Top 10 things to do around the region 

1) APT10 Kids on Tour

During Artspace Mackay’s opening hours until Sunday, January 23
Artspace Mackay Workshop Room

During the summer school holidays, bring your family and friends to make free art in the gallery with APT10 Kids on Tour. There’ll be a variety of art-making activities developed by the Children’s Art Centre in collaboration with artists Shannon Novak (Aotearoa, New Zealand), Phuong Ngo (Australia), Syagini Ratna Wulan (Indonesia), Jamilah Haji (Thailand), Gidree Bawlee (Bangladesh) and Vipoo Srivilasa (Thailand/Australia). No bookings are necessary, but parental supervision is required. If no seats are available when you arrive, simply try again later. This program is presented by the Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). Visit artspacemackay.com.au for more details.

2) Takeaway Christmas craft packs

Until December 24, 2021
Mackay Regional Council Library branches

Get creative over the Christmas holidays with our free takeaway Christmas craft packs! Packs are free, however, you must have your library membership card and borrow one library item to collect your pack. There is a limit of one pack per child. Available while stocks last, so get in quick!

3) Personalised Christmas gift wrapping

Tuesday, December 14, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Gordon White Library
Wrap your gifts with personalised style, save money and save waste! Bring any scrap cotton or silk materials (light colours preferably). This event is for young adults aged 12 to 18 years. For more details visit https://bit.ly/32JUT14.

4) Bedtime Stories

Thursday, December 16, 5pm to 6pm
Gordon White Library

A fun evening for children aged from birth to eight years-of-age and their families. The session features nursery rhymes, stories, songs and a craft activity. Don’t forget to wear your pyjamas!Reserve your spot athttps://bit.ly/3peArN9.

5) Kids painting competition

Until Wednesday, January 19, 2022 
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Is there a budding artist in your home? If so, here’s an opportunity for your children to have their artwork showcased in the February Lagoons Gallery art exhibition at the Botanic Gardens and win a $50 Wish gift card. This competition is open to children aged 10 to 17 years old. Simply use your imagination to create a piece of hand-painted canvas art that reflects the

theme ‘nature’. As part of the exhibition, we will ask members of the public to vote for their favourite artwork. The winner will be announced once the exhibition is over. For more information, please contact the visitor services officer on 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au

6) Butterfly Host Plant Trail

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Tropical Shade Garden
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 the Visitor Information Centre and have a look at some of the critters on display.

7) Special kids tour of the Sarina Sugar Shed

10.30am every day of the school holidays
Adult entry at the children’s price of $13.20, bookings are essential.
Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina

This fun, interactive session focuses on the kids, with the bonus of adults being welcome at kids' prices! During the 45-minute tour, the kids will discover all about growing and harvesting sugar cane and complete a hunt for the critters that live in our sugar cane patch. They’ll enter our miniature sugar mill to see how sugar cane is crushed and sample deliciously sweet sugar cane juice straight from our miniature mill, “Bill the Mill Junior”. Everyone gets a chance to taste our non-alcoholic ginger beer brewed on-site and freshly spun fairy floss. Limited spaces are available. Book online at sarinasugarshed.com.au

8) Friday nights in Fifth Lane

Friday, December 17, 5pm to 8pm
Fifth Lane, Mackay City Centre

Fifth Lane in the City Centre has come alive this summer. This Friday evening from 5pm to 8pm, locals can head down and enjoy the newly revamped space. Activities during this time range from face painting and musicians to Sensory Circus performers. Visitors can also check out the augmented reality experiences featuring the lane’s artwork.

9) Bluewater Lagoon

Open 7 days, 9am to 5.45pm
River Street, Mackay
Splash around with the whole family at the 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. For more details visit mackay.qld.gov.au/bluewaterlagoon

10) Sarina Youth Centre drop-in activities

The Sarina Youth Centre will host a range of school holiday fun activities for young people aged 10 to 21 years. There is a limit of 10 people each day and you must be registered to attend. RSVP by calling 4961 9278 or emailing sarinayouthcentre@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Christmas card craft
Tuesday, December 14, 10am to 2pm
Spreading community joy

Cultural cooking
Wednesday, December 15, 10am to 2pm
Cooking from around the world

Christmas treats
Thursday, December 16, 10am to 2pm
Come dressed in theme

Reminders:

New Year's Eve River Party

Tuesday, December 31, 6pm to 9pm
Bluewater Quay, Free family event

Join the Mackay Festivals team as they send 2021 out with a bang at the Bluewater Quay. Featuring the Looney Tunes, and with fireworks at 9pm and midnight, this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration will be the perfect way to usher in 2022 with your family. Join Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester as they sing, dance and create general chaos and hilarity. Then, enjoy amusement rides, get your face painted or simply kick back and enjoy up-and-coming local talents Kate Lockyer and Tiffany Grace.

2022 Australia Day Awards

Do you know someone who gives selflessly for our community or achieves outstanding results in sport, the arts or cultural endeavours? Nominate them for a 2022 Australia Day Award at www.mackay.qld.gov.au/australiaday.