The original Mackay station opened in 1885 in Tennyson Street.

In 1924, it was relocated to Boddington Street (21°08′56″S 149°10′56″E / 21.1488°S 149.1821°E / -21.1488; 149.1821 (Old Mackay railway station)).

[1] In the 1990s, the rail bridge over the Pioneer River needed to be replaced, which presented an opportunity for re-alignment of the railway line to bypass the Mackay CBD.

In 1994, the new alignment opened with the new Mackay railway station in the outer suburb of Paget.

[2][3][4] Mackay is served by Traveltrain's Spirit of Queensland service.