Flights from Gold coast to Mackay

Compare Cheap Flights from the Gold Coast to Mackay

Located about halfway up the coast of Queensland, Mackay is often overlooked for some of its more famous neighbours. But Mackay has so much to offer visitors and is the perfect spot to go on your next domestic holiday. Mackay is strategically located between the Great Barrier Reef and several rainforests, making for some incredible scenery. Within easy access of the city centre, there are an abundance of national parks and landmarks that will leave you speechless. Mackay is also within easy reach of the popular Whitsundays, so you can easily include both destinations in the same trip. Within the city centre, Mackay has an interesting atmosphere teeming with art deco architecture and an impressive food scene. With a short travel time, booking cheap airfares from the Gold Coast to Mackay is perfect for a long weekend.

Head to the tropics on your next domestic getaway with Webjet’s cheap airfares from the Gold Coast to Mackay, QLD.

The best time to visit Mackay

Mackay has a tropical climate with warm weather all year. Like many places in the tropics, Mackay has a rainy season during the summer months. Summer also experiences the warmest temperatures of about 30°C with high humidity. The winter and spring see the lowest amount of rain alongside pleasant temperatures between 22°C and 27°C. These are ideal times to book cheap flights from the Gold Coast to Mackay if you are looking to take advantage of the region’s great snorkelling and water activities.

Because of the great weather, winter is the busiest time to visit Mackay. While Mackay doesn’t receive the same crowds as some other Queensland destinations, hotels will often increase their rates during the winter months. In order to experience beautiful Mackay weather while paying low season prices, plan your visit to Mackay for the spring or autumn. These months offer more affordable rates compared to the winter high season without the rain that you would experience during the summer.

Departing From the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is serviced by one airport, which is located in the southern suburb of Bilinga. In addition to the Gold Coast, Gold Coast Airport is the main departure point for passengers from northern New South Wales as well.

Virgin Australia and Qantas each offer a variety of cheap flights from the Gold Coast to Mackay. Flights include two stopovers, and arrive into Mackay Airport (MKY) in about 6 hours. With about 45 to 60 return flights from the Gold Coast to Mackay available every day, you’ll be on your way to starting your holiday in no time.

Getting to Gold Coast Airport

In order to reach your flight from Gold Coast Airport, you can catch the SkyBus from many of the area’s suburbs. The SkyBus stops at about 400 hotels and apartment buildings throughout many of the Gold Coast suburbs, including Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, and Southport. The SkyBus must be pre-booked and is available between 5am and 9pm. Tickets to ride the SkyBus cost $21 AUD for adults, while children can ride for free.

For the most affordable option, you can catch public transport from several Gold Coast suburbs to the airport. The 777 and 760 bus routes each offer stops at Gold Coast Airport. The 777 originates at Broadbeach South tram station and runs every 15 minutes. The 760 bus makes stops between the Varsity Lakes train station and Tweed Heads via the airport every 30 minutes. Tickets to ride each of these buses cost a budget-friendly $3.25 to $3.96 AUD with your go card.

Taxis and Ubers are available from locations all over the Gold Coast. A taxi will get you to the airport in about 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise, 15 minutes from Burleigh Heads, and less than 10 minutes from Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. Taxi fare costs between $70 to $95 AUD from Surfers Paradise, about $55 AUD from Burleigh Heads, and about $20 AUD from Tweed Heads.

Parking at Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport offers several parking options to accommodate a variety of budgets and parking preferences. Each of the car parks offers quick access to the airport terminal.

Where to Park at Gold Coast Airport

• The Budget car park offers covered and uncovered spots. Covered spots start at $66 AUD for 3 days and $115 AUD for a week. Uncovered spots start at $48 AUD for three days and $87 AUD for a week.

• From the Terminal Long Term car park, you can walk from your car into the airport in about 2 minutes. Spots are covered with spots starting at $75 AUD for 3 days and $140 AUD for a week.

Arriving in Mackay

Mackay is home to one airport, which receives regional flights from some destinations around Queensland. The airport is located close to the city, just 5 kilometres (3 miles) south of the CBD.

How to Get from Mackay Airport (MKY) to Your Mackay Hotel or Accommodation

Once your flight has touched down at Mackay Airport (MKY), there are several options to get you to your hotel in the city centre. If you would like to take public transport, the 303 bus travels between the airport and the CBD. This bus offers 11 departures from Mackay Airport (MKY) Monday through Friday and 4 departures on Saturdays. The bus will get you from the airport into the city in about 25 minutes. Tickets for this bus cost $2.30 AUD.

For the most direct trip to your hotel, you can catch a taxi directly outside Mackay Airport (MKY). A taxi will get you into the CBD in less than 10 minutes. Taxi fare to the CBD costs about $20 to $25 AUD, and taxis from the airport will also include a surcharge of $2 AUD.

Things to do in Mackay

Hike at Finch Hatton Gorge

Located a short distance from Mackay, Finch Hatton Gorge is a popular day trip. While visiting, you can take advantage of several hiking trails that will take you past waterfalls, volcanic rock formations, and bright green rainforest. One of the best trails to experience stretches for 1.6 kilometres from the picnic area, taking you to the Araluen waterfall. In addition to hikes and waterfalls, you’ll find a number of rock pools throughout the area that are perfect for cooling off on a hot day.

Eungella National Park

Eungella National Park is located 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Mackay and is easy to combine into a day trip with Finch Hatton Gorge. The park is particularly known as a great place for platypus-spotting and is also home to some nice hikes and views over the mountains. Hiking trails are available to match all skill levels and will take you through some gorgeous tropical rainforests. Some of the top spots to visit within Eungella National Park are the Wheel of Fire Falls, the Sky Window lookout over the Pioneer Valley, and the Broken River.

Go Snorkelling or Scuba Diving

The Great Barrier Reef goes right past Mackay, so there is some pretty impressive snorkelling and diving off the coast. Keswick Island is a short boat ride away from Mackay and is one of the best spots in the Mackay region for spotting coral. Snorkelling at Keswick Island offers special experiences, such as swimming through caves and canyons. In addition to coral and tropical fish, Keswick Island is home to several breeds of sea turtles and manta rays.

Cape Hillsborough National Park

Located north of the city, Cape Hillsborough National Park is right on the ocean. It is particularly popular for the kangaroos that you can see on the beach at sunrise. In addition to its wildlife, Cape Hillsborough offers sprawling beaches, rainforests, and mangroves. This national park is as scenic as it gets with a variety of landscapes mingling among each other.

Walk the Bluewater Trail

While the Mackay region is known for its many nearby national parks, one of the best hikes is right in the city centre. The Bluewater Trail stretches for 20 kilometres (12 miles) along the coastline, offering some incredible views of the ocean. Along the walk, you’ll pass by some of the city’s main attractions, including the Botanic Gardens, the Bluewater Lagoon, and the Pioneer River. Along the walk, you’ll also notice some sculptures that will give you some insight into the history of Mackay.

Take a Day Trip to the Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are one of the most iconic destinations within Queensland, and they’re just a stone’s throw away from Mackay. Get an early start and head to Airlie Beach where you can catch a ferry to the islands or join onto a day tour. There are so many memorable spots to visit within the Whitsundays, so you may want to extend your trip to spend a couple of days there. As well as snorkelling and diving, the Whitsundays are known for Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, and Hook Island.