We have recently planted 820 seedlings of Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as Golden Everlasting Daisies along the banks of the Lagoons (below the café), at the Sugar Cane wall (near the main entrance) and in the Timber Trees Garden to be enjoyed in the coming months.
 
Golden Everlasting Daisies' are a flowering plant from the Asteraceae family and is a widespread and variable species. They are available in other colours, however our local species are bright yellow. You can see these growing in their natural setting at Slade Point Reserve and beside roads and the highway south of Koumala.
 
The Golden Everlasting Daisies brightly coloured bracts act as petals to attract insects. This plant serves as food for various butterfly larvae and moths, adult butterflies, native bees, grasshoppers and small beetles who also visit the flower heads. We would like to thank the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens Friends Association for kindly donating these seedlings and their ongoing support in the Botanic Gardens.

The Mackay Branch of the Society for Growing Australian Plants (SGAP) have a long and continuing involvement in the development of the Botanic Gardens.

The Regional Forests' plantings feature plants in ‘natural’ forest groupings from different plant communities within our local Central Mackay Coast bioregion.

Click here to find out about some of the different plant species highlighted in this area. We encourage you to enjoy a stroll along the pathways that meander through the Regional Forests and find something new each time you visit.
 
Since 1995 SGAP members have planted many 1000’s of local native species throughout the Regional Forests and hold regular working bees to help enhance and maintain them. Without their ongoing involvement and commitment, this section of the gardens would not be where it is today.

For more information on becoming a part of SGAP, please email npqmacky@gmail.com