Friends of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

03/11/2026

Opening tomorrow - Wednesday November 4
Barbara's watercolour artworks in this exhibition are stunningly clear, sharp and detailed and look fantastic on the dark charcoal walls of the Lagoons Gallery within the Botanic Gardens Cafe of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens.
Barbara Lawrence will be available for a chat about her artwork tomorrow - Wed 4th Nov 11am to 12noon.
She is also available for conversation on these dates too...
• Sat 7th Nov 10am to 11am
• Wed 11th Nov 11am to 12noon
• Sat 14th Nov 10am to 11am
• Wed 18th Nov 11am to 12noon
• Sat 21st Nov 10am to 11am
• Sat 5th Dec 10am to 11am

Beautiful Artworks - you must go and see it...

FOR THE LOVE OF BOTANY
AN EXHIBITION

This Exhibition of botanical art and illustration is inspired by the extensive plant collection at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens.
The Gardens are a vibrant, living landscape of great beauty.
To wander in the Gardens and to observe the plants is deeply enriching for the mind, body and soul.

16/10/2026

POSTPONED to Sunday October 25…
See you next week at 2.30pm.

Tunnel Magic Sunday Stroll… this Sunday October 18…
Starting at the Botanic Gardens Cafe at 2.30pm to view the Botanica 2026 - ‘Tunnel Magic’ Exhibition. Followed by a stroll at 3pm to the Tunnel Mural, viewing plants depicted in the exhibition and the mural during your leisurely walk.
If it rains (which would be welcome by many) the stroll will be postponed to Sunday October 25.
For more information contact Maya - 0436331009.

09/10/2026

Have you been to see ... Botanica 2026 'Tunnel Magic' by various artists of Mackay's Botanical Art Interest Group in the Lagoons Gallery / Botanic Gardens Cafe yet?

Featured today is the Crinum pedunculatum - Spider Lily or Swamp Lily by Lisa Norris.

Commonly seen in home gardens and streetscapes, the hardy Spider Lily is described as a 'large bulbous perennial herb' that may reach around 2 metres high and in its spread.
Tolerant of a range of conditions, the plant is impressive when planted on mass, generating a field of green, strappy leaves and white spider-like flowers with golden stamens.
Lisa mentioned ... 'My first home, that we bought in Mackay, had a row of spider lilies that ran the width of my front verge, producing a constant delight of green foliage and white flowers.'

Lisa created her artwork with Watercolours, Aquarelle Pencils & Gouache on Arches Hot Pressed Paper

Why not visit the Botanic Gardens Cafe this weekend and see the whole delightful exhibition or walk down to the 'Connecting Gardens through Art' Tunnel Mural which inspired the exhibition.

08/10/2026

Botanical Art Interest Group (BAIG) will be at the Artists Makers Markets this Sunday with a wide range of items - prints, cards, tea towels, tote bags, wrapping paper, tags, notepads, bookmarks, and more... all featuring Botanical Art. See you there...

06/10/2026

Definitely worth a visit… or two 💚

Our latest exhibition, Botanica 2026 'Tunnel Magic' by members of Mackay's Botanical Art Interest Group is on display in the Lagoons Gallery within the Botanic Gardens Cafe this month. Come and view the stunning artworks on display and the background work that has gone into the creation of the mural location in the railway underpass tunnel here in the Botanic Gardens.

04/10/2026

Garden Friends are known for their great “Weed and Feed” sessions and we usually fill trailer loads! The MRBG staff decided a truck was more fitting!!!
We weeded, took out "wildings", removed old fronds and cleared out under the cycads in the Palm Walk and Gymnosperm areas…. and yes, the truck was full.
Well done and Thank you - Julie, Kevin, Gregory, Penny, Phillip and Carolyn.

20/09/2026

Unfortunately our Sunday Stroll for today September 20 has been cancelled.
Join us for a special ‘Tunnel Magic’ Exhibition Sunday Stroll on the 3rd Sunday of October (18th) at 3pm.
If you meet us at 2.30pm we can do a small viewing of the exhibition in the Lagoons Gallery/ Botanic Gardens Cafe before we stroll to the ‘Connecting Gardens through Art’ Mural.
See you then…

20/09/2026

Sounds very interesting to all those who enjoy birds…
Fly on in and register by Sept 27.

Ever wondered what it takes to protect Australia's rarest bird of prey? 🦅

Join leading raptor ecologist Chris MacColl from The University of Queensland's RARES Group for Birds of Prey: A Decade (and More) of Red Goshawk Research and Monitoring.

Discover the latest research, monitoring efforts and conservation work helping protect the endangered Red Goshawk, recently crowned BirdLife Australia's Bird of the Year 2025.

The morning includes:
✅ Expert presentation on over a decade of Red Goshawk research
✅ Screening of the documentary Red Goshawk
✅ Morning tea
✅ Optional field excursion to Wetland Walkabout, including a visit to an active Sea Eagle nest and raptor survey

📅 Saturday 3 October
⏰ 8:30am - 10:30am, with optional Wetlands walkabout until 12:30pm
📍 Andergrove Community Hall

Whether you're a bird enthusiast, nature lover, or simply curious about local wildlife, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn about one of Australia's most elusive and threatened species.

RSVP by 27 September. Register now: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01m-vr0

This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Reef Catchments, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.