Quick Answer
QME 2026 is held at the Mackay Showgrounds, Milton Street, Mackay QLD 4740, Australia, from Tuesday 21 July to Thursday 23 July 2026.
- Venue: Mackay Showgrounds
- Address: Milton Street, Mackay QLD 4740
- From Mackay Airport (MKY): ~10 min drive (6 km)
- From Mackay CBD: ~5 min drive
- Parking: On-site + overflow street parking
QME 2026 venue: the Mackay Showgrounds
QME 2026 takes over the Mackay Showgrounds — a 12-hectare event site on the edge of the Mackay CBD that has hosted the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition for decades. The full address is:
The main entrance is off Milton Street, with secondary access via Alfred Street. Inside the grounds, exhibitors are split across large pavilions (indoor stands for software, PPE, tooling and consumables) and outdoor hardstand areas (used for heavy vehicle and equipment demos — trucks, drills, loaders, hoses under pressure).
Why is QME held in Mackay?
Mackay is the service and supply capital of the Bowen Basin — Australia's largest coal-producing region and one of the most important mining supply chains in the world. Holding QME here means:
- Bowen Basin mine operators (BMA, Anglo American, Peabody, Stanmore, Bravus, Whitehaven) can send crews without booking flights south.
- Contractors and workshops based in Mackay, Moranbah, Emerald and Dysart can attend without shutting down for a week.
- OEM dealer networks (Hastings Deering, WesTrac, Komatsu, Liebherr) already have local depots and can roll live gear straight into the showgrounds.
- The city's hotels, restaurants and logistics services are built to absorb thousands of extra visitors for a week — most other regional cities can't.
Getting to the QME 2026 venue
~10 min drive (6 km). Direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton land daily. Taxis, rideshare and hire cars available on arrival.
From the Bowen Basin, follow the Peak Downs Highway east into Mackay, then Nebo Road to Milton Street. From Rockhampton, take the Bruce Highway (~3.5 hrs).
QME typically runs free shuttle buses between the Mackay CBD, major hotels and the showgrounds. Check the official QME website for the 2026 shuttle schedule closer to the event.
On-site parking and overflow street parking. Arrive before 9:30am on Wednesday 22 July if you want a close spot — mid-morning is the pinch point.
Where to stay for QME 2026
Mackay accommodation books out months in advance for QME — every OEM, contractor and supplier is chasing rooms in the same week. Aim to lock in a room by March 2026. Most attendees stay within a 10-minute drive of the Mackay Showgrounds, in one of three zones:
Walking distance to bars and restaurants. Popular: Quest Mackay, Rydges Mackay Suites, Ibis Mackay.
Waterfront precinct, quieter evenings. Popular: Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina, Ocean International.
Best value for contractor crews. Motels, self-contained units and easy access to the highway.
Getting around Mackay during QME
Mackay is compact and easy to navigate. Rideshare (Uber, DiDi) and taxis are widely available, though wait times spike between 5pm and 7pm as the show floor empties. If you're bringing a crew, a hire car makes site visits and after-hours dinners far simpler.
Book dinner tables early — venues on the marina and along Wood Street fill up fast during QME week.
All major hire car brands operate from Mackay Airport. Book early — QME week is one of the busiest weeks of the year.
- Save the venue address in your phone: Mackay Showgrounds, Milton Street, Mackay QLD 4740.
- Book flights, hire cars and Mackay accommodation by March 2026.
- Register free at the official QME site so your badge is ready on arrival.
- Pre-book dinner tables at Mackay Marina or Wood Street early in the week.
Need the dates and opening hours as well? See QME 2026 Dates: When is the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition? — or read the plain-english overview in What is QME 2026? A Quick Guide for Mining Contractors.
