School holiday activities

> Artspace Mackay

Drawing with Language

Artspace Mackay workshop room
Tuesday, July 2 – Sunday, July 14
Drop-in to the gallery during the July holidays because we’re celebrating the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages by Drawing with Language. Bring your family and friends to join the fun with art making activities inspired by Yuwibara language of the Mackay Region. There’ll be rubber stamping, artists’ book making, and drawing activities for all ages. Parental supervision is required, and you can stay for a few minutes or a few hours, and visit as many times as you’d like. It’s free and no bookings are required, so join us at Artspace for lots of fun. This event coincides with NAIDOC week, so be sure to look for other celebrations on throughout the region! www.artspacemackay.com.au Gallery hours: 10am - 5pm Tuesday to Friday, (Special open day Monday 8 July, 10am - 3pm for flag raising day during NAIDOC WEEK), 10am - 3pm Saturday and Sunday

> Bluewater Lagoon

Open 7 days, 9am – 5.45pm
River Street, Mackay
Cool down and splash around with the whole family at the free, three-tiered Bluewater Lagoon. Overlooking the picturesque Pioneer River in the heart of the Mackay City Centre, the facilities provide the ideal stinger-free environment for kids and adults alike. Kids will love the waterfall, drop-bucket and wading pool! For more details visit mackay.qld.gov.au/bluewaterlagoon

> Greenmount Homestead

Monday to Friday > 10am – 2pm
Last Sunday of each month > 10am – 2pm
Greenmount Road, Walkerston
Take a step back in time and educate your children on the history of our region. Explore the iconic Greenmount Homestead. As one of Mackay’s most valued historic attractions, the grounds contain several buildings including a 1915 Queenslander homestead which houses a collection of more than 20,000 historical items. Entry fees: adult $7, concession $5, student/child (5-18years) $3.

> Libraries

NAIDOC Week

Celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples www.mackay.qld.gov.au/naidoc. Join us for a range of activities that support our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

> Indigenous Language Stamping Drop-in Activity

Artspace Mackay
Monday, July 8 from 10am – 3pm
We’re celebrating the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages by Drawing with Language. Bring your family and friends to join the fun with art making activities inspired by Yuwibara language of the Mackay region. There’ll be rubber stamping, artists’ book making, and drawing activities for all ages. Parental supervision is required, and you can stay for a few minutes or a few hours, and visit as many times as you’d like. It’s free and no bookings are required, so join us at Artspace Mackay for lots of fun.

> NAIDOC Craft

Walkerston Library
Tuesday, July 2 from 10am – 11am
www.naidocwalkerston.eventbrite.com.au

Mirani Library
Tuesday, July 2 from 2pm – 3pm
www.naidocmirani.eventbrite.com.au

Gordon White Library
Wednesday, July 3 from 10.30am – 11.30am
www.naidocgordonwhite.eventbrite.com.au

Dudley Denny City Library
Thursday, July 4 from 10am – 11am
www.naidoccity.eventbrite.com.au

Sarina Library
Friday, July 5 from 10am – 11am
www.naidocsarina.eventbrite.com.au
Get ready for NAIDOC Week with some Indigenous themed craft activities. Create a sand art boomerang, decorate a hand using dot art painting plus more. For children in Prep to year 6. Bookings are essential and can be made online.

> NAIDOC Quiz Competition

Until Sunday, June 30
Complete our NAIDOC Quiz to be in the draw to win one of four Deadly Choices packs thanks to Mackay’s Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander Community Health Services. Pick up and submit your entry at any of our library branches by Sunday, June 30. The competition will run from Monday, June 3 until Sunday, June 30.  Winners will be drawn on Friday, July 12 at the NAIDOC Family Fun Day.

> Storytelling

Gordon White Library
Tuesday, July 9 from 10am – 11am

Dudley Denny City Library
Tuesday, July 9 from 1pm – 2pm
Join Aunty Deb for a translated reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and song in local Yuwibara language.

> Palm Frond Weaving

Dudley Denny City Library
Wednesday, July 10 from 9am - 11am
Celebrate NAIDOC and join local artist Marion Healy for a palm frond weaving workshop.  In this workshop you will learn the art of traditional palm frond weaving. Bookings required for this event.

