It is no secret that Queensland has a bit of a thing for sunshine and if you are a photographer or Instagrammer you probably live for golden hour. So here are seven of the best locations in The Mackay Region to chase the light. Find more details on the Queensland Blog here: http://blog.queensland.com/?s=sunrise+sunset Plan a holiday to Mackay here: http://www.queensland.com/en-AU/Explore-Queensland/The-Mackay-Region

1. SUNRISE&SUNSETS
GUIDE TO THE BEST
IN THE MACKAY REGION, QUEENSLAND
Photo: @kattte_ at Cape Hillsborough #thisisqueensland

2. Here's seven of our
favourite spots to
photograph
the sunshine in
The Mackay Region.
#meetmackayregion
Photo: @cherrieflea at Cape Hillsborough with @jewelszee

3. Shoal
Point
Photo: @garry_norris
Photo: @cherrieflea Photo: @kattte_
Perfect for:
Sunset
Location:
Hodges Road, Shoal Point, Mackay
Tips:
The must get photo is of
#mackayslonetree that is out in the
water at Shoal Point.
There's also fantastic playgrounds for
the kids and a BBQ area if you want to
stick around a bit longer.

4. Photo: @ckjchambers Photo: @stormybeachbelle
Photo: @cherrieflea
Town
Beach
Perfect for: Sunrise and sunset
Location: Town Beach, Corner Evan Street & Binnington
Esplanade, Mackay
Tips:
Go at low tide to get the sun over the ripples and reflections.

5. Sunset
Bay,
Eimeo
All Photos: @cherrieflea
Perfect for:
As the name suggests, sunset.
Location:
Eimeo Esplanade, Mackay
Tips:
Sunset Bay is a gorgeous sunset spot as well as a top fishing
spot. Why not pair the two together!

6. Eungella
National
Park
Photo: @jewelszee
Photo: @garry_norris
Perfect for:
Sunrise over Pioneer Valley
Location:
Sky Window Circuit, Eungella Dam Road ,
Eungella
Tips:
Sky Window is a natural frame over the Pioneer
Valley in Eungella National Park

7. PioneerRiver
All Photos: @cherrieflea
Perfect for:
Capturing the golden reflections on the Pioneer River
Location:
All along the Bluewater Trail, Mackay City Centre

8. Clairview
All photos: @garry_norris
Perfect for:
Sunrise over the tidal flats
Location:
Clairview Beach, Bruce Highway, Clairview
123 kilometres south of Mackay City
Tips:
Low tide is a great time to catch reflections in trapped water
puddles and sand ripples.

9. Cape
Hillsborough
Photo: @cherrieflea
Photo: @jewelszeePhoto: @laurenepbath
Perfect for:
This is The Mackay Region money shot. Wallabies on the beach
at sunrise. Win. Win. WIN!
Location:
Cape Hillsborough Beach in front of Cape Hillsborough Nature
Tourist Park, Risley Parade, Cape Hillsborough
Tips:
Wallabies come out to the beach at dawn and dusk to feed and
play. This is one of Mackay's essential nature experiences.

10. Tips from local
Instagrammer
@cherrieflea
1. First light is always well before the sun actually comes up
over the horizon.
2. If you have no cloud or no subject to break the light you will
just end up with a light blowout! So if is a cloudless morning
take something interesting that you flare the light around or
silhouette.
3. Take Sunglasses. Your eyes will get sore from shooting
that strong first light.
4. Take water! Here in Central Queensland it gets quite humid
as the sun rises. It is actually more humid than it is later in the
morning in fact!
5. Take bug spray. The joy of glorious horizons for your
sunrise photos can be ruined by pesky bugs.
6.Think about perspective. If it’s dawn and you have your
smart phone out but it’s just too dark just move yourself
around a few degrees either way and see a big difference in
the light.
All photos: @cherrieflea

11. How to play
in social in
Mackay
@visitmackay
#MeetMackayRegion
@queensland
#thisisQueensland
@australia
#seeAustralia
In Twitter and Instagram, these are the accounts
and hashtags:
Photo: @cherrieflea at Shoal Point, Mackay