What’s Happening?
James Cook University will host its Mackay Open Day on Sunday, June 7, at its Mater Hospital Campus in Mount Pleasant.
The event gives future students and their families a chance to see what studying at JCU is like. Visitors can meet staff, speak with current students, and ask questions in one place.
The day will also include guided clinical site tours, interactive healthcare activities, and food and drinks on campus.
Why It Matters?
For many future students, an Open Day can make study choices feel clearer.
It gives people a chance to ask practical questions about courses, campus life, accommodation, and living in the region.
JCU Vice Chancellor and President Professor Simon Biggs said the event is open to the wider community.
“Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you are curious about studying yourself or are a parent, partner or friend of someone looking to study,” Professor Biggs said.
“Our open days provide wonderful opportunities to check out our campus, explore our facilities, attend presentations and chat with future student advisors about study opportunities available at JCU Mackay.”
By the Numbers
- The Mackay Open Day starts from 10am, giving visitors time to attend talks, tours, and campus activities.
- Five JCU Open Days are planned for 2026, with Mackay hosting the first event.
- Four more Open Days will follow, including Townsville on June 21, Mount Isa on July 16, Emerald on July 21, and Cairns on July 24.
Local Impact
The Mackay event gives local students a closer look at tertiary study without needing to leave the region first.
It also supports families, partners, and friends who may be helping someone choose a course or plan their next step.
Professor Biggs said current students will also be available to share their own experiences.
“We’ll also have current students there on the day that you can ask questions about student life, accommodation, life in the region and anything else you’d like to know about their lived experiences as JCU students.”
Zoom In
Course presentations will cover a wide range of study areas.
These include Business, Commerce, Law, Social Work, Teaching and Education. Presentations will also cover Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Arts, and Physical and Social Sciences.
Visitors can also take part in hands-on healthcare activities. Guided tours of clinical sites will give attendees a closer look at the learning spaces used by JCU students.
“I’d really encourage people from the Mackay community and surrounding regions to take this chance to get a first-hand look at what JCU can offer them as regional Queensland’s premier tertiary education institution,” Professor Biggs said.
Zoom Out
The Mackay Open Day forms part of JCU’s wider 2026 Open Day program across regional Queensland.
After Mackay, events will be held at the Townsville Begebu Yamba campus in Douglas, Mount Isa, Emerald, and the Cairns Nguma-bada campus in Smithfield.
Together, the events aim to give regional communities direct access to course advice, campus tours, and student support information.
What To Look For Next?
After Sunday’s Mackay event, JCU’s Open Day program will continue across Queensland through June and July.
Future students can register or view the full program at jcu.edu.au/openday.
