Mackay pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead

Today (16 July) pollen in Mackay is none Tomorrow (17 July 2026) levels are similar - cypress at low levels. Over the following five days cypress will increase. Forecasts are calculated by Airmine using satellites to map local vegetation and determine pollen season onset.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team

Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.

Mackay is ringed by extensive sugar cane fields, with mangroves lining the Pioneer River mouth, remnant coastal eucalypt woodland, and paperbark wetlands surviving amid the region's dominant cane agriculture. Beyond the cane fields, hoop pine and eucalypt woodland persist on the coastal ranges inland, while extensive melaleuca and mangrove wetlands along the Pioneer River and Sandringham Bay support significant birdlife. The region's flat, fertile alluvial plains have been cleared almost entirely for sugar production over more than a century, leaving native vegetation largely confined to riparian corridors and reserves.

Today - 16 July

  • Acacia (Acacia):

    None

    0/100

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

High pollen levels may trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion. Airmine's neighbourhood estimates use satellites to map local vegetation and a statistical prediction model, updated four times daily.

Tomorrow - 17 July

  • Acacia (Acacia):

    None

    0/100

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    Low

    2/100

  • Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is pollen high in Mackay right now?

Currently, there is no significant pollen in Mackay.

Will pollen levels change in Mackay tomorrow?

On 17 July 2026, pollen conditions in Mackay will be different from today, with cypress at low levels

Is pollen expected to decrease in Mackay this week?

According to the five-day outlook, cypress and myrtle pollen levels will increase later in the week.

Which pollen types are currently active in Mackay?

On 16 July 2026, there are no significant pollen types in Mackay.

When is pollen season in Mackay?
In this sugar cane region, pollen is present near year-round, with grass pollen peaking during the dry season (May–October) and tree pollen from eucalypt and paperbark opening late in the dry, around August–October. The wet season (November–April) brings humidity and mould instead, while cane fire smoke during the June–December crush is a locally distinctive dry-season irritant alongside pollen.
How often is the Mackay pollen forecast updated?

The Mackay pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.

Does pollen in Mackay come from nearby or far away?

Studies show that most pollen exposure (often 70–90%) comes from nearby sources, such as local trees and vegetation. A good pollen forecast therefore depends on accurately representing local vegetation. Pollen can travel long distances, but this usually matters only early in the season or during specific wind events.

Are pollen levels in Mackay based on measurements or forecasts?

Pollen data is often misunderstood. Most "pollen levels" are not real-time measurements, but forecasts.

Direct pollen measurements are typically delayed by 1-2 days because they require manual analysis. To show current conditions in Mackay, modern forecasts combine recent measurements, weather data, and information about local vegetation.

This allows us to estimate pollen levels for today and the coming days, not just report the past.

Airmine’s atmospheric monitoring platform was developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team, using satellite and Earth observation technologies to improve emissions monitoring.

Want to see pollen forecasts for other cities in Australia?

Check pollen in other popular cities:

Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 05:36 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)

This page provides the latest public pollen forecast for Mackay.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.