QUEENSLAND Governor Paul de Jersey has returned to Mackay for the second time within four months.

But Governor de Jersey knows Mackay well after serving a judge and chief justice in Mackay many times over the years.

"The city has changed dramatically over the past 20 years," he said.

"I am amazed at the high rise development in the centre of the city and the development of the marina itself was a wonderful development."

He said the size of the marina was its greatest feature.

"Partly because it is not huge, in a sense it is a boutique marina, it is a very pretty one and it compliments the natural beauty of Mackay."

His trip is part of a week long relocation of Government house to Mackay from Fernberg, the official Brisbane residence of Queensland governors since 1910.

During the week, he and wife Kaye de Jersey, will fulfil his constitutional, ceremonial and community duties from Mackay, and will also use the city as a base to travel to Proserpine, Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, Moranbah, Clermont and Charters Towers.

"All Queenslanders are entitled to see their governor and be enthused by him, if he is capable of that," he said.

"It is really very important that the governor of Queensland get out right around the state because we have so many community and population centres outside of Brisbane."

After opening Mackay Airport Beach Races on Saturday he travelled to the Whitsundays.

He saw houses completely destroyed Cyclone Debbie and people seeking certainty from their insurers.

Governor de Jersey paid tribute to those who made the recovery process easier for those most vulnerable while standing side by side with SES volunteers at the Airlie Beach foreshore on Saturday afternoon.

"My gratitude goes out to volunteers and SES people in particular, who put their lives on hold and endangered themselves," he said.

"It should be remembered that it is not just these (volunteers) who put themselves out for extended periods helping others, but also their families who have been left behind as a consequence."

SES volunteer Greg Yuskan said it was appreciated that the Governor had come to the region and followed up on the situation post Cyclone Debbie.

Almost five months on from the Category Four Cyclone, Governor de Jersey acknowledged that the region was still in the midst of "difficult times" but expressed confidence that all levels of government were working together to resolve further issues.