Visitor information

Opening hours

Recommended visiting to the botanic gardens is from 5am to 9pm. All major arterial pathways and facilities are accessible and lit within these hours.

>Visitor Information Centre
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and Sundays from 9am to 12pm. Closed public holidays.

The Visitor Information Centre offers a range of resources, displays and items for sale including books and native plants.  The plants are made available by the SGAP Mackay - Native Plants Queensland and range in price from $3 to $10.

>Botanic Gardens Café
Open Wednesday to Friday 9am to 2pm and weekends 8am to 3pm. Closed public holidays. Find out more.

>Tropical Shade Garden and Fernery
Open weekdays 9am to 5pm, and Sundays from 9am to 12pm. Closed public holidays. Find out more.

Toilets

Toilet facilities are located at:

  • The main entrance on Lagoon Street outside the Gardens Administration
  • Adjacent to the Botanic Gardens Playground and Tamarind car park
  • Adjacent to the Meadowlands Amphitheatre
  • Col Story Park, opposite the southern entrance at Ram Chandra Place - 24 hours

*Toilets are open 7:00am to 6:00pm unless otherwise noted.

Drinking fountains

Drinking fountains are located:

  • Outside Gardens Administration
  • Matsuura Sister City Garden,
  • Botanic Gardens Playground; and
  • Forest Arbor Garden

Dogs in the gardens

We welcome dogs and their owners to the Botanic Gardens. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and there are no ''off-lead'' areas. "Doggy-doo" bags are located at all main entrances to the Gardens and dogs owners are encouraged to use these free facilities. Please do not allow your dogs to swim in the Lagoons, as these are important habitat and breeding areas for local and migratory birds and other local wildlife.

How you can help us to look after the Botanic Gardens

  • Please be aware that our plant species within the gardens are part of our living collection and collection or procurement of any plant material, living or dead is not permitted without the express permission of the Gardens Coordinator.
  • Please slow down when bike riding through the Botanic Gardens pathways. Our pathways are shared by a range of users including walkers, maintenance vehicles, scooters and parents/ carers with prams, wheelchairs.
  • Please walk bicycles in areas where you see ‘no bicycle’ symbols along the pathways.
  • Please contact Gardens Administration if you wish to hold a wedding or event in the Gardens (phone 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au).
  • The Gardens provide habitat for a range of wildlife. We encourage visitors to take photos only, however please do not interfere with any wildlife during your visit in the Gardens.
  • Please park in designated carparking spaces only. Camping is not permitted in the Gardens.
  • Horse riding and riding of any unauthorised vehicles through the Gardens is not permitted.

Where is the Botanic Gardens

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For more information contact the gardens.