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The tranquil lagoon of Mackay Botanic Gardens
To get there, from Bruce Hwy (A1) turn west into Lagoon St. Road signage will lead you to the main entrance of the gardens with a Visitor Centre and a famous café with a large deck overlooking the lagoon. A 3km-long self-guided walking track runs through the gardens.
Over 160 bird species have been recorded in the Botanic Gardens. Key species are Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pale-vented Bush-hen, White-browed Crake, Glossy Ibis, Torresian Imperial-Pigeon and Great Bowerbird. Other birds on interest include Cotton Pygmy-goose, Magpie Goose, Radjah Shelduck, Latham’s Snipe, Yellow Honeyeater, Dusky Honeyeater, Helmeted Friarbird and White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike. Rarities include Brolga, Black-necked Stork, Black-tailed Native-hen, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, King Quail, Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, Metallic Starling and Australian Swiftlet.
This is a popular birdwatching destination. People stop here to tick off Red-whiskered Bulbul, an isolated northernmost population of this introduced species. The best place to look for them is around the café. Order something to eat and wait; they will come to you. You can also look for them in the surrounding streets and some other Mackay locations such as the Ooralea suburb (formerly called Planlands) or East Gordon St.
Another good species in the gardens is Pale-vented Bush-hen. They are cheeky and tame, often feeding among the pandanus roots by the pathways.
The lagoon is usually filled with waterbirds, particularly at the far end corner near the highway. Magpie Geese, Purple Swamp-hens, Dusky Moorhens and both Whistling-Ducks can be found here in their hundreds. Comb-crested Jacanas, Cotton Pygmy-geese, Glossy Ibises, Plumed Egrets and Hardheads are also numerous. Occasionally, Baillon’s Crake and White-browed Crake can be found here.
Common bush birds in the Botanic Gardens include Great Bowerbird (often near the café), Olive-backed Sunbird, Yellow Honeyeater, Helmeted Friarbird, Torresian Imperial-Pigeon, Brush Cuckoo, Eastern Koel, Red-backed Fairy-wren and Pacific Baza.
A pair of Red-backed Fairy-wrens
Look closely at the swallow-like birds hunting over the lagoon. Among the martins and swallows you’ll have a chance to spot Fork-tailed Swifts or even a flock of Australian Swiftlets.
Many rare species have been recorded in the gardens. In May 2017, a juvenile Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher was found in the rainforest section. Great Crested Grebes are occasionally found in the lagoon. In January 2016, a flock of White-browed Woodswallows and a single Metallic Starlings visited the gardens.
Pioneer River Boardwalk
This site is part of the 20km Bluewater Trail running from the Botanic Gardens through Pioneer River to the oceanside. The Pioneer River Boardwalk site encompasses a stretch of the trail between Bruce Hwy and Bluewater Lagoon (near the Caneland Shopping Centre). To complement the boardwalk, several short walking tracks run through mangroves, canals, grassland and bush regrowth in the area. The entrance to the site is behind the Caneland mall (near the Myer store) at the end of Matsuura Dr.
To get there, from Bruce Hwy (A1) take Gordon St and soon turn left into Mangrove Rd, then left again into Matsuura Dr. A viewing platform over the Pioneer River is located opposite the shopping centre’s carpark. A large island and a sandbar in the river are a wader roost. Good facilities can be found along the river and in the shopping centre.
Over 60 species are on the Pioneer River Boardwalk’s birdlist. Key species are the waders, Comb-crested Jacana, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Radjah Shelduck and Black Butcherbird. Other birds of interest include Mangrove Gerygone, Mangrove Honeyeater, Helmeted Friarbird, Yellow Honeyeater, Buff-banded Rail, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo and Tawny Grassbird.
Stop at the viewing platform to check out the waders. Common species here include Far Eastern Curlew, Whimbrel, Pacific Golden Plover, Red-kneed Dotterel, Black-fronted Dotterel and Pied Stilt. There should also be some Caspian Terns, Little Egrets, Striated Herons, Ospreys and Brahminy Kites on the riverbanks. Occasionally, Eastern Reef Egret may be spotted here.
While walking through the mangroves, the sound of singing Mangrove Gerygones is all around you. Azure Kingfishers hunt along the canals. At low tide, check the mudflats in the canals for Radjah Shelduck, Buff-banded Rail, Little Egret and Whimbrel.
In the unkempt grassy areas expect to see Brown Quail, Tawny Grassbird, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin and Australasian Pipit. In several small temporary wetlands through the grassy areas you may find Magpie Goose, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Plumed Whistling-Duck and occasionally Brolga.
Bush birds at this site include Dusky Honeyeater, Rainbow Bee-eater, Spangled Drongo, Leaden Flycatcher, and Black Butcherbird.
Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve
This reserve is one of the largest (60ha) green areas in Mackay. The site is located on the south headland of the Pioneer River. The reserve protects remnants of original vegetation (mostly mangroves, coastal scrub and saltmarshes). A large area of grassland is slowly being revegetated with native flora. Sandfly Creek flows through the reserve. It is fitted with several floodgates to mitigate storm flash flood risks in the surrounding suburbs. Bluewater Trail runs through the reserve from the east end of River St to East Gordon St. Facilities such as toilets and picnic tables are provided at both ends of Bluewater Trail.
There are two entrances to the reserve:
At the east end of River St. To get there, from Bruce Hwy (A1) take Gordon St and drive through the CBD until you get to Lawson St. Turn left, at the T-junction with River St turn right. Drive to a large carpark at end of the road.
In the Illuka Park at the east end of East Gordon St. To get there follow Gordon St onto East Gordon St until you reach Illuka Park.
Over 150 bird species have been recorded here. Key species are Beach Stone-curlew, Sooty Oystercatcher, Black Bittern, Mangrove Robin and Mangrove Gerygone. Other notable birds include waders, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Torresian Imperial-Pigeon, Helmeted Friarbird and Little Bronze-cuckoo. Rarities include Common Sandpiper, Broad-billed Flycatcher, Black-necked Stork, Painted Button-quail, Plum-headed Finch and Zebra Finch.
Mangrove Gerygone
Mangroves and beaches of the reserve are a stronghold of Beach Stone-curlews. During wader surveys in the area, 3-4 birds are counted regularly.
Best birding usually happens around the bridge over Sandfly Creek. Check the mangroves; the sound of singing Mangrove Gerygones is unmistakable. Small flocks of Mangrove Honeyeaters move through the mangroves. Collared Kingfishers hunt along the creek at low tide. There is also a chance of seeing Mangrove Robin here or even getting a glimpse of Black Bittern.
Check the waders on the river while walking along the high levee – usually a scope is needed as they tend to hang out on the other side of the river. Expect to find Lesser Sand Plover, Red-capped Plover, Grey-tailed Tattler, Great Knot, Far Eastern Curlew, Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit and Common Greenshank. Solitary Common Sandpipers are found nearly each year roosting at the floodgates in the creek mouth.
