Book an adventure with your child at Picnic in the Gardens  

Published on 12 August 2025

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens is already a wonderful place to explore, but next Thursday (August 21) you and your child are invited to let your imaginations run wild.

Dress as your favourite storybook character and come along for an adventure – who knows what you’ll see.

Maybe some cats in hats, alpacas with maracas, hungry caterpillars, Wiggles, Wallys, wizards, unicorns, superheros and fairy-tale characters.

Picnic in the Gardens, running from 9.30am to 11.30am, is Mackay Regional Council Libraries’ yearly Book Week blowout complete with Story Time under the trees and Baby Bounce on the lawn.

There will be lots of fun for the kids with face painting, puppets, craft activities plus heaps more.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and kick back in the green space beside the Botanic Gardens Café.

Stalls from local children’s service providers will be set up around the edge of the parkland.

For more information on our Libraries’ Book Week celebrations, and access to the 2025 Book of the Year Shortlist, visit mackay.qld.gov.au/bookweek

About Children’s Book Week

Each year since 1945 the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has brought children and books together across Australia through Children’s Book Week. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators.

This year’s theme is “Book an Adventure”.  Children’s Book Week runs from August 18 to 23. 

The CBCA also proudly announces the 2024 Book of the Year Shortlist. From 656 entries across six categories, 36 quality Australian children’s books are celebrated.

Keep an eye out for hungry caterpillars, Wiggles, Wallys, wizards, unicorns, superheros, fairy-tale characters and many more book characters at the Picnic in the Park.