Mackay’s push to be crowned Qld’s hottest new cruise destination

Tourism leaders say the region is ‘sitting on a gold mine’ amid a new push to have Mackay crowned Queensland’s latest cruise ship destination, with the incredible financial benefits for businesses revealed.

Tourism leaders who believe Mackay is sitting on a “gold mine” are workshopping how to unlock the region as Queensland’s next cruise ship destination.

Mackay Isaac Tourism CEO Al Grundy revealed he met with Harbour Master Jason Britton late last year to kickstart turning a dream into a reality.

“We did a site visit of North Queensland Bulk Ports out at Mackay Harbour and to be honest I was excited about the opportunity,” Mr Grundy said.

“Even though that port is predominantly set up to handle ships that are carrying either fuel or exporting sugar and grains, the facility itself gives us potential to bring in cruise ships – the type that are currently cruising up and down the Queensland coast.”

Mr Grundy said based on data from Cairns’ cruise ship visits, every ship docking in Mackay could deliver upwards of 800 visitors and inject about $150,000 into the economy just from tourism experiences.

There was more to be gained from money spent on food, souvenirs and the like.

The cruise ship Queen Victoria could dock in Mackay should the right pieces fall into place. Picture: Contributed

“Where we’re at now, we had a meeting (on Wednesday) which included representatives from the Australian Cruise Ship Association, NQBP, the harbour master, tourism operators, Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Isaac Tourism, Rob(ert) Cocco came from Regional Development Australia, and Therese Phillips from Tourism Events Queensland because obviously Queensland as a state recognises the value of cruising,” Mr Grundy said.

He added there was also members from Mackay Taxis, Wildcat Mackay, Wakehouse Australia, and Kinetic, with all attendees focused on the logistics of how to host, move and manage an influx of visitors, and what experiences they could be offered.

He said the Mackay Isaac region was “sitting on a gold mine” with the council investing to redevelop the riverfront as well as the construct mountain bike trails.

“There’s excursions that could take in the likes of the Pioneer Valley … and we believe there’s itinerary opportunities up to the north with Cape Hillsborough and Seaforth,” Mr Grundy said.

The Sarina Sugar Shed offers visitors a behind-the-scenes experience of Queensland’s rich sugar cane history. You can extract juice from fresh sugar cane, taste-test rum and fruit liqueur products, chutneys, relishes and sauces, ginger beer, and freshly-spun fairy floss. You can also tour the boutique distillery which has produced multiple award-winning blends.

There was also the Sarina Sugar Shed to the south, experiences in the City Heart, the Northern Beaches, visits to the islands, and helicopter tours to places like Keswick Island or into the Isaac region taking in the picturesque sights of The Peak Range National Park.

Wolfang Peak is the most popular peak of the ranges within the Peak Range National Park in the Isaac region. Picture: Mackay Isaac Tourism

“Even following the artist trail … the cruise ship visitors are really into arts and crafts, they might go and visit some artists’ studios or even join in for an hour or two in a class,” Mr Grundy said.

“At this point in time, we’re only restricted by our imagination and our ability to take the broader community on the tourism journey … I don’t want to over promise at this point in time, it’s early days, but we might be in a position in three years time to say we’ve got enough touring product now (to get cruise ships).

“We should dream big and keep the ball rolling in this space.”

Finch Hatton Gorge in the Pioneer Valley west of Mackay could become an attraction for cruise ship passengers. Picture: @foreignlandscapes

Wildcat Mackay’s Dan Gabbert, who previously worked for cruise ships in Cairns for 20 years, said if Mackay could harness its potential, the flow-on effects would be huge.

“There’s the possibility of ships coming in that have 100 people on board, but there’s the possibility of international ships with 6000 on board so the money it will inject into the regions as a whole will benefit everyone whether you have a cafe, restaurant, pub, are a tourism operator or drive a taxi,” Mr Gabbert said.

“You’re looking at $200,000 to 300,000-plus when a cruise ship comes in (in purchases).

“A lot of the (cruise) itineraries at the moment will go from Brisbane to Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas, Willis Island and then back down to Brisbane.

“There’s a couple of other places on the coast as well.

“I think people are looking for, especially in the domestic market, they’re looking for something they haven’t done before.

“Mackay is a very niche market … and the islands are absolutely spectacular.

“Every single beach around those (Cumberland) Islands rival Whitehaven Beach.”

Wildcat Mackay has reopened access to snorkelling off the Cumberland Islands group.

The Wildcat island tours have already proved wildly popular since launching in Mackay in late 2021, clinching top gongs at myriad tourism awards.

And husband-and-wife owners Ash and Julie Telford are going from strength to strength having recently acquired Whitsunday Jetski Tours and the management contract for Lake Proserpine.

Red Cat Adventures directors Asher and Julie Telford officially launched sales of their Wildcat adventure tours to Mackay Islands in late 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mr Gabbert said they were looking at “a lot of different options” for the Mackay market, which could include rolling out jet skis.

“Watch this space,” he said.

Also poised to capitalise on cruise ship passengers keen for adventure was Wake House Australia managing director Amanda Pelagalli.

Amanda Pelagalli from the WakeHouse Cable Park in Mackay. Picture: Tony Martin

Along with having one of Australia’s eight cable ski parks, which has become a popular spot for a social hangout with its Sun.set sessions, Ms Pelagalli will soon open the backpacking destination, Mackay Adventure Lodge, and her crew recently launched Mackay Adventure Tours and Transfers.

Cape Hillsborough at sunrise. The kangaroos and wallabies that come down to the beach here each morning are world famous and absolutely adorable. Picture: Mark Fitz

“Currently we run every Friday and Saturday a Sunrise with Wallabies, a tour to Cape Hillsborough, and a tour to Finch Hatton Gorge.

“We have a 23-seater bus at the moment and we have two brand new 12-seater Hiaces on order.

“That’ll give us some more flexibility to work with bigger groups that come through the region as well as smaller boutique groups.”

She said it was a “really exciting” prospect cruise ships could bring extra tourists into Mackay.

“I would classify Mackay as an emerging tourist destination and it’s just one that’s been sitting right under everyone’s nose and it’s not reached its full potential yet and I think things like the cruise ships and different tour companies that will come through will start to unravel that and make (Mackay) more known,” Ms Pelagalli said.