Wondering what’s on in Mackay for the next two months? Our Mackay and Whitsundays Get Out and About Guide is full of the best events and activities for all ages. Check it out below – there’s something for everyone!
FRIDAY 1 JANUARY
Tales of Wonder
Runs until 22 January
Mackay Libraries
FREE / Kids – Family
New Years Day – Rock the Decades
The Pub – Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / TBA / 18 +
Exhibition: Jabu Birriny [Land + Sea]
Runs until 17 January
Foyer Gallery, Artspace Mackay
10.00am / FREE / Family
Exhibition: Lyn Laver-Ahmat: Light on Landscape
Runs until 14 February
Foundation Gallery, Artspace Mackay
10.00am / FREE / Family
Exhibition: Systematic
Runs until 14 February
FIELD Engineers Gallery, Artspace Mackay
10.00am / FREE / Family
New Year’s Day – Rock the Decades
The Pub – Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / FREE (booking required) / PG
MONDAY 4 JANUARY
Board Games
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
TUESDAY 5 JANUARY
Weaving with Beads
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY
Lets Cook! – Roast Pork and Gravy Rolls
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
THURSDAY 7 JANUARY
Day at the Pool
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
FRIDAY 8 JANUARY
The Create Experience – A Mastermind Retreat
Runs until 10 January
Karen Jacobsen – Yangaro Retreat
TBA / 18 +
SATURDAY 9 JANUARY
Video Content Creator Workshop
Four week course that also runs on 16, 23 and 30 January – Bookings Required
Dudley Denny City Library
10.00am / FREE / Kids 15 – 18 years
Alive – Pearl Jam Tribute Show
Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / FREE (booking required) / 18 +
SUNDAY 10 JANUARY
The Best of Ramjet
Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / FREE (booking required) / 18 +
MONDAY 11 JANUARY
Interactive, Educational and Fun Workshops
Runs until 22 January
10.00am – 2.00pm / Free / Kids
Colour in Mandalas
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
TUESDAY 12 JANUARY
Mood Boards
Gordon White Library
10.00am / Free / Kids 12 – 18 years
Blindfold Three Colour Painting Challenge
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
ABA meeting – Bliss Morning
Charlies Coffee Shop
9.30am / FREE / Breastfeeding Mothers
WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY
Fake News – Fight the Fake!
Dudley Denny City Library
9.30am / FREE – Bookings required / 12 +
Birdie’s Tree
Gordon White Library
9.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 7 years
Power Up!
Gordon White Library
11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 8 – 10 years
Let’s Cook! – Crispy Fried Chicken and Rice
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
Mid-week Race
Mackay Turf Club Racecourse
Free entry / TBA / Family
THURSDAY 14 JANUARY
Disaster Resilienc Building – Zombie Apocalypse
Gordon White Library
2.00pm / Free – Bookings required / Kids 11 – 16 years
Bedtime Stories
Gordon White Library
5.00pm / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 0 – 8 years
Day at the Pool
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
FRIDAY 15 JANUARY
Movie Matinees – Mulan
Gordon White Library
2.00pm / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 12 years
Flower Head Crowns
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
MONDAY 18 JANUARY
Holiday STEAM
Mirani Library
9.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 7 years
Holiday STEAM
Mirani Library
11.45am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 8 – 12 years
14+ Movie Day
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 14 + years
TUESDAY 19 JANUARY
Wildlife Rescue
Dudley Denny City Libraries
9.30am / Free – Bookings required / Kids aged 12 – 18 years
Holiday STEAM
Walkerston Library
9.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 7 years
Holiday STEAM
Walkerston Library
11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 8 – 12 years
Cupcake Baking Day
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY
Holiday STEAM
Gordon White Library
9.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 7 years
Holiday STEAM
Gordon White Library
11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 8 – 12 years
Birdie’s Tree
Dudley Denny City Libraries
9.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 7 years
Power Up!
Dudley Denny City Libraries
11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 8 – 10 years
Let’s Cook! – Homemade Pasta
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
THURSDAY 21 JANUARY
Disaster Resilience Building – Zombie Apocalypse
Gordon White Library
2.00pm / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 11 – 16 years
Holiday STEAM
Dudley Denny City Library
10.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 7 years
Holiday STEAM
Dudley Denny City Library
11.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 8 – 12 years
Anime – Manga Club
Gordon White Library
5.30pm / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 12 – 18 years
Bedtime Stories
Dudley Denny City Library
5.00pm / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 0 – 8 years
Day at the Pool
Sarina Youth Centre
10.00am / Kids 10 – 18 years
FRIDAY 22 JANUARY
Movie Matinees – Spies in Disguise
Gordon White Library
2.00pm / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 12 years
Holiday STEAM
Sarina Library
9.30am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 5 – 7 years
Holiday STEAM
Sarina Library
11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / Kids 8 – 12 years
FRIDAY 24 JANUARY
Made In Australia – Classic Australian Rock Tribute Show
Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / FREE (booking required) / 18 +
TUESDAY 26 JANUARY
Australia Day Tribute Show – Angels, Divinyls, Midnight Oil
Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / FREE show (bookings required)
Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony
MECC
10.00am
A Day at the Beach
Sand castle competition, beach flags, vegemite face painting competition, thong throwing, live music.
