Get Involved

Stay up to date with what’s happening at the Botanic Gardens.

Our quarterly Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens eNews includes:

• Upcoming events and activities

• Volunteer opportunities
• News from the Gardens

Subscribe to the Botanic Gardens eNewsletter.

The Friends of the Gardens is a welcoming group of volunteers who support the Botanic Gardens and its ongoing development.

Members include:

• Gardeners and horticulturists

• Walkers, artists and photographers
• Bird observers and nature lovers
• People of all ages and backgrounds

How you can help

As a Garden Friend, you can:

• Assist the gardening team with planting, weeding and maintenance

• Support visitor experiences through guided walks and roving guidance
• Help at community events such as Botanic Gardens Week and Orchid Extravaganza
• Assist at Visitor Information and the Friends Shop

Why join

Garden Friends enjoy:

• Learning about native plants and gardening

• Access to guided walks and excursions
• Regular newsletters and updates
• Opportunities to give back and meet new people

More information

• Email mackayrbgfriends@gmail.com

• Visit the Friends of the Gardens Facebook page
• View the Garden Friends brochure(PDF, 3MB)

(Society for Growing Australian Plants)

Native Plants Queensland Mackay Branch promotes the cultivation, conservation and appreciation of Australian native plants.

Members support the Botanic Gardens through:

• Working bees
• Plant donations to the living collection
• Sharing plant knowledge and expertise

Get involved

You can:

• Attend monthly meetings and talks

• Join propagation sessions
• Take part in plant sales and excursions
• Receive regular newsletters

Meetings:

First Thursday of each month, 7.30pm

Botanic Gardens Meeting Room

Visitors and guests are welcome.

For details:

• Email npqmackay@gmail.com

• Visit the group’s website or Facebook page

Your donation helps support projects across the Botanic Gardens.

Donations may assist with:

• Tree planting

• Seating and visitor facilities
• Interpretive signage

All donations support Botanic Gardens programs and projects.

Before donating, please read our Donations Policy.

You can also donate via the Garden Friends donation post near the playground entrance.

For more information:

• Phone 4952 7300

• Email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au

The Lagoons and Botanic Gardens

The Lagoons site has strong cultural and historical connections to the Mackay region. These links include Aboriginal, Australian South Sea Islander, Torres Strait Islander and European communities.

The Botanic Gardens exists today because of the contributions of many community groups and volunteers over time.

The Gardens officially opened on 24 May 2003, fulfilling a vision that began more than 125 years earlier. Several garden sectors are named after historic local gardens to honour Mackay’s gardening heritage.

Historic Garden Sectors

Balmoral

Established in the 1870s, Balmoral was an early sugar plantation and mill. Later, Balmoral House became a notable residence surrounded by gardens and poinciana trees. The sector reflects Mackay’s early agricultural development.

Cremorne

Cremorne was developed by early settler John Greenwood Barnes, a passionate horticulturist. The gardens became known for exotic plant collections, coconut palms and community entertainment, including concerts and fetes.

Kaliguil

Kaliguil takes its name from the nearby lagoon. The area was home to the McBurney family in the late 1800s and featured gardens, artworks and architectural details inspired by the landscape and climate.

Rawson’s Hollow

Inspired by English garden design, Rawson’s Hollow was known for its formal gardens, fernery and orchards. Its beauty earned it a place in local folklore and continues to inspire this garden sector today.

Summerlands

Summerlands was a grand garden estate developed in the late 1800s. Its lawns, fernery and lagoon setting influenced the Heritage Gardens and Tropical Shade Garden seen today.

Looking for more information about nature, plants or local wildlife?

Explore our curated list of helpful websites.