More colours in the gardens to enjoy

There are so many reasons to visit the gardens on a regular basis… green open spaces, birds and butterflies and other wildlife to enjoy and not to mention our Living Collection of plants.

Here are just a few different colours of fruits and flowers to come and find in the gardens right now...

Dillenia alata – Red Beech or Golden Guinea Tree
Curcuma australasica – Cape York Lily
Diploglottis obovata – Blunt-leaved or Wild Tamarind
Tabernaemontana orientalis – Eastern Gondola Bush
Vanilla planifolia – Vanilla Orchid

Australian Showcase Garden

The Australian Showcase Garden is a garden where we can trial different Australian natives and their cultivars in our local conditions.

Once we have seen which ones have been successful we will let you know! Native Plants Queensland – Society for Growing Australian Plants (SGAP) Mackay branch have generously donated funds towards additional plants for this garden. Some of the species recently added include:

Ptilotus exaltatus – Tall Mulla Mulla
Ptilotus polystachyus – Long Tails

The Australian Showcase Garden is located along the top of Lagoon Street near the Timber Trees Arboretum. Come and see what’s growing on your next visit.

Festive fun is just around the corner

Our normal festive celebrations of Christmas in the Gardens will not go ahead this year. Instead, we are excited to share two weeks of festive fun activities with you to get you into the Christmas spirit.

To keep up to date with activities planned, please keep an eye on Facebook, the Botanic Gardens' website and next month’s eNewsletter.

New plants for sale and shop items

Thank you to everyone who has come in to buy native plants over the last couple of months.

We are still selling a range of native plants with species ranging from native grasses and creeping vines to shrubs and trees. All plants for sale are grown by Native Plants Queensland – Society for Growing Australian Plants (SGAP) Mackay branch.

Plants do sell quickly so come and get yours before they sell out. Plants vary from $3 to $5 each. For more information, please call Botanic Gardens on phone 4952 7300.

There are also some new items for sale in the Gardens Shop. We invite you to see what we have. New stock items include colourful reversible hats, botanic-inspired earrings, books and some beautiful greeting cards from Mackay’s Botanical Art Interest Group (BAIG). The Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except public holidays).

November Photo Walkabout

Saturday, November 28
10am to noon
Botanic Gardens meeting room (opposite café)

The November Photo Walkabout will focus on using light and camera settings in a controlled environment. Photo light boxes will be set up with a range of subject matter. If you have access to a light box, please bring it in. This workshop is about developing technique.

Bookings are essential as places are limited for this workshop. To book your spot, please call the gardens administration team on phone 4952 7300.

Lagoons Gallery exhibition: 'Only 1' by Pamela Berrigan

Tuesday, November 3 to Sunday, November 29
Lagoons Gallery

Pam Berrigan is a talented local artist with a passion for animals, which inspired her to draw them. Over the years, she has won many first places in the Mackay Show with her pencil drawings of birds.

For more information, please contact the gardens administration team on phone 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au

NPQ - SGAP Mackay monthly meetings

Are you interested in local native plants?

Native Plants Queensland – Society for Growing Australian Plants Mackay is a regional branch of Native Plants Queensland.

They hold monthly meetings, propagation days, planting bees, plant sales and more.

Visitors are welcome to attend meetings. For more information on meeting dates and locations, please email npqmackay@gmail.com