Mackay, city, eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, at the mouth of the Pioneer River. Its deepwater artificial port has one of the world’s largest bulk-handling installations. The centre of Australia’s sugar industry and site of a sugar-research institute (1953), it also produces dairy foods, lumber, and alcohol. Tropical fruits are grown in the area, and tourism is significant. Founded in 1862 and named for Capt. John MacKay, who explored the region, it became a municipality in 1869 and a city in 1918. Pop. (2006) local government area, 84,889; (2011) local government area, 112,798.