School holiday activities - June 2021

> Artspace Mackay  

Drawing Still Life: Free holiday drop-in activities for all ages
June 26 – July 11 (closed Mondays)
Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 3pm
Drop-in to Artspace Mackay anytime during school holidays and participate in our free activity, Drawing Still Life. Explore the art of drawing objects inspired by Brisbane artist Leigh Schoenheimer’s Iterate | Elaborate exhibition currently on show in our Foyer Gallery.

Parental supervision is required, and parental assistance is required for younger children who will need extra hands for this activity. Seats are limited for COVID19 reasons and social distancing applies. If there are no seats available in the room on arrival, simply come back at a later time. To see more, visit https://bit.ly/2SNFecq

> Bluewater Lagoon

Open 7 days, from 9am – 5pm
River Street, Mackay
Splash around with the whole family at the free, three-tiered Bluewater Lagoon before it closes for winter maintenance on July 11. 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 newly renovated and modern children’s play area! For more details, visit mackay.qld.gov.au/bluewaterlagoon

> Greenmount Homestead

Homestead tours
Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 1pm
Last Sunday of each month, 9am to 1pm
Greenmount Road, Walkerston
Entry fees: adult $7, concession $5, student/child (5-18 years) $3
Tour the stunning, heritage listed Greenmount Homestead and educate your children on the history of our region. 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 artefacts.

Meccano building on the verandah
Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 1pm, both weeks of school holidays
Greenmount Road, Walkerston
Mechanically minded?  Drop by Greenmount Homestead during school holidays and build the next mechanical marvel!  Meccano has a long history at Greenmount, with residents winning prizes in the 1920s for their amazing creations.  Visitors of all ages are welcome to try their hands at constructing their own Meccano object.

Games in the gardens
Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 1pm, both weeks of school holidays
Greenmount Road, Walkerston
If you’re looking to get the kids out of the house and into the fresh air these school holidays, Greenmount Homestead has what you’re looking for.  Come enjoy a series of lawn games in our stunning, heritage listed gardens and soak up that winter sunshine!

> Libraries

Please visit the Libraries’ Facebook page, website or visit Eventbrite eventbrite.com.au/o/mackay-regional-council-libraries-8225730857 to book these activities.

Children school holiday activities

Ukulele for kids 8 – 12 years  
Wednesday, June 30, 2pm to 2.30pm, 2.45pm to 3.15pm, 3.30pm to 4pm at Gordon White Library
Thursday, July 1, 2pm to 2.30pm, 2.45pm to 3.15pm at Dudley Denny City Library
Monday, July 5, 10am to 10.30am, 10.45am to 11.15am, 11.30am to noon at Walkerston Library
This program is the perfect opportunity for children and their parents to come along and have a go at playing the ukulele and learn some basic musical skills in a fun environment. Specifically designed for children aged eight to 12 years and their parent/guardian.

Bedtime Stories
Thursday, July 1, from 5pm to 6pm at Gordon White Library
Thursday, July 8, from 5pm to 6pm at Dudley Denny City Library   
A fun evening for all children aged birth to eight years and their families. The session features stories, songs and a craft activity. Don't forget to wear your pyjamas!

Movie Matinees
Join us for an afternoon movie and popcorn these school holidays. This event is for children aged five to 12 years.
The Croods – A New Age (PG)
Friday, July 2, from 2pm to 4pm at Gordon White Library
The prehistoric family, the Croods are challenged by a rival family, the Bettermans, who claim to be better and more evolved.

Dragon Rider (PG)
Friday, July 9, from 2pm to 4pm at Gordon White Library
A dragon, an orphaned boy and a mountain spirit work together as they trek through the Himalayas in search for the Rim of Heaven.

STEMPunks
Inspiring tomorrow’s innovators space 2101
Friday, July 2, and Wednesday, July 7, from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Dudley Denny City Library
In this immersive STEM workshop, participants see if they have what it takes to join the Space Punks Alliance by completing our test mission. On the mission, they will use design thinking as a problem-solving tool and experience real space objects, 3D design, coding and learn from real Marsonauts in this augmented reality.This event is specifically for children aged 10 to 12 years and is delivered in partnership with Split Spaces and Local Buying Foundation.

