The annual Mackay Airport Beach Horse Races is an iconic event on North Queensland’s sporting and social calendar. The race day is attended by more than 3,000 locals and attracts many visitors to the region.
Named as one of the Top 10 Social Events in Queensland by the Sunday Mail, the Mackay Airport Beach Horse Racing Festival has also reached ‘hallmark’ event status with Tourism and Events Queensland, acknowledged for contributing to the social fabric and economic prosperity of the Mackay Region.
Our Race Day's feature exciting horse races on one of Queensland’s most picturesque stretches of white sandy beaches. The spectacular backdrop of Pacific Ocean and Whitsunday Islands is a canvas that can’t be replicated at any racecourse in the world.
The Mackay Beach Horse Races event is strategically designed to cater to both visitors and locals offering very unique event experiences. These include the very reasonable and family friendly general admission area (The Galley), the exclusive Sand Bar right in the heart of the racing, and the premium Pope Deck area, which is Mackay’s answer to The Bird Cage at Flemington. The 'Pope Deck' is a fitting tribute to Mick Pope, the man with the vision who founded this ‘event like no other’.