What's On In Mackay – Mackay Regional Council

ARTSPACE MACKAY

• Exhibitions
  Enjoy the exhibitions on display and open to the public Tuesday to Friday 10am – 5pm and weekends 10am – 3pm. Find out more.
• Conversations with Art
  3rd Friday of each month, 1pm to 2.30pm
  Conversations with Art is a free and enjoyable discussion led by Artspace staff as we look at works on show and images from gallery and museum collections. Whether you’re an artist, an art and language lover, beginner, or expert, we’d love you to join us. It’s an inclusive, thought provoking and satisfying way to spend an afternoon! Find out more and book.

MACKAY REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS

• Birdlife Mackay Monthly Surveys
  Last Friday of each month, 6am to 8am
  Join Birdlife Mackay with their monthly bird count in the Botanic Gardens. If you are a keen bird watcher or just love birds and keen to find out more, we would love your help! Meet at the Viewing Deck next to the Café, off Lagoon Street. Bring a hat, water bottle, camera and binoculars (if you have them). Find out more
• Mackay Park Run  
  Every Saturday, 7am to 8am       
  Meet at Tamarind Carpark (near playground)
  A 5km run/jog/walk put on by the community for the community every Saturday morning for all ages. Come together to enjoy our beautiful natural environment and get physically active in the process. Register at www.parkrun.com.au.
• Free Guided Walks
  Every Friday, 10am to 11am (From April 1 until October)
  Great opportunity during the cooler months to get outdoors and explore the garden. Discover some of the amazing plants that make up our Living Collection and what ones are at risk in the wild. Perhaps spot some of the many birds, native bees and butterflies that make the gardens their home.
• Photo Walkabout Workshop
  Photo Walkabout workshops are a free activity open to beginners to advanced photographers who are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. These workshops are suitable for those with a smart phone camera through to DSLR cameras. Dates and times will vary from one month to the next. Visit their Facebook events page for details.

For more information and contact details for the regular events at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, visit their website.

Also available:

MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL LIBRARIES

Our libraries offer a diverse range of programs and events catering for the recreational and educational needs of people of all ages and abilities in the Mackay region. Find out more about what they offer.  Bookings are essential.

Kids’ and young adult programs:

• Anime Manga Club
  Come on out anime and manga fans! Share your favourite story ideas, drawings and all things Japanese. Suitable for young adults aged 12 to 18 years.
• First 5 Forever Programs
  Spend time every day nurturing your child’s love of language by sharing rhymes, telling stories and playing. Visit your local library for our programs aimed at promoting language and literacy development in the early years.
  Baby Bounce –  Suitable for babies from birth to walking
  Dads ‘n’ Bubs Baby Bounce –  Suitable for babies from birth to walking
  Toddler Time –  Suitable for toddlers up to two-and-a-half
  Story Time –  Suitable for children aged two-and-a-half to five years
• STEAM Club
  Explore the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Imagine, invent, discover and create with challenging and entertaining hands-on activities. STEAM Club is specifically designed for children aged eight to 12 years. Free event. Get in early to book as the sessions often book out.

Young adult and adult programs:

• Book Clubs
  Are you interested in joining a book club? Come along to one of our monthly book clubs and connect with people who have similar reading interests.
• Breath and Meditation
  Breathing and meditation helps with your overall physical and mental health so join our highly skilled facilitator and be guided into relaxation.
• Careers Development
  Join us for informative and interactive workshops focused on exploring pathways to gaining your dream job.
• Craft and Conversation
  Are you a keen crafter and would like some company? Join our Craft and Conversation group to share your love of all things crafty. Bring your current project (all crafts are welcome) and join this friendly group.
• Creative Studio Inductions
  If you need a quiet, semi-soundproof studio to record or edit your creative projects, we have just the space for you. Complete a Creative Studio Induction to become an approved user of the studio. Suitable for 16 years and over. Find out more about the Creative Studio.
• English Conversation Circles
  Conversation groups are a great way to meet new people and practice your English.
• Family History Online
  Discover a wealth of online family history resources at your local, state and national libraries.
• Laughing Yoga: Warning!!
  This session is inclusive for all and laughing may be infectious.
• My Choir – A Choir with a purpose
  My Choir is aimed at those in the community affected by dementia and memory loss, their families, friends and carers. Singer or not, come along and experience the joy of singing.
• Relaxation Corner
  Colouring calm for adults(18+)! It’s a relaxing, stress-relieving, and fun way to spend an hour or two. We will provide the colouring sheets, pencils and pens or simply bring your own supplies and enjoy the space with other like-minded people.
• Reminisce Café
  Memories and conversation keep us connected to our loved ones.
• Sew Centre Inductions
  Book an induction now so that you can come and use the Sew Centre equipment for free in our at  new Innovation Hub at Gordon White Library
• Sew Centre Open Days
  Come and use a sewing machine and overlocker to make your own projects in our new creative space, the Innovation Hub at Gordon White Library. You will need to know basic sewing techniques and be able to work without supervision and be aged 18 and above.
• Silver Screen Surprise
  Discover a hidden movie gem! Our surprise title will be unveiled mid-month, so check out our eNewsletter and social media for the movie title.

SARINA SUGAR SHED TOURS

Experience the ultimate paddock-to-plate-to-bottle food tourism experience at Australia’s multi-award winning sugar mill and distillery.

Bring the whole family for a fun, interactive and educational tour. Embark on a fascinating behind the scenes journey on how sugar cane is grown, processed and milled, and how our sought-after distilled products are created.

Taste our unique product range from decadent ice-creams, sauces, relishes and chutneys to craft distilled liqueurs and our famous Sugar Shed rum.

Located just off the Bruce Highway in Sarina, 37km south of Mackay.

Tours available 7 days a week (except Christmas day, Boxing day and Good Friday)

Sugar Shed Tour (with tasting session)
9.30am | 11am | 12.30pm | 2pm – 1 hour

Rum Distillery Tour
Noon – 30 minutes

Tasting Sessions
10.45am | 1.45pm – 15 minutes

Visit www.sarinasugarshed.com.au for more information and to book.

GREENMOUNT HOMESTEAD TOURS

Greenmount Homestead is one of Mackay’s most valued historic attractions and includes a number of buildings, heritage listed gardens and more than 20,000 artefacts.

Located Greenmount Road, Walkerston (off the Peak Downs Highway), approximately 15 minutes west of Mackay.

Tours
Commencing Monday, March 20, 2023
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and last Sunday of the month
9am | 10am | 11am | noon

For more information, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/greenmount.

GET ACTIVE PROGRAMS

Join subsidised fitness classes held each week in Mackay and the surrounding regions. The current programs will run until June 30, 2023.

Activate Mackay Region

Active In The Regions