The sweet taste of success for Australia’s sugar capital
It seems that international visitors are beginning to discover Mackay with Mackay Tourism reporting that Australia’s sugar city continues to grow as a popular international tourist destination.
International visitor arrivals into the Mackay region in North Queensland increased by 21% by the end of 2005, but clearly length of stay was rocketing with international visitor nights growing by a massive 64.2%.
The Mackay region is famous with Australians for its unspoiled tropical ambience, deserted beaches, rainforest and friendly, laid-back lifestyle, contrasting starkly with Queensland’s more developed tourist destinations, but is now becoming popular with more and more travellers from Europe, North America, Asia and New Zealand.
So what’s happening in Mackay to cater for this influx of international visitors?
A new Grand Mercure Suites will open in late 2006 and Mackay Marina Village and Shipyard has been awarded Australian Marina of the Year for 2006 by the Australian Marine Industries Federation, with the Clarion Hotel, located at the Marina, also being voted the Best Superior Accommodation (4*’s and above) by the Queensland Hotels Association.
For walkers, The Mackay Highlands Great Walk from Eungella (home of the famous Platypus) to Homevale has now been opened by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Sarina Sugar Shed opened in late June 2006 offering an sugar unique experience. Mackay Tropical Tours commenced in late 2005 and takes travellers on a guided journey through the renowned wilderness of Cape Hillsborough National Park and Reeforest Adventure Tours have expanded their guided tours and can take travellers platypus spotting in the beautiful Eungella National Park.
The revitalisation of Mackay’s city centre continues, with the construction of the Pioneer Promenade and a number of new developments to create an exciting riverside tourism precinct, including a Convention Centre, further accommodation and Sydney Street Markets.
Travellers to Mackay now also have the opportunity to explore some of the largest, and most successful mining locations in Australia, travellers now being able to tour the Blair Athol Mines and the Peak Down Mines and watch in amazement as tons of coal are mined out of the ground and sent into production.
For more information, pls go to www.mackayregion.com
Report from Australian Tourism Exchange by John Alwyn-Jones
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