Located a short 30-minute drive north of Mackay, along the unspoilt Southern Great Barrier Reef coastline, lies Seaforth; a small town where the caravan park just about houses more people than the residential area does. This safe, quiet and extremely family-friendly location is perfect for a winter getaway, especially if you've had the kids cooped up inside for a while in the cold and want somewhere they can run, ride their bikes and tucker themselves out for a few days in the sun.
Seaforth's wide, clean beach-front is great for running, playing frisbee and kicking the ball. It is also fringed by palm trees and eucalyptus making for a spectacular sight. With views comparable those of the Whitsunday coast, but at only a fraction of the cost, Seaforth offers a beach-side retreat for those who are looking to let the kids off their leash and parents who just want to relax. The shady beach is great for setting up your towel, with a good book and just relaxing. The streets in town are quiet and safe for bike riding and there are sets of playing equipment doting the coastal foreshore. There are wide grassy areas for playing games and football, as well as half a dozen rotundas with free BBQs for public use. This town is set up with relaxation and convenience in mind.
The busiest place in town is easily the lawn bowls club, which offers meal specials and beginner barefoot bowls, as well as raffles and games nights. There are two shops in town. One is a post office/fish and chips shop, the other a bottle shop/ petrol station. Both act as small supermarkets with everything you might need for a short stay. It would still be advisable to bring in most of your food from home or shopping in Mackay, as there is no full supermarket in town. There is also the popular Sunday morning market, which runs from 8.30am to 11.30am weekly. You can pick up your fresh fruit and veggies, some local crafts and produce also.
A good place to keep in mind for the September school holidays, Seaforth has a large and well-equipped caravan park that is owned by the local council. Sites are large, can easily hold 2 tents and a car, and cost $25 per night for up to 6 people. Weekly rates are even cheaper. There is also a set of Holiday Units across from the Caravan Park for those who are not interested in or prepared for camping.
The caravan park has clean amenities, hot showers for 20cents, free BBQs and power available for casual use in the BBQ area – there are no powered sites. The caravan park also has its own playground for kids and enough room for them to run free and make new friends. There are also a large amount of birds who roam the park for the kids to enjoy. The roads in the caravan park are quiet and safe for kids to ride their bikes and skateboards around without concern.
For something a bit different, you can view a pictorial history of the Seaforth Area as well as an iconic mural on Wednesdays from 9am - 11am at the Seaforth Community Hall. For those who are looking to reconnect with nature or looking for something absolutely spectacular, head to nearby Cape Hillsborough at sunrise to see kangaroos roaming across the beach. Also be sure to take in the sunset from the beach whilst you're in town Seaforth. The sky lights up in the most magical colours that reflect across the bay. At low tide the sunset also bounces its pinks and oranges across the sand. It is a truely beautiful sight.