> Bark Art Workshop

Dudley Denny City Library
Wednesday, July 10 from noon - 2pm
Join local artist Marion Healy as she shares her knowledge and expertise in the art of bark painting. Bookings required for this event.

> Family Fun Day

Queen’s Park
Friday, July 12 from 10am – 3pm
Find our stall down at the NAIDOC Family Fun day, hosted by Mackay NAIDOC Inc.  Promising to be a fun family day out with plenty of activities including a flag-raising ceremony, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancing, face painting, jumping castles plus Sean Choolburra will be performing!  Cheeky, clever and charismatic, Sean Choolburra has carved his niche as Australia’s No 1 indigenous entertainer.

Lego Fans Unite!

Sarina Library
Monday, July 1 from 9am - 5pm

Walkerston Library
Wednesday, July 3 from 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm

Mirani Library
Friday, July 5 from 9am - 5pm

Gordon White Library
Wednesday, July 10 from 9am - 5pm
Ride the LEGO Masters wave and drop in to your local library for some creative tinkering. Promotes fine motor skills, encourages team work, improves creativity, develops problem solving skills and mathematical thinking, develops persistence, lateral thinking and planning skills. www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson

Alpaca Prue Book Launch

Dudley Denny City Library
Monday, 1 July from 10am  
Join local author Rhonda Brown, illustrator Rob Wiezel and Ranger Ros for the very first public reading of the story and an appearance by Alpaca Prue herself! Books available for purchase and signing on the day.

Bedtime Stories

Gordon White Library
Thursday, July 4 from 5pm - 6pm

Dudley Denny City Library
Thursday, July 11 from 5pm - 6pm
A fun evening for all children aged 0 - 8 years and their families. The session features nursery rhymes, finger plays, stories, songs and a craft activity. No bookings required. Don’t forget to wear your pjs!

Mache-It-Up

Sarina Library
Monday, July 8 from 2pm - 3.30pm

Walkerston Library
Tuesday, July 9 from 10am - 11.30am

Mirani Library
Tuesday, July 9 from 2pm - 3.30pm

Dudley Denny City Library
Wednesday, July 10 from 1pm - 4pm

Gordon White Library
Thursday, July 11 from 1pm - 4pm
3D design is ‘old school’ and has been around for centuries when you consider ‘papier-mâché’. Young adults aged 21 – 18 years!  Create your favourite cosplay costume accessory (or anything else you fancy).  We’re going to see how we can combine this with modern 3d design using Tinkercad and our 3D printers. Book online at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/whatson.

Library After Dark

Gordon White Library
Friday, July 12, 6pm – 8pm
We’re making the library available exclusively to young adults aged 12 to 18 years.
There will be gaming, (online and boards) anime, some acoustic music, a bit of dance, pizzas, snacks and plenty of chill zones. Book online at www.libraryafterdark.eventbrite.com.au

> Mackay ARC

Monday to Friday - 5:30am to 8pm
Saturday - 6am to 6pm
Sunday and public holidays - 8am to 6pm
193 Boundary Road, Ooralea
Cool down and splash around or utilise the athletic facilities with the whole family www.mackayarc.com.au

> Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat

Sunday, June 30, 10.30am and 1pm
The MECC Auditorium
$27.50 admission | $100 family (2A + 2C) $20 group 10+
Few children’s books have stood the test of time quite like Dr Seuss’ 200-word masterpiece ‘The Cat in the Hat’. Now both children and adults alike are sure to be left in raptures by this zany and imaginative stage show, that will bring the story to life. The Cat in the Hat fresh from a sold-out tour of New Zealand, features a full-scale set of the house and over 70 props that the cast use to bring to life every detail of the well-known book.

> Mackay City Centre

Maggie Moo Music (newborn – 5 years)
Monday, July 1 and Monday, July 8, 9.30am – 10.10am
Bluewater Quay

Zumba Kids by Elena’s Fitness Fusion (4 – 12 years)
Tuesday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 9, 10.30am – 11.30am
Bluewater Quay

Mask Making Workshop by Margaret Burgess
Wednesday, July 3, 8am - noon
Bluewater Quay

Smarty’s ACTIVE Squirtz by Smarty’s Fit Food and Fun (2 – 5 years)
Thursday, July 4 and Thursday, July 11, 9.30am – 10.15am
Bluewater Quay

