Phone
(07) 4230 0715Address
218 Spence st, Cairns QLD 4870Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5pm
Sat: 8am - 12pm
Sun: CLOSED
Phone
(07) 4957 5075Address
141 Shakespeare St, Mackay QLD 4740Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5pm
Sat: 8am - 12pm
Sun: CLOSED
Mackay is a coastal city in Queensland, Australia. Situated roughly 970 kilometers north of the state capital, Brisbane, the town is named after John Mackay, who was a Scottish explorer that discovered the Pioneer River in 1860.
Mackay and the surrounding region was originally inhabited by the Yuibera people for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. Captain James Cook was the first recorded European to visit the area in 1770, followed by John Mackay in 1860. The town of Mackay was established in 1862, and it quickly grew as a result of the sugar industry.
During World War II, the town was used as a base for the Australian and American military, and it was also a major supply depot for the Australian war effort.
During the remainder of the 20th century, the town of Mackay continued to grow and develop. The sugar industry remains a major part of the local economy with industries such as tourism and mining beginning to flourish.
Today, Mackay is a thriving city with a population of over 120,000 people. It is known for beautiful beaches, scenic countryside, and a rich cultural heritage.
If you’re a local, or just visiting the region, there are numerous fantastic places to visit and experience.
A top destination for nature lovers, Eungella National Park features a diverse range of flora and fauna, including platypus, wallabies, and a variety of bird species. It is also known for its stunning waterfalls, hiking trails, bike tracks and scenic roads.
Smack-bang in the middle of Mackay, Bluewater Lagoon is a public swimming complex with three swimming pools, water slides, and a children's play area. The natural beaches and coastline around Mackay is frequented by stingers, making the Lagoon a reliable and safe alternative.
The newly created Mackay Botanical Gardens was opened to the public in 2003 and is still in active development. A peaceful oasis in the heart of Mackay, the Botanic Gardens feature a range of tropical plants, a butterfly garden, and a children's playground. Even if you’ve visited before, a repeat trip will likely see you experience something new!
Located just a short drive from Mackay, Cape Hillsborough National Park is known for its stunning beaches, boating, wildlife and fishing.
Overall, Mackay and its surrounding region have much to offer visitors, including stunning natural landscapes, vibrant cultural attractions, and a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle.
If you’re looking for adventures in 4WD’s and offroad vehicle’s in and around Mackay, there are a range of trails and tracks to explore. Some of the best options include -
Located 10 minutes from town, this pocket of trails, tracks, dunes and mud holes is a great playground to test out your vehicle and its capabilities.
Around 70km south of Mackay you’ll find the Cape Palmerstone National Park, an area famed for fishing and camping. Vehicle access is restricted to 4WD vehicles only, trailers and caravans are strongly discouraged due to difficult track conditions with tracks along the beach also being inaccessible at high tide.
Located approximately 40km southwest of Mackay, Crediton State Forest offers a range of challenging 4WD tracks and trails in and around a historic area that used to contain gold mines. This region contains tracks suitable for modified vehicles only. Don’t overestimate your vehicles ability.
As you can see, all along the Queensland coast, there are endless ways to enjoy the natural beauty of what Queensland has to offer, but if you plan on tackling any of the off-road trails in and around Mackay, you should take a moment to prepare your vehicle to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are some key things that should be on your checklist:
Before you take your vehicle out, take some time to give your vehicle a once over. Some of the critical things you might like to check out are:
Even if you’re just taking a day trip, remember essential safety equipment such as a first aid kit and a UHF radio. You might also consider:
Make sure you have enough supplies on hand in case you, or someone you’re travelling with has an incident. For multiple day excursions, ensuring you have enough fuel, food, drinking water in case you stay an unplanned extra night is well worth the trouble.
When using our local trails, respect the environment and minimise your impact. Big dirty rooster tails and digging big pits looks great on Instagram but seriously impacts trail usage and restricts more lightly modified vehicles from enjoying the same terrain.
Remember that some National Parks require permits or approvals to access the trail you are planning to visit, research and organise these ahead of time to prevent any setbacks to your day out.
By taking this advice seriously, 4WD owners can continue enjoying the most beautiful parts of the country with their family and friends.
Regardless of where you intend to take your vehicle, preparation and forward thinking is the name of the game. Whether you’re towing a caravan up the highway with your stock Patrol or taking on the toughest trailers in your fully kitted out ‘Cruiser, Torque Tyres & Trailer Spares is the place to go for your preventative maintenance, inspection, accessory, tyre, wheel and suspension needs.
Our team of experienced technicians know the local conditions and we pride ourselves on offering exceptional customer service and expert advice to help you get the most out of your off-road experience.
Whether you're a veteran off-roader or just now experiencing the world of 4WDing and getting off the beaten track, we're here to help you make the most of your adventure.
Come and see us at Torque Tyres. We'll work with you to ensure your 4WD is in top condition and ready to take on anywhere you want to go.
