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Published on 27 March 2026
An idea to brighten a rail underpass in the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens has transformed a well-used area into a colourful, educational attraction.
The ‘Connecting Gardens Through Art’ project began as an idea to improve the amenity of the tunnel, parallel to Nebo Road and has resulted in a spectacular visual representation of the plants and animals found in the region.
The mural was made possible by the Mackay Branch of Native Plants Queensland – Society for Growing Australian Plants, which secured funding through the Regional Arts Development Fund.
Local mural and botanic artist Kate Brunner brought the idea to life and was supported by volunteer artists from Mackay’s Botanical Art Interest Group.
Plant species depicted in the mural include the Mount Blackwood Holly, Koumala Range Actephila, Mackay Cedar and Leichhardt Tree.
A number of local native wildlife are also featured, including the Ulysses butterfly, platypus, bandicoots, Barking Owl and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos.
To learn more about the mural visit Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens - Connecting Gardens Through Art