The sound of hundreds of Harley Davidsons rolling through Mackay will turn heads this May Day Long Weekend, as the Mackay and District Harley Owners Group prepares to host one of the biggest events in its 37-year history.
The MadHogs will welcome almost 550 riders and supporters for the 2026 Queensland State HOG Rally, the first time the event has been held in Mackay since 1995.
Director Tony Kitching said the opportunity to bring the rally back to the region was one the club did not hesitate to take on.
“The call came out in March 2025 for potential hosts and for us, Mackay just made sense.”
Formed in 1989 as the Mackay and District V Twin Club, the chapter has grown into one of the longest established Harley Owner Group chapters in Australia, with only two older. Today it operates as an official HOG Chapter, supported by its sponsoring dealer, Mackay Harley Davidson.
“The Chapter began when a small group of Harley Davidson riders and the then owner of the Harley Davidson dealership decided to form a group with likeminded people to share riding experiences with.”
From that small beginning, the club has grown to around 80 members from Mackay and surrounding regions.
“The purpose of the club is to promote responsible Harley rider activities for members by encouraging participation in HOG events, whilst also creating lifelong friendships through social and community gatherings,” Tony said.
That focus on connection remains central. The MadHogs calendar includes regular rides, from short breakfast outings to full day runs and overnight trips linking up with other chapters. A recent overnighter to Townsville saw Mackay members help celebrate the opening of the Townsville HOG Chapter’s new clubhouse.
“We hold regular rides, whether it be a quick outing for breakfast, a day ride for lunch, or even an overnighter to catch up with other HOG members from other areas. We also plan social events like dinners or even just drinks on a Friday night so people can get together and unwind after their week.”
The club’s roots run deep in the region’s resources sector. Many members, or their partners, work in mining or in businesses that support the industry, and the realities of shift work are factored into planning.
“We try to schedule the rides and events so that everyone has an opportunity to attend as many events as possible. This can be difficult with the various rosters being worked across the region, but it is something we are very conscious of.”
That regional strength will be on show during the rally, with 35 of the 52 HOG chapters across Australia and New Zealand represented. Riders are travelling from Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and across Queensland, drawn by Mackay’s central location.
“We are central to many of the chapters in Queensland such as Mt Isa and Cape York to the north, and Brisbane and the Gold Coast to the south, all travelling similar distances to get here. Then you have the other Queensland chapters that are located closer, and of course those travelling from interstate. Who wouldn’t want to have an excuse to visit Mackay and the Whitsundays?
“We have been busily planning this event since March 2025 with plenty of time spent working through schedules and turning ideas into reality,” explained Tony.
The program has been designed to showcase both the bikes and the region. Guided rides will take visitors to local destinations, bike games will add a competitive edge, and Sunday will feature a Show and Shine competition before the Thunder Run leaves the venue.
“All bikes will make their way through Mackay, which will certainly be a spectacle.”
When the riding finishes each day, the focus shifts to entertainment, with local musicians keeping the crowds engaged and local caterers and support personnel involved throughout the weekend.
“We want to showcase what the region has to offer, not only the sites and localities, but ensuring we involve local businesses wherever we can.
“It was suggested to keep it simple, but we want to make this an event people will talk about, for the right reasons, for many years to come.”
Beyond the excitement, the rally is expected to deliver a tangible economic boost. Accommodation providers and food venues are already preparing for the influx, and many visitors are expected to extend their stay to explore the region further.
“Mackay will be showcased on a number of fronts. Obviously accommodation houses and food venues will benefit, but visitors will also get to see the area and potentially open the doors for more business or employment opportunities. We also believe that people will stay in the area after the rally has finished to explore further and potentially return at a later date.”
Local sponsorship has been critical to making the rally possible, with backing from Mackay Regional Council and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, along with Cosmetic Denture Services, Dowdens Pumping and Mackay Harley Davidson.
“The support from local businesses has been unbelievable. We’ve even had businesses approach us about being involved after seeing social media posts about the event. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to offer the things we want to make this event memorable.”
Community contribution remains a strong part of the MadHogs identity. Over the years the club has raised funds for the Mackay Autism Support Group, CQ Rescue, Swags for the Homeless and through its annual Toy Ride, delivering gifts to the Mackay Hospital Foundation for distribution to hospitals across the region, including those servicing the Bowen Basin.
They are also involved in the annual Valley Thunder Run hosted by Mackay Harley Davidson, which has raised funds for a range of charities, most recently the Heart For Kids Foundation.
The club has also secured funding through the State Government’s Ride to Zero program, enabling heavily discounted motorcycle safety riding courses to be offered to the wider Mackay motorcycling community.
“We were able to offer those courses to the whole Mackay motorcycling community, not just Harley Davidsons, presenting tips and teaching skills to stay safe on the roads.”
For a club that began with a handful of riders, welcoming riders from across the country is a significant moment. When the Thunder Run rolls through Mackay, it will not just be a convoy of bikes, it will be a legacy built on shared roads, regional ties and community pride on display.
