A venue like no other

Opened to the public in May 2003, the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens surrounds a beautiful lagoon and features extensive lawns, ‘intimate’ tree surrounded glades, a boulder-strewn waterfall and a number of interesting architectural features to frame or backdrop your ceremony.

Book your ceremony with us, and we will do our utmost to make sure that the area you selected is as green and well tendered as you’d expect a beautiful garden should be!

Access

Located just 3 kilometres from the Mackay CBD, the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens is accessed via Lagoon Street, just off Nebo Road/Highway 1on the southern approach into Mackay. Our carpark adjacent to the main entrance caters for 24 vehicles plus 2 disabled parking bays and parking for 3 large buses/caravans is at the main entrance, with parking overflow along Lagoon Street and adjacent side streets. Parking for 20 vehicles is also located at the South Sea Islands Meeting Hut within the Balmoral precinct of the Botanic Gardens, for ceremonies taking place in southern areas of the Botanic