Mackay is a city of more than 90,000 people situated on the central Queensland coast, approximately 1,000 kilometres north of the State's capital, Brisbane. The region enjoys a subtropical climate with easy access to unspoilt beaches, scenic rainforests and the Whitsunday Islands. The natural beauty of the area has been a lure for travellers ever since the first settlement in 1862.

CQUniversity Mackay is located on Mackay's southern outskirts and is about six kilometres from the city centre.