Berky the Brush Turkey meets #MackayRocks
Saturday, June 26, to Sunday, July 11
It’s on again! Get out and about in our beautiful region and do a bit of rock hunting this school holidays. You may have heard of #MackayRocks or seen some brightly painted rocks “hiding” in local parks and around our community. #MackayRocks is a community-building group whose aim is to inspire creativity in people of all ages and energise people to get out and explore the beautiful area we live in. They paint rocks to "hide" around the region to spread joy and brighten people's day and Mackay Libraries has been a long-term supporter and participant.

This school holidays, the sneaky library team are hiding Berky Rocks and we challenge you all to get out and find them! Berky the Brush Turkey is a well-known local identity (he may have even visited your kindy!), our reading champion and the star of his very own book! When you find a Berky Rock, we encourage you to bring it back to your local library to receive your own copy of Berky’s book “Birds Don’t Have Birthdays”.

You can also post a photo in the Mackay Rocks Facebook Group and the Mackay Regional Council Libraries Berky the Brush Turkey Meets #MackayRocks Event. You can then re-hide your Berky Rock for someone else to find!

Wild puppets show with Berky and friends
Saturday, June 26, from 10am to 11am at Botanic Gardens – Malta Gardens
Saturday, June 26, from 2pm to 3pm at Bucasia Esplanade
Sunday, June 27, from 10am to 11am at Dudley Denny City Library
Sunday, June 27, from 2pm to 3pm at Queens Park (next to cricket shed)
Tuesday, June 29, from 10am to 11am at Gordon White Library 
Tuesday, June 29, from 2pm to 3pm at Dudley Denny City Library
Thursday, July 1, from 10am to 11am at Sarina Library
Thursday, July 1, from 2pm to 3pm at Sarina Library
Join us out and about for an interactive puppet show featuring Ros from Wild Puppets and her boxful of puppet friends! After the show, Berky and Ros will stop and chat with families as children decorate their own Berky library bag to take home. Family fun for children aged birth to eight years and their families.

Strolling story in the Botanic Gardens
Saturday, June 26, from 11am until Saturday, August 28, starting near the Malta Garden
Strolling Stories is an innovative way to experience a local children’s picture book outside in our beautiful Botanic Gardens. The pages of “Birds Don’t Have Birthdays” appear on picture panels along a pathway in the Botanic Gardens allowing children and their families to read the book on their walk.

Download the Zappar App to experience Berky and the story as you have never seen them before. An interactive and exciting experience for children of all ages.

Young adults school holiday activities

STEMPunks
Inspiring tomorrow’s innovators space 2101
Monday, July 5, from 9.30am – 12.30pm at Dudley Denny City Library
In this immersive STEM workshop, participants see if they have what it takes to join the Space Punks Alliance by completing our test mission. On the mission, they will use design thinking as a problem-solving tool and experience real space objects, 3D design, coding and learn from real Marsonauts in this augmented reality.This event is for young adults aged 13 to 15 years and is delivered in partnership with Split Spaces and Local Buying Foundation.

Library After Dark
Friday, July 9, from 6pm – 8pm at Gordon White Library
We’re making the library available exclusively to young adults aged 12 to 18 years. There will be a bit of random ukulele tutes, acoustic music, henna demos, digital arty stuff, pizzas, snacks and plenty of chill zones.

Resin-ate
Monday, June 28, from 2pm to 4pm at Sarina Library
Tuesday, June 29, from 10am to noon at Mirani Library
Tuesday, June 29, from 2pm to 4pm at Walkerston Library
Wednesday, June 30, from 10am to noon at Dudley Denny City Library
Thursday, July 1, from 10am to noon at Gordon White Library
Bring your old jewellery or interesting plants and bugs, or anything little, and we will help you transform it into a forever keepsake. This program is for young adults aged 12 to 18 years.

