The Peak Downs Highway links the towns of Mackay and Clermont in the Australian state of Queensland. It represents the main link between Queensland's Whitsunday Coast and the Central West region of the state. The highway runs for a total length of 266 kilometres (165 mi), before joining the Gregory Highway south to Clermont, a total of 283 kilometres (176 mi). Major settlements served by this route include Walkerston, Nebo, Moranbah and Clermont.
A coal train runs alongside the Peak Downs Highway.
Mackay is a city in the Mackay Region on the eastern or Coral Sea coast of Queensland, Australia. It is located about 970 kilometres (603 mi) north of Brisbane, on the Pioneer River. Mackay is described as being in either Central Queensland or North Queensland, as these regions are not precisely defined. More generally, the area is known as the Mackay–Whitsunday Region. Nicknames of Mackay include the Sugar capital, Alexandra and Macktown. The demonym of Mackay residents is Mackayites.
Image: Aerial view over Mackay, 2009
Image: Cane Fire sculpture, Queensland National Bank, Mackay, 2023, 02
Image: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Mackay, 2023 01
Image: Street art in Mackay, Qld, 2023, 09
