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Make moves in Mackay with a car rental
With a car hire from Mackay Airport, the many delights of Queensland await. Use it to cruise the city and visit the nearby beaches or explore farther afield. The Whitsundays, Australia’s famous resort archipelago, is nearby—and so are many more fabulous things to see and do.
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Free 1 Additional Driver Black Friday Sale Alpha Car Hire Australia Brisbane Airport, Brisbane - Hendra + 4 more 01 December 2022 - 31 March 2023 Minimum hire period: 3 days
Need-to-know information for your Mackay Airport car hire
Situated on the coral sea coast of Queensland, Mackay is a major coastal centre with great beaches, a sophisticated CBD, gorgeous sunrises, and access to the subtropical rainforest of Eungella National Park. Nature and urbanity mix well here, offering visitors the best of both worlds. View wildlife and waterfalls by day and enjoy the bars and restaurants of central Mackay as the sun goes down.
Airport guide
Mackay Airport (IATA: MKY) is located 5 kilometres south of central Mackay. Many flights arrive from and depart to Brisbane, but regional airlines fly to and from other nearby destinations. It has one terminal and a Qantas Club lounge.
Passengers and visitors at Mackay Airport will enjoy access to a small array of eateries, offering everything from full meals to coffees on the go. There is a currency exchange outlet, ATM, toilets, showers, WiFi, luggage storage, and a selection of car parks.
Hire car counters are located in the terminal building arrivals hall. Vehicles are returned to the rental car park near the terminal. For after-hour returns, please note that the key drop box is only available at the desk inside the terminal during airport opening hours.
Driving tips for your car rental Mackay Airport and beyond
Everybody loves a safe trip with no road-related incidents. To ensure you have a journey that’s memorable for the right reasons, take a look at our tips for driving in Queensland. It pays to be prepared!
- Always drive your car hire Makay Airport on the left side of the road! This is the rule and custom in Australia, and can take some getting used to for travellers coming from right-side driving countries.
- The blood alcohol concentration limit for fully licenced drivers in Queensland is 0.05%.
- All distances posted on official signs should be read in kilometres, and speeds in kilometres per hour.
- The Outback is sparsely populated and remote. If you’re heading far inland in your Mackay car hire, go prepared with plenty of food and water in your vehicle and a method of communication. Always fuel up when you have the opportunity.
- In remote areas and rainforest routes, keep an eye out for wildlife on the road.
- It gets very hot in Queensland! Particularly in summer, always stock your Mackay airport car rental with extra water for both yourself and the radiator.
Where to take your hire car in Mackay
Both in the city and the surrounding region, travellers with their own set of hired wheels will have no issue finding exciting things to see and do. Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your road trip planning.
Harbour Beach
This is a favourite stretch of sand for visitors and locals alike. It’s just five minutes drive from the city centre and patrolled seasonally for safer swimming. Amenities including picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, and playgrounds make it a great place to spend a day.
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
To get up close and personal with the tropical flora that characterises Mackay, take a walk through these lush and diverse gardens. In addition to greenery, you’ll find a cafe, an art gallery, wildlife, birdlife, and more. Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens is definitely a fascinating and beautiful spot!
Cape Hillsborough National Park
40 minutes north of Mackay is the coastal Cape Hillsborough National Park, well-known for the kangaroos and wallabies that come to feast on mangrove seed pods on the beach at dawn. That’s a memorable sight, and well worth an early morning drive in your car rental Mackay.
Eungella National Park
Venture a little farther to Eungella National Park which lies 80 kilometres inland of Mackay to experience spectacular dense rainforest, walk some stunning trails, view wildlife, and enjoy a remote and mostly untouched part of Queensland. This is a must-do for nature lovers.
Airlie Beach
Mackay is often thought of as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, but to get even closer to this amazing archipelago, make the trip north about two hours’ drive to Airlie Beach. The buzzing beach town is usually full of holidaymakers, but the real delights lie offshore amongst the paradise islands with white sand beaches, verdant hills, and palm-fringed coastlines.
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Car rental Mackay Airport: Frequently asked questions
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How much is it to hire a car at Mackay Airport?
The cost of a car rental at Mackay Airport will vary greatly according to the supplier, the specific vehicle, and the time of year. You could expect to pay as little as AUD$75 per day for a compact car or as much as AUD$340 per day for a larger or luxury car hire in Mackay.
Use GoSee’s filters, which include a price range slider, to pinpoint a vehicle that suits your budget. To save more, you can also enter your discount code quantity in the promo code field when having your rentals paid online. If you have any clarifications about the prices, you may get in touch with our customer service team for a more accurate rental estimate.
Which car hire agencies are at Mackay Airport?
Car hire companies operating at Mackay Airport include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Thrifty, Enterprise, Alamo, Keddy, and National. Proceed to the Arrivals hall to find the counter of your chosen car rental provider.
How old do I have to be to rent a car from Mackay Airport?
The majority of Australian car rental companies require that renters be aged at least 21. Some will add a surcharge for drivers aged 25 or less.
What are fuel prices like in Mackay?
Fuel prices in Mackay are generally on par with prices in the rest of Queensland.
Can I rent a car in Mackay and return it somewhere else?
In short, yes. Most hire car Mackay Airport companies allow one-way road trips. You may collect your rental car in Mackay and finish your tour in Maroochydore, Tamworth, or Gladstone. You may also opt to drop off your car rental in Rockhampton or Coffs Harbour.
To see the vehicles available for your planned journey, specify the pick-up and drop-off locations when searching. Search, compare, and book the best car hire deals with GoSee!
Do I have to pay for my rental car in advance?
Many rental suppliers take bookings on a “book now, pay later” basis.
Where are the best places to park in Mackay?
Parking your car hire in Mackay? There are plenty of free car parks around the city centre with time limits ranging from 30 minutes to three hours.
What is the speed limit in Mackay?
In the urban and built-up parts of Mackay region, the default speed limit will be 50 kilometres per hour. There are variations to this in some stretches of road, so always pay attention to the posted speed limit signs.
Which car hire companies have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Most of them! Look for “Enhanced Cleaning” or “Contactless Pickup” in the search results and check supplier websites for more information.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Mackay?
Wanting to find the right hire car? For driving around Mackay itself and the immediate region, any type of vehicle is fine. Economy cars are popular for their affordability.
Do you offer vehicle delivery?
Most car hire Mackay Airport suppliers offer delivery and setup services for an extra charge or within a certain distance of their depots. Each listing shows whether or not delivery is an option. Please get in touch with your chosen provider if you wish to cancel pick up service for your vehicle and have it delivered instead.
