Mackay is known for fantastic adventure tourism and adrenalin pumping adventures - that’s because this natural playground is filled from north to south coast with wilderness and hundreds opportunities for heart-pumping fun.

People soar on engineered wings of fabric and cable while beneath, others dive through the undergrowth on mountain bikes, splashing through shallow creeks. Creeks that lead to rivers upon which kayakers explore. Downstream the rivers open up to the sea.

People are launching themselves from cliff faces into the churning waters below with glee and/or terror on their face as yachts ride the unrelenting wind further out to sea. They cut through white-capped waves as the crew launch their weight to counterbalance, sea spray stinging determined faces.

Clermont is an old mining town in the Mackay region, filled with history from Australia’s pioneering days.

Following the discovery of gold at Nelson’s Gully in 1861, 1862 saw the first camps of prospectors line the gentle sloping banks of Hood’s Lagoon.

Within the year a small town had sprung up, with a general store and around 30 diggings, hopefuls waiting for their big score, waiting to strike rich off the gold.

Fishermen adore Mackay because this laid back North Queensland destination features some of the most spectacular fishing spots in the country. Both northern and southern fish species mingle in the surrounding waters and anglers have the best of both worlds because of this unique meeting point.

Mackay Marina is perfect for those with their own boat with its five-lane public boat ramp and it’s wealth of docks and berths. The Marina Breakwater is also the perfect place to drop in a line while waiting to go on that boating adventure, you can catch jewfish, mackerel or bream right from the rocks.

Head to the Pioneer River for whiting, flathead and bream fishing or try one of the local dams for some of the best freshwater fishing where you can chase barramundi, sooty grunter and sleepy cod.

Located just a stone's throw from tropical Mackay, Keswick Island is nestled amongst the Great Barrier Reef’s stunning turquoise waters.

There’s much to uncover and plenty to see and do. It’s a whole world on natural experiences from tropical rainforests to the white sandy beaches that fringe them. Explore the delights of the vibrant coral reef and get close and personal with the marine life that calls this paradise home.

Staying there is a healthy part of the fun, with unspoilt wildernesses to explore combined with all the first-class amenities you’d expect from a five-star tourist destination. But Keswick is also a brilliant launching platform for a range of other great experiences on the Great Barrier Reef and around Mackay.

A new and wonderful addition to Mackay’s natural spaces, the Bluewater Trail in Mackay visits all of the important natural and recreational spaces in Mackay.

You’ll visit the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, a fantastic recreational space in and of itself, with beautiful gardens and plenty of space.

The Bluewater trail then runs through the Sandfly Creek Environmental Walkway, a great walk and a great ride too. It then takes advantage of the Catherine Freeman Walk before passing the free three-tiered Bluewater Lagoon swimming facility, offering a chance to cool off with a dip into the waters.

When in Mackay make sure to spend some time at the Ken Burgess Display House, commonly referred to as the Orchid House.

It’s a wonderful way to spend an hour or two, exploring the large, hexagonal-shaped greenhouse in bloom.

It’s absolutely beautiful. Enter a cool oasis that’s surrounded by majestic trees and tropical gardens.