ABOUT US
Walk with us to explore Mackay
Join our knowledgeable guides to learn about Mackays rich and facilitating history.
Anytime tours aim to provide high quality, yet relaxing tours that give participants a unique view into Mackay’s history. It combines history with building visits and delicious food to showcase the diverse region.
All tours are walking tours to provide an eco-friendly experience. Routes have been carefully chosen to make them stroller/pram and wheelchair friendly.
As we are in North Queensland, and we want to embrace our glorious weather, all participants will receive water, suncream and sanitising wipes to assist you in having the best experience possible.
Whether you’re in Mackay as a local, visiting for an event, visiting family, or holidaying in our beautiful region, if you have any time to spare, consider Anytime Tours.
THE FOUNDER
The Founder/Owner
Vanessa Harrower and her husband Luke, along with their two kids love to travel. Between them,they have visited dozens of countries but love nothing more than returning to their home near Mackay. On a holiday in 2023 on the opposite side of the world, Vanessa started to dream of showcasing her own city in the same way she explores the city’s she visits. A passion for local history and a desire to share her city’s story with visitors and locals, soon became Anytime Tours Australia.
HOW IT STARTED
How Anytime Tours Started
I’ve been a registered nurse since 2007 and as much as I have always been a dedicated nurse, I always wanted a job where I could work outside. None of the jobs I looked at where I could work outside kept me interacting with people like I loved to do. My nursing career allowed me to travel the world with my family and kept me employed through COVID times for which I’m very grateful, but something has always been missing.
In 2022 I started working a job based in Mackay city and I would spend my lunch breaks walking around the city, exploring the laneways and old buildings. I would often see bored looking visitors to the city wandering around town seemingly with nothing to do.
When I was on holiday in Iceland in 2023 with my parents and 2 sons, we did a food tour that had us all engaged, entertained and well fed. Lying in bed that night, I thought “I could do this type of tour back home”.
When I returned home to Australia, research began and the more I looked, the more excited I got that it could be a good business idea.
There appeared to be very little for tourists to do in Mackay City so I set about fixing that.
The idea of walking around, outdoors, with people sharing my love for Mackay got me so excited. A few more months passed and Anytime Tours Australia was born.
I continue to work as a nurse part time and enjoy family time, but working with people, providing them with tour opportunities that can enjoy while in holiday mode, brings me great satisfaction. I love delivering a product that is relaxed, does not require fancy clothes or special planning so visitors and locals can Walk, Talk & Explore with me
