Mackay, Australia (Mackay)

Member Name: TigerMystery

Product:	Mackay
Date:	12/07/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Art Deco buildings, easy to navigate, easy to get to.

Disadvantages: Not really worth spending a long time here.

Location:
East Coast, north of Rockhampton, south of the Whitsundays. Very easily accessible if you have your own transport; it is also accessible by rail, bus and air.

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Things to do:
Mackay was hit by an cyclone in 1918 which destroyed a lot of their buildings. When they rebuilt them, the popluar style at the time was Art Deco. Thus there are a lot of Art Deco buildings to be seen in Mackay. We picked up an information leaflet in the visitor's centre, and spent the day visiting these. I found this very interesting, and in fact have now developed quite an interest in the Art Deco style. The city is built on a grid system of streets, so is fairly easy to navigate.

Artspace Mackay art gallery. Fairly small, but worth the visit. They have changing exhibitions, so it's probably worth checking on the website for up-to-date info on what's there. Also has a gift shop selling art books and a cafe.

Mackay can also be used as a base for visiting Eungella National Park and Finch Hatton Gorge.

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Accomodation:
I stayed in a caravan park, so I don't have any personal experience of accomodation in Mackay, but a quick look in my Lonely Planet tells me there is quite a good selection of accommodation here, ranging from budget to top end places.

Summary: Definitely worth stopping for the art deco tour.