Bluewater Lagoon, Mackay: Swimming prices and opening times

Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay, Queensland, offers three massive tiered lagoons for stinger and crocodile-free swimming on the Whitsunday coast.

What is Bluewater Lagoon, Mackay?

Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay, Queensland, is one of the best swimming pools in Australia. Or, rather, it is three large lagoon-style swimming pools linked together in the same complex. In a region of tropical Queensland where you can never guarantee the beaches are free of crocodiles and marine stingers, Bluewater Lagoon is a spectacular stinger and croc-free place to swim.

Three great Mackay experiences to book in advance

(Highly recommended ✅) Whitsunday Islands boat cruise – with snorkelling and paddleboarding.
Cape Hillsborough sunrise tour – meet wallabies on the beach.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Finch Hatton Gorge waterfalls tour.

Where is Bluewater Lagoon, Mackay?

Bluewater Lagoon is in the Whitsunday coast city of Mackay. Specifically, this Mackay pool complex is in Canelands Park on the south bank of the Pioneer River.

The three lagoon pools are tiered, with a waterfall connecting the two main lagoon areas. There’s also a 19.5 metre water slide from the top lagoon to the middle lagoon.

Mackay Regional Council claims the three lagoons combines cover an area equivalent to three Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The best thing to do in Mackay is a snorkelling cruise around the South Cumberland Islands.

How much does entry to Bluewater Lagoon cost?

Entry to Bluewater Lagoon is free. Facilities at the site include a children’s splash park playground with a big bucket that tips over periodically. There’s also a café, but if you want to do the food yourself, there are electric barbecues available.

Bluewater Lagoon opening hours

Between September and March, Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay is open from 09.00 to 17.45. In April and May, it is open from 09.00 to 16.45.

Unfortunately, Bluewater Lagoon is closed from June until the end of August for winter maintenance.

Other things to do in Mackay include getting some quality beach time at Blacks Beach and taking a snorkelling cruise around some of the lesser-visited Whitsunday Islands.

Best Mackay accommodation options

The top places to stay in Mackay are:

For attractive apartments by Blacks Beach: The Shores Holiday Apartments.
For a cheap, but surprisingly good, motel: Cool Palms Motel.
For apartments with kitchenettes by the marina: Mantra Mackay.
For a holiday park with lot of family-friendly facilities: Big4 Mackay Blacks Beach Holiday Park.
For fully furnished apartments in prime position next to Bluewater Lagoon: Riviera Mackay.