> Mackay ARC  

Monday to Friday, 5.30am to 7pm
Saturday, 6am to 6pm
Sunday, 8am to 6pm
193 Boundary Road, Ooralea
Enjoy a swim in the heated pools or utilise the athletic facilities with the whole family mackayarc.com.au

> MECC  

Isaiah Spirit
Saturday, July 10, 7.30pm
The MECC Plenary Halls
Isaiah Firebrace has an incredible story. He attended high school on the banks of the Murray River and went without food in order to fund the six hours of travel that was required to get to his singing lessons each Saturday. In the past three and a half years, the talented teen has transformed from a small-town singer to the most streamed First Nations pop artist in the world. Along the way he’s won The X Factor, represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest (finishing in the top 10) and is signed to Sony Music Australia. See him live in concert at The MECC, a show aimed at high school-aged students and above. Book via https://bit.ly/2T6KOGL

> Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Kids holiday craft workshops – Insect hotels
Wednesday, June 30, 10am to 11.30am on the Tropical Sun Lawn
Thursday, July 1, 10am to 11.30am on the Tropical Sun Lawn
$5 per child, places are limited, bookings essential
Kids aged 6-12 years are invited to join Kim and make their own insect hotel to take home to attract native bees and other beneficial insects to the garden. Bring a clean, dry and empty two-litre milk bottle.

Kids holiday craft workshops – Upside down hanging planters
Wednesday, July 7, 10am to 11.30am on the Tropical Sun Lawn
$5 per child, places are limited bookings essential
Kids aged 6-12 years are invited to join Kim and make their own upside-down hanging planters to take home. Bring a clean and dry and empty 1.25L plastic bottle.

Tibbles hunt in the Tropical Shade Garden
Monday to Friday throughout the school holidays, from 9am to 5pm when the Gardens Visitor Information Centre is open.
FREE
Visit the Tropical Shade Garden to find out Tibbles’ latest message to decode these school holidays. When you get your answer, come and show us at Gardens Visitor Information Centre to collect a sticker!

Self-guided activities
Any day or time
FREE
Discover which birds live in the Botanic Gardens, head on an epic voyagers hunt to learn about some of our local native plants that were collected 250 years ago, and see if you can complete our Alphabet I Spy! Self-guided activities are available all school holidays and can be printed at home from the Botanic Gardens website (www.mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au) or pick up copies from the brochure holders opposite the café.

Bocce with a buddy
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Cost $5 for hire of bocce set ($50 cash only refundable deposit)
Enjoy a game of bocce or croquet with a friend on our sand bocce court. Bocce sets are available for hire from Gardens Administration.

Butterfly Host Plant Trail
Tropical Shade Garden, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm when Gardens Visitor Information is open.
Cost FREE.
Follow the trail around the Tropical Shade Garden and discover some of the plants you can grow at home to attract butterflies to your garden. Along the way, there is a kids fun facts trail to do. Don’t forget to visit Gardens Visitor Information Centre and have a look at some of the critters on display.

> Sarina Sugar Shed  

School holiday activities
Open seven days a week, 9am to 4pm
Tours run 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm
Entry prices range from $13 to $26.50, family and group booking rates are available
Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina
Sarina Sugar Shed tours are a delight for all ages! On the guided tour, you will experience how sugar cane is grown, harvested and processed into sugar products! At the end, you can sample the products that they produce, including relishes, chutneys, sauces, non-alcoholic ginger beer and fairy floss! There are activities for the kids, including Minecraft games, available throughout the year, and parking and picnic and BBQ facilities are available in the adjacent Field of Dreams Parkland precinct. Tour bookings for school holidays are highly recommended! For more information or to book a tour online, visit sarinasugarshed.com.au.

> Orchid House

Monday to Friday, 10am to 11am and 2pm to 3pm
Sunday, 10am to 2pm
Kids and adults alike will love the 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.