Mackay Botanical Gardens The Lagoons Mackay Queensland

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Common Coot at the Botanical gardens. Situated in West Mackay, just off Nebo Road, The Mackay Botanical Gardens are relatively new yet are filled with beautiful plants and wildlife native to Central Queensland. Opened in 2003 on the site of what is commonly known as the Lagoons, the development has extensive pathways, a wide variety of vegetation and boardwalks across wetlands.

It is claimed that the Lagoons was Mackay's first water source and the "water works" was built on the lagoons site early in the Twentieth century. At the main entrance after leaving the car park, , visitors will find an information office and restaurant, plus there is a children's playground, bikeways and drinking fountains.

Now that we have the information side of things out of the way, let's have a good look at what there is to see. If you like plants, flowers and trees there are beautiful specimens all over the gardens. Bird watchers can enjoy a large variety of ducks, geese and other native birds, plus keep a sharp lookout around the edges of the lagoons for platypus and tortoises. Our image at the top of this page depicts the lagoon with a tortoise nest. If you click that image you will get the larger view.

Statue of South Sea Islander cane cutter. At the Southern end, near the Mackay Tourism Centre at the City Gates, there is a lovely commemoration to the South Sea Islander Community, complete with ceremonial long hut, traditional sculptures, fruit and coconut trees.

At the end of Lagoon St, there is an extensive array of children's swings and playground equipment. A special area has been set aside for the Mackay Maltese community, with cacti, plants and a structure of considerable beauty much like a Roman Arch, where one can quietly sit and look down on the lagoons.

There is a viewing platform behind the Lagoon Restaurant some 10 meters high, great for bird watching, and park benches scattered around the Botanical Gardens which are good for a rest or just to admire the natural beauty of the surroundings.

The Botanical Gardens are maintained by the Mackay City Council with the assistance of many hard working volunteers called Friends of the Gardens. If it wasn't for this volunteer group, the gardens would never have been established and the people of Mackay owe a huge thank you for their valuable contribution.

Mackay Botanic Gardens Information:

Mackay Botanical Gardens, The Lagoons, Mackay, Queensland.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens