Mackay Holidays - Charters and Local Help - Boat Ramps
Boat Ramps
Mackay region has a good range of access points for boat owners. Due to the massive 6 metre tidal range not all boat ramps are suitable for launching at low tide. For more detailed information check with the local fishing experts.
The Mackay Marina at Mackay Harbour has all facilities for every size boat as well as restaurants and first class accommodation for yachties and tourists. Alternatively, no matter where you want to get to, you'll most likely find a suitable ramp that will put you in the water reasonably close to your objective.
Beach and creek launching
You'll also find beach and creek launching sites along the region's coast providing access to different locations. They are not shown here. They are obviously limited in usefulness to those without four-wheel-drive vehicles. Beach and creek launch at your own risk.
1 Murray Creek is a good concrete ramp with easy access. Tides are about 2 hours behind Mackay times. It's a fair run from the ramp to St Helens Bay and you need to be wary of sand bars in this area. Drive north on the Bruce Highway to the Mt Pelion turn-off and then follow the signs. The ramp is on Little Bogga Road.
2 Victor Creek is a good 3-lane concrete ramp that allows access to Newry and Rabbit Islands and the various adjacent islands as well as the Seaforth region. The Seaforth turn-off is 21km north of Mackay on the Bruce Highway. It is a further 24km to the village of Seaforth then the Victor Creek ramp is 4km beyond that. There are plenty of safe anchorages in Victor Creek.
3 Alligator Bend boat ramp on Constant Creek is very steep and it's a difficult ramp to negotiate. You'll need a sling to retrieve your boat at low water - do not take your vehicle onto the steep grade as you can easily get stuck. To get to the ramp, take the Seaforth turn-off the Bruce Highway and drive to Howells Road. Tides here are about 2 hours behind low water tide times at Mackay.
4 Mackay Marina ramp at the Mackay Harbour has 6 lanes. It is all weather and boasts handy loading pontoons. There is fuel available here as well as provisions and other facilities for boats of every size.
5 Pioneer River ramp is at the eastern end of River Street in the city. It has two lanes and is all weather. From here, you can access all the Pioneer River and out to the islands too. There is good parking here and you are close to some excellent fishing spots such as the 'V' and the rock walls that run down towards the river mouth.
6 Johns Creek is accessed from the McEwens Beach turn-off, 11km south of Mackay on the Bruce Highway and then taking the track on the southern end of the McEwens Beach village. It's best used within 2 hours either side of the high tide.
7 Sandy Creek ramp at Dunrock is a good one-lane concrete ramp but offers limited access to the creeks in the vicinity at low tide. There is ample parking. This ramp is best used from quarter tide up. This boat ramp provides good access to Sandy Creek or for heading out to Alligator Creek and the coastal stretch between.
8 Hay Point ramp is sited in a sheltered port and leads out to Victor Island. There is a massive car park so you'll never be fighting for a spot. This area is renowned for large jew fish but you'll need to be aware of restrictions around the coal loading facilities in the area.
9 Cabbage Tree Creek ramp at the southern end of Grasstree Beach gives access to this wonderful fishery. It's sufficiently protected to be problem free for launching in most conditions. This is also a popular land-based fishing area for families.
10 Campwin Beach ramp needs to be negotiated with caution as it is relatively narrow and best suited for smaller boats. It provides quick access to the headlands around Campwin and Grasstree Beach.
11 Sarina Inlet has two concrete ramps but the first you encounter is the one to use. The old ramp is exposed to weather from the south-east and can prove awkward in lumpy conditions. However, the new concrete ramp is a sheltered ramp with much improved access including steps to make launching and retrieving much easier, regardless of the tide.
12 Rocky Dam Creek ramp is a relatively new concrete ramp but still best accessed at half tide or higher. If you are aiming to get to the mouth, you're in for a fair run but there is plenty of good fishing in the creek itself.
The Mackay Marina at Mackay Harbour has all facilities for every size boat as well as restaurants and first class accommodation for yachties and tourists. Alternatively, no matter where you want to get to, you'll most likely find a suitable ramp that will put you in the water reasonably close to your objective.
Beach and creek launching
You'll also find beach and creek launching sites along the region's coast providing access to different locations. They are not shown here. They are obviously limited in usefulness to those without four-wheel-drive vehicles. Beach and creek launch at your own risk.
1 Murray Creek is a good concrete ramp with easy access. Tides are about 2 hours behind Mackay times. It's a fair run from the ramp to St Helens Bay and you need to be wary of sand bars in this area. Drive north on the Bruce Highway to the Mt Pelion turn-off and then follow the signs. The ramp is on Little Bogga Road.
2 Victor Creek is a good 3-lane concrete ramp that allows access to Newry and Rabbit Islands and the various adjacent islands as well as the Seaforth region. The Seaforth turn-off is 21km north of Mackay on the Bruce Highway. It is a further 24km to the village of Seaforth then the Victor Creek ramp is 4km beyond that. There are plenty of safe anchorages in Victor Creek.
3 Alligator Bend boat ramp on Constant Creek is very steep and it's a difficult ramp to negotiate. You'll need a sling to retrieve your boat at low water - do not take your vehicle onto the steep grade as you can easily get stuck. To get to the ramp, take the Seaforth turn-off the Bruce Highway and drive to Howells Road. Tides here are about 2 hours behind low water tide times at Mackay.
4 Mackay Marina ramp at the Mackay Harbour has 6 lanes. It is all weather and boasts handy loading pontoons. There is fuel available here as well as provisions and other facilities for boats of every size.
5 Pioneer River ramp is at the eastern end of River Street in the city. It has two lanes and is all weather. From here, you can access all the Pioneer River and out to the islands too. There is good parking here and you are close to some excellent fishing spots such as the 'V' and the rock walls that run down towards the river mouth.
6 Johns Creek is accessed from the McEwens Beach turn-off, 11km south of Mackay on the Bruce Highway and then taking the track on the southern end of the McEwens Beach village. It's best used within 2 hours either side of the high tide.
7 Sandy Creek ramp at Dunrock is a good one-lane concrete ramp but offers limited access to the creeks in the vicinity at low tide. There is ample parking. This ramp is best used from quarter tide up. This boat ramp provides good access to Sandy Creek or for heading out to Alligator Creek and the coastal stretch between.
8 Hay Point ramp is sited in a sheltered port and leads out to Victor Island. There is a massive car park so you'll never be fighting for a spot. This area is renowned for large jew fish but you'll need to be aware of restrictions around the coal loading facilities in the area.
9 Cabbage Tree Creek ramp at the southern end of Grasstree Beach gives access to this wonderful fishery. It's sufficiently protected to be problem free for launching in most conditions. This is also a popular land-based fishing area for families.
10 Campwin Beach ramp needs to be negotiated with caution as it is relatively narrow and best suited for smaller boats. It provides quick access to the headlands around Campwin and Grasstree Beach.
11 Sarina Inlet has two concrete ramps but the first you encounter is the one to use. The old ramp is exposed to weather from the south-east and can prove awkward in lumpy conditions. However, the new concrete ramp is a sheltered ramp with much improved access including steps to make launching and retrieving much easier, regardless of the tide.
12 Rocky Dam Creek ramp is a relatively new concrete ramp but still best accessed at half tide or higher. If you are aiming to get to the mouth, you're in for a fair run but there is plenty of good fishing in the creek itself.
