership between the university and TAFE, many changes have been made to the campus. The university setting is unique, it is, in typical Mackay style, partly surrounded by canefields. Unfortunately a new housing development suddenly sprang up on one side of the university which partially wrecks the ambience.
Central Queensland University at Mackay
Mackay State High School is the oldest high school in Mackay but has very new airconditioning, paintwork, and fencing. This school also has an agricultural program and cattle, on their huge grassy tree-ed lots, are an interesting sight in the centre of Mackay. The Mackay area has the full panopoly of primary and high schools, both state run and private.
Mackay State High School
Canefields are a common sight right throughout Mackay. New housing estates are edged or even ringed with cane. On the edge of the city is the Racecourse Mill.
Canefields and Racecourse Mill
Travellers can go to the visitor information centre, which is at the City Gates, for information on the area.
There are many lovely old buildings to visit in Mackay. The area was settled in 1862, although many places already bore names following the sail-by made by Captain James Cook in 1770. 1865 was a good year, the first sugar cane was planted, the town of Mackay was laid out, and the customs house, which still stands today, was built.
Don't forget to visit the Greenmount Homestead, just past Walkerston. This is an interesting 20 minute drive from Mackay. Greenmount Homestead was the original home owned by Captain John Mackay who established a settlement in the area in 1862.
Another super council Mackay Regional Council
Whether you are coming here to live, or just visiting, you couldn't chose a more beautiful place. Mackay has great weather with a mean maximum temperature of 26 degrees and a mean minimum of 17 degrees. There are two seasons, the wet (summer months) and the dry (winter months). With Australia's changing climatic conditions, Mackay's weather pattern has become somewhat erratic but the region is lucky to receive excellent rainfall and is usually very green and lush.