Flights from Mackay to Denver

Need to know

Bustling and cosmopolitan, the ‘Mile High City’ is not your average, quiet mountain town. The largest city in the Rocky Mountains, Denver intertwines its cowboy roots with a growing, eclectic arts scene.

The capital of Colorado, Denver is home to over 4,000 acres of beautiful parks. Washington Park is a popular example, with two serene lakes and a replica of George Washington’s gardens at Mount Vernon. Head to the Denver Botanic Gardens to view flora from across the world, or take a picturesque trip along the 64-kilometre-long Cherry Creek Trail, which stems from the heart of the city. The stunning natural splendour of the Rocky Mountains are also within reach from Denver. Hike up the tallest mountain of the Chicago Peaks, Mount Evans, to discover spectacular views from its summit.

Denver contains lots of museums and art galleries which celebrate both its old mining town culture and its new wave of emerging artists. Spend a day exploring the planetarium and many exhibitions at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Head eastside to visit the Denver Art Museum or the MCA Denver, both of which have amazing artworks from the city and further afield. Take a walk through the streets of Capitol Hill and look out for beautiful landmarks such as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Colorado State Capitol. Larimer Square is also worth a visit for its 19th-century architecture.

Entertainment is easy to come by in Denver, with lots of attractions catering to different interests. Head to Denver Zoo with the family, or watch a quintessentially American game of baseball at Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies. Head to 16th Street Mall for the best shopping and dining experiences in a gorgeous, tree-lined promenade. Denver’s culinary and local brewery scene is growing too, with a wide range of dining experiences to be had - especially downtown. The Coors Brewery offers a popular guided tour, while a number of smaller, independent breweries such as Great Divide Brewing and Renegade Brewing are also dotted around the city.

 Getting around

Denver has a big cycling culture; there are many off-street bike and pedestrian paths which follow natural waterways and venture to the city’s outer suburbs. It’s easy to explore the downtown area on foot, however, you’ll need a car to get out and discover more of the city. Buses are also a cheap and reliable way to get around; a free shuttle bus runs through the 16th Street Mall and stops at most major downtown attractions. The light rail can also take you to attractions in the downtown area, but services are limited.

The best time to visit Denver is in the shoulder months: from April to May and from September to October. Springtime in Denver offers good hotel rates, temperate weather, and a number of music festivals. Tourists flock to Denver during summer as the temperatures rise above 30°C. If you plan to travel at this time, be sure to book your accommodation in advance. Head to Denver in September and October for good weather with occasional showers and a variety of festivals, including The Great American Beer Festival. The period from November to March is popular for skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Rocky Mountains; however, travellers should be prepared for snowstorms and for temperatures to drop as low as -20°C.

Denver International Airport

Located roughly 30 minutes northeast of the city centre, Denver International Airport serves over 54 million passengers per year. Flights travel to Denver International Airport from a number of destinations, including Munich, Los Angeles, London and Toronto. There are no direct flights available from Australia.