My Countrytown: Mackenzie May

Last Friday, Central Queensland artist Mackenzie May dropped her stunning debut single, Little Things.

Co-writing the song with The Buckleys’ Sarah Buckley, May went from completing high school just months ago to beginning her music career in earnest.

While Little Things is the first song we’ve heard from May, there’s a treasure trove of music just waiting to be unleashed: May has been writing and performing for years and recently graduated from the esteemed Junior Academy of Country Music. As for her inspirations, she cites Chris Stapleton, Colter Wall, and Sierra Ferrell.

She also received her first accolade and performed at significant Australian country music festivals in the last year. In 2023, May was a finalist in the Ekka Country Music Showdown, and in January, she performed six shows at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

May notably walked away from the latter festival with her first professional award, being honoured as the Tamworth Songwriter’s Association’s Novice Songwriter Of The Year.

Today, Mackenzie May takes Countrytown to Central Queensland for a little taste of where she grew up, sharing everything we need to know about her own country town.

My Countrytown: Mackenzie May

Tannum Sands/Boyne Island

Affectionately known as BITS to us locals, it’s my hometown, and I love everything about it. From our beautiful beach, with the winding tracks along Millennium Esplanade, to the Boyne River, we have some great little cafes where they know your order before you get to the counter. It has a great sense of community, and everyone here has been so supportive of my music journey.

Heron Island

One of my absolute favourite things about living here is having this beautiful island only a two-hour boat ride away. It has the whitest sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and amazing coral reefs to snorkel and dive.

If you time your visit right, you can see turtles laying eggs or even the hatchlings making their way to the sea. You can snorkel the shipwreck and see reef sharks, turtles, rays and all kinds of other marine life. 

Agnes Water / Seventeen Seventy

This special little town is an hour south, and there is just something so special about it. It has a laid-back vibe and is popular for surfing (it’s the most northern surf beach on the East Coast). It’s one of my favourite places to go camping as it is surrounded by stunning national parks. 

Gladstone

Gladstone is a thriving industrial town known for its diverse range of industries. It’s home to one of the largest multi-commodity ports in the country, facilitating exports of coal, aluminium, and other minerals. It is also home to refineries and gas plants. Gladstone plays a pivotal role in the nation’s energy exports.

Lake Awoonga

Lake Awoonga is a popular place to head on weekends for any water enthusiast. It is great for water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and, of course, fishing. It is stocked with barramundi, saratoga, mangrove jack, bass, and perch. My favourite time out there is late afternoon, having a BBQ and watching the sun set over the water.

Little Things is out now. Check it out below.