CENTRAL TOURIST PARK MACKAY -" PAY FOR 2, STAY FOR 3 " -Budget Accommodation 2 km from Mackay City Heart

🏕️ Central Tourist Park – Mackay (North Mackay), QLD

📍 Description & Location

Central Tourist Park is a relaxed and leafy caravan and camping park located just 2 km north of Mackay’s city heart. Set across eight tropical acres in North Mackay, it offers shaded, grassy sites and saltwater pools in a quiet setting close to shops and local services. Its “Pay for 2, Stay for 3” offer makes it a standout value option for budget-conscious travellers.

🪶 History

Operating since the 1960s, the park was among the first fully sewered caravan facilities in regional Queensland. Developed on land once tied to early homesteading and river trade routes, it has evolved into a well-known base for exploring Mackay, retaining a welcoming, old-school charm.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• Powered and unpowered caravan and tent sites

• Drive-through sites available for larger vehicles

• Two outdoor saltwater swimming pools, including a kid-friendly option

• Camp kitchen with BBQs, fridge, and undercover group seating

• Cyclone-resilient amenity blocks with showers and coin laundry

• Budget and deluxe cabins, villas, and motel-style rooms available

• Communal TV lounge, vending machines, and free Wi-Fi in shared areas

• Well-tended gardens and shaded seating nooks

• Dump Point

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Sealed entrance from Malcomson Street (former Bruce Highway)

• Wide, level internal roads—easy for caravans and motorhomes

• Ample parking space adjacent to accommodation zones

🏕️ Stay Information

• Power Sites: Tariff Rate 5

• Unpowered Sites: Tariff Rate 3(Tariff Price Chart at bottom of page)

• Booking: Recommended; essential during peak travel periods

• Authority: Privately operated

• Site Type: Full-service caravan park with mixed accommodation

• Max Stay: Typically up to 14 nights (confirm with office)

• Pets: Not permitted

• Access Notes: Reception open 8 am–6 pm; after-hours check-in via self-serve kiosk (fees may apply)

• Special Offer: “Pay for 2, Stay for 3” available on selected stays—check with operator for conditions and availabilityThis is a well-managed formal site—ideal for short or extended stays close to town.

🍻 Nearby Pubs & Clubs

• North Mackay Bowls Club, ~1 km – easygoing meals and drinks

• Boomerang Hotel, ~2 km – popular with locals, full bistro menu

• Gordi’s Café & Bar, walking distance – relaxed coffee and bites

🏞️ Nearby Campgrounds

• Discovery Parks – Mackay, ~5 km: family-friendly, full amenities

• BIG4 Mackay Blacks Beach, ~12 km: beachfront powered sites

• MyCow Caravan Park, ~10 km: peaceful setting with pet-friendly options

🌄 Nearby Attractions

• Bluewater Lagoon – free-entry swimming lagoon near city centre

• Mackay Botanic Gardens – ideal for a shaded stroll or picnic

• Cape Hillsborough National Park – sunrise wildlife viewing on the sand

• Mackay Marina Village – dining, coastal walks, and boating access

🛒 Nearest Supplies

• Fuel, grocery, and chemist services within 2 km

• Mackay CBD supermarkets and hospital ~2 km south

🌟 Reviews Summary

👍 Positives:

• Central location and shaded, quiet grounds

• Good facilities for families and groups

• Drive-through convenience for motorhomes

• Attractive long-stay or “stay and save” pricing deals

⚠️ Cautions:

• Amenities are clean but dated in some areas

• Pet-free policy may not suit all travellers

• After-hours arrivals need to plan for kiosk check-in

🛠️ Breakdown & Emergency Info

• Emergency Contact: Triple-0 (000)

• Nearest Fuel & Services: Within 2 km

• Mobile Signal: Strong for all networks

• UHF Channels: Road – 40; Emergency Only – 5

• Safety Tips: Cyclone-rated buildings on-site; monitor local alerts in wet season

✍️ Final Note

If you're after solid value, shaded sites, and a splash of tropical calm right near Mackay’s centre, Central Tourist Park is hard to beat. The “Pay for 2, Stay for 3” offer makes longer stays even more attractive, especially for budget-savvy travellers and touring couples. It’s a no-fuss base with all the basics and just enough extras to make it a comfortable repeat stop.