Eimeo Beach
2.00pm – 6.00pm
Australia Day at Sarina Beach
BBQ, water slide and fun competitions like fastest man on the sand and wheelbarrow races.
Sarina Beach, Sarina Esplanade
12.00pm – 6.00pm
Aussie Family BBQ at Quota Park
Celebrate our diversity and culture at a community BBQ by the beach.
Quota Park – Southern end of Binnington Esplanade, Mackay
11.00am – 3.00pm
TUESDAY 26 JANUARY
Aussie Family Fun Day
Zeolla Park AFL Grounds
10.00am – 3.00pm
Australia Day Beach Party
Mackay Surf Life Saving Club, Harbour Beach, Mackay Harbour
Mackayslsc
10.00am – 3.00pm
Australia Day Scouts Open Day
Activities will include rope bridge, low ropes course, crate stacking, thong throwing, damper cooking and more! Sausage sizzle and drinks available for gold coin donation.
Banksia Scout Den, Jaycee Park, Andergrove
10.00am – 1.00pm
Come On Over, We’re Home Celebration
Hosted by St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland
Iluka Park, Binnington Esplanade
E tania.baldacchino@svdpqld.org.au
10.00am – 2.00pm
Habana Aussie Party
Habana Community Precinct, 1091 Mackay-Habana Rd
Habana Progress
3.00pm – 7.00pm
Pancakes and Play in the Park
FREE pancakes and loads of fun.
On the grass area near the Mackay Sugar Bowl, Phillip Street, North Mackay
10.30am – 2.30pm
Sarina’s Big Bash Aussie Day
Thong throwing competition, big game of cricket, cockroach race, Aussie foods and best dressed competition. Pre sign-up is also available for both AFL and soccer.
Brewers Park, Sarina
10.30am – 4.00pm
St Helens Beach Australia Day Celebration
Repulse Esplanade, St Helens Beach
11.00am – 3.00pm
Sail Away on Australia Day
“Sailor’s corner”, Kinchant Dam Road, KInchant Dam
E mackaysailingcommodore@gmail.com
10.00am – 3.30pm
WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY
Mid-week Race
Mackay Turf Club Racecourse
Free entry / TBA / Family
THURSDAY 28 JANUARY
ABA meeting – Return to work/study & expressing milk
Mackay Women’s Centre
9.00am / $2.00 / Breastfeeding Mothers
FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY
Island Fashion on Tour: Art Activitis for Everyone
Runs everyday until 17 January (excluding 11 January)
The Workshop Room, Artspace Mackay
10.00am / Free / Kids
SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY
The Crowded House / Splitz Ends Experience
Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / FREE (bookings required) / 18 +
SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY
The Full House Band
Airlie Beach Hotel
2.00pm / FREE (bookings required) / 18 +
TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY
Mid-week Race
Mackay Turf Club Racecourse
Free entry / TBA / Family
ABA meeting – Bliss Morning
Bucasia Beachfront Bar & Restaurant
9.30am / FREE / Breastfeeding Mothers
THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY
Rockaria – The Elo Experience
MECC Auditorium
7.30pm / $62.50 – $69.50 / Mature
SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY
Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show
Runs until 14 February
MECC Auditorium
2.00pm, 6.00pm on Saturday 13 – 10.00am, 1.00pm on Sunday 14 / $41.90 – $167.60 / Family
SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY
Leaving Jackson – The Johnny Cash and June Carter Show
MECC Auditorium
7.30pm / $25.00 – $62.00 / Family
Give Me 5 for Kids Family Day
Mackay Turf Club Racecourse
TBC
THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY
ABA Meeting – Guest speaker Mackay Region Babywearing – Try on Slings and Carriers
Mackay Women’s Centre
9.00am / $2.00 / Breastfeeding Mothers
REGULAR MARKETS
The Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Markets
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 7.00am – 11.00am
Location: Bluewater Quay, River Street, Mackay City Centre (Best parking – Brisbane Street)
Showground Markets
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 6.30am – 10.00am
Location: Milton Street
Eungella Markets
Date: 2nd Sunday of the month
Time: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Location: Eungella Memorial Hall – North Street
Seaforth Community Markets
Date: Every Sunday
Time: 8.30am – 11.00am
Location: Seaforth Beachfront
Seaforth Mega Market
Date: 1 Sunday of every month in place of regular markets
Time: 8.30am – 12.00pm
Location: Seaforth Beachfront
Sarina Showground Markets
Date: Last Sunday of the month
Time: 7.30am – 12.00pm
Location: Sarina Showgrounds
Troppo Treasure Markets
Date: 2nd Sunday of the month
Time: From 7.30am – 11.30am
Location: Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre
River Street Twilight Market by GWFM
Date: 2nd Friday of every month
Time: From 4.00pm – 8.00pm
Location: Bluewater Quay, River Street, Mackay City Centre
Paxtons Night Markets
Date: 13 November
Time: 5.00pm – 8.00pm
Location: 10 River St