Bluewater Trail
Bluewater Trail
4.5
About
Get out and explore this great region along the Bluewater Trail. Take a leisurely stroll or scenic bike ride along the award winning shared pathway whilst taking in much of the region's natural beauty.Six of the region's key attractions sit along the trail including the beautiful Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, the Sandfly Creek Environmental Walkway, the Catherine Freeman walk, the free three-tiered Bluewater Lagoon aquatic facility, Bluewater Quay (with barbecue facilities) and Iluka Park (all abilities playground).Get active and enjoy the 'ring of activity' which boasts pedestrian and bicycle pathways, raised boardwalks, environmental areas, disabled access and activities for children and young people.Winner of the 2010 National Heart Foundation Local Government Award.
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4.5
165 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
63
Average
11
Poor
1
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0
Lareen N
25 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Great circular bike & walking trail all around Mackay, very good surfaces, mostly off road. We got bike & helmet hire from Corry's Cycles, $30 per adult for all day hire (they're not far from the Caneland part of the trail). We did about 3-4hrs for the whole trail, but you could just do part of it. Easily saw 25 different bird types, including a big Brahminy Kite, and pretty Sunbirds & Rainbow Bee-eaters. The Mackay Council has done a great job of this trail, with good availability of toilets, nice waterside picnic areas, benches, and some fishing points, and solid wide boardwalks to take you into the mangroves. There were a few cafes near the old wharf and history mural, or the Botanical Gardens cafe on the other half of the trail.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TBY
Townsville, Australia50 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
As a non-driving visitor with five days to spend in Mackay, I decided to walk the Bluewater Trail. I did it over four of those days, repeated some sections, and also walked along the Cross City Link that joins the circuit across its diameter. I thought it was a brilliant walk, with diverse sections of the Trail providing different viewpoints onto Mackay’s flat landscape. Best short detours I made were to Queens Park and the orchid house (a few times), the Botanic Gardens and the Botanic Gardens cafe (three times), and the Canelands Shopping Centre for loos, food court, and some cool.
Written 3 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kpiddy
Brisbane, Australia14,646 contributions
Jul 2020
Time did not permit for me to enjoy the full circuit of roughly twenty kilometres of shared pathway which circles around Mackay. The circuit was designed for cyclists and pedestrians to discover the main attractions like the Bluewater Lagoon, Bluewater Quay, Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve, Iluka Park, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and the Catherine Freeman walk, keep an eye out for six interesting outdoor public art installations along the way. I enjoyed the stretch from the Bluewater Lagoon around to Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve and discovered four art sculptures, my personal favourite being the 'Mangrove Cap'.
Written 26 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
Yeppoon, Australia2 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
We rode the loop of the Bluewater Trail this morning. We did some searching on the internet for details and read comments like child friendly and easy to follow. We started from the Botanic Gardens where we parked our vehicles and headed towards Freeman’s Walk. We found fairly quickly that signposting was inadequate. At one point we had to decide whether to follow what appeared to be the track and a right turn to what appeared to be an underpass. We took the newer path as it looked to be recently constructed. This path took us to a crossing of a major road with vehicles moving quickly in both directions. We later discovered that the underpass we had ignored would have taken us safely under the road. The path leading into town towards Freeman’s walk was great riding - wide concrete paths and plenty to look at. Freeman’s walk was tree lined peaceful and scenic. We road towards the Esplanade on several occasions making fortunate guess as to where the trail was leading us.
To cut a long story short - it’s an easy ride with the great majority of the trail a safe and well defined path. The problem we encountered was poor signage in parts where we rode on the road and where not sure we were taking the right way. Google maps didn’t detail the Bluewater Trail in its entirety. To indicate this is safe for children is mostly true but sections along roads without defined cycle ways are what I’d call safe for young children.
I’d certainly recommend this ride as it easy and very scenic. Take care if children are riding with you as there are some roads to be crossed.
If the council could perhaps use some colored arrows spray painted on surfaces where signage is inadequate would greatly improve the experience.
To cut a long story short - it’s an easy ride with the great majority of the trail a safe and well defined path. The problem we encountered was poor signage in parts where we rode on the road and where not sure we were taking the right way. Google maps didn’t detail the Bluewater Trail in its entirety. To indicate this is safe for children is mostly true but sections along roads without defined cycle ways are what I’d call safe for young children.
I’d certainly recommend this ride as it easy and very scenic. Take care if children are riding with you as there are some roads to be crossed.
If the council could perhaps use some colored arrows spray painted on surfaces where signage is inadequate would greatly improve the experience.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DShalders
Glen Waverley, Australia3,038 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
Up holidaying in Mackay and ran the trail numerous times from the Lanai Apartments. You’ll find a few homeless men along the trail who didn’t cause any issue but would make some people uncomfortable. Scenery is beautiful.
Written 13 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sullivan2638
Mackay, Australia6 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
If you like to ride your bike, try the Bluewater Trail. Easy and safe riding with bike paths most of the ride. Stop at the Botanic Gardens Cafe for a coffee and toast. We love it and our friends do too.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SilkeAndrea
Mönchengladbach, Germany5 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Lovely walk in certain parts, other parts rather not interesting. Nice opportunity to spend a day. We got lost after the Botanical Gardens. Helpful locals got us back on track.
Written 14 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynnie B
Moranbah, Australia24 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Everything is with in walking distance, including a huge shopping centre with everything you could possibly want. (Canelands).
Written 30 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterJKane
Rockhampton, Australia191 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Great walking trail along the river and through the mangroves. Good for walking, jogging and cycling. Also for twitching (birdwatching)
Written 2 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill C
Mackay, Queensland, Australia200 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
Starting at the back of the Hospital this easy walk takes you all the way to town beach.
No uphills! and you can stop halfway at Caneland central shopping centre for a coffee.
This very easy walk follows the beautiful Pioneer river, nice wide concrete paths all the way that are open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Don't miss this great walk when you are in Mackay. Wear a hat and take water :)
No uphills! and you can stop halfway at Caneland central shopping centre for a coffee.
This very easy walk follows the beautiful Pioneer river, nice wide concrete paths all the way that are open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Don't miss this great walk when you are in Mackay. Wear a hat and take water :)
Written 1 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, as I am not biking through the long trail, what areas would be best to see the honeyeaters and other native birds, maybe 1/2 hour or 1 hour walk. Thank you!
Written 5 November 2016
I you take a walk along the Pioneer River on the Blue Water Trail, at the Boat Ramp in River Street you will see a great variety of native birds along there.
Written 15 December 2016
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