Time out Tai Chi by Balance Minder (5 – 12 years)
Friday, July 5, 10am – 11am
Bluewater Quay

Scratch Art Workshop by Margaret Burgess
Wednesday, July 10, 8am - noon
Bluewater Quay

Face-painting and Balloon Twisting by Fascinating Faces & Mr Poppa’s Balloons
Friday, July 12, 10am - noon
Sydney Street Markets

* Please note all the above activities are free to participate and don't require bookings. For more information visit: www.mackaycitycentre.com.au

> Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Black & White Facebook Photo Competition

Saturday, June 29 until Monday, July 15
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Black and white images can add mystery and depth to a photograph. Whether it be a landscape, portrait, architecture, nature or wildlife we want to see your best black and white photograph taken in the Mackay Botanic Gardens! This photo competition is aimed to be a family friendly activity, please post your photo to our Facebook Photo Competition page. Prizes to be won. Upload your photos to the competition event page.

Kid’s Craft Sessions

Tuesday, July 2, Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12 from 10am – 11.30am
Heritage Gardens shelter, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Join us at the Heritage Gardens Shelter and learn how to make use of a small space to grow a mini kitchen garden! We will be using recycled plastic bottles to make attractive plant hangers and learn about complimentary planting. Suitable for children aged 5 – 12 years. Cost: $5 per child. Parental supervision required.

DBCT Illuminate Free Lantern Making Workshops

Wednesday, July 10, Thursday, July 11, Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Free lantern making workshops for all the family! Let your imagination roam and create a lantern to be showcased at this year’s DBCT Illuminate as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts. Illuminate will be showing from 6pm - 9pm daily from July 22 to July 26. No bookings are required, and children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call Wanda Bennett: 0407 171 371 or Tracey Johnson: 0418 221 078

Guided walks

Every Friday, 10am
Meet at the Gardens Administration
Join us on a walk to discover the Gardens. Walks are available every Friday during April – October, booking are recommended. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to book a spot, please call 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au

Bocce with a buddy

Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4pm
Malta Gardens
Enjoy a game of bocce on our sand bocce court. Bocce sets are available for hire from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information. For more information, please call 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au

Kids Self - Guided Activities

Daily 9am – 5pm
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Calling all nature detectives! Pickup one or all of our activity sheets available these holidays from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm or simply download and print from our website www.mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au

> Sarina Sugar Shed

Open 7 days a week, 9am – 4pm, closed public holidays
Field of Dreams Parkland, Railway Square, Sarina
Sarina Sugar Shed tours are a delight for all ages! On the tour, you will see the special miniature sugar processing and distilling equipment that has been sourced from all over the world! Along with the processing mill, there are multimedia presentations, souvenir shop, picnic areas, easy parking and wheelchair-friendly access. Tours run at 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm, visitors will need to arrive 15 minutes prior to tour. Tours can unexpectedly fill up. To avoid disappointment, please call through to secure your booking. Entry prices are $12 - $25, family and group booking rates available. Children receive free fairy floss and non-alcoholic ginger beer as part of the tour as well as free educational handouts. For more information or to book a tour online visit www.sarinasugarshed.com.au.

> Sarina Youth Centre

School holiday activities
Sarina Youth Centre
Activities run daily from 10am until 2pm for youth aged 10-18 years old. For more information contact the Sarina Youth Centre on 4961 9277 or email sarinayouthcentre@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Monday, July 1: Molding clay
Tuesday, July 2: Monopoly
Wednesday, July 3: Gardening
Thursday, July 4: Malachi Cup, Junior Rugby League Ground
Friday, July 5: Baking healthy slice
Monday, July 8: Painting paper pinwheels
Tuesday, July 9: Pool competition
Wednesday, July 10: NAIDOC Day – Miller House
Thursday, July 11: Homemade pizza
Friday, July 12: Karaoke

> Orchid House

Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 11am and 2pm – 3pm, Sunday, 10am – 2pm
Queens Park, Goldsmith Street, Mackay
Kids and adults alike will love the display of beautiful and rare orchids on display at the Ken Burgess Display House (commonly known as the Orchid House). Stroll through the display which houses an astounding variety of orchids, all flowering at different times of the year. Enjoy the natural surrounds of Queens Park whilst you explore the Orchid House. Make a day of it and bring along a picnic and let the kids enjoy the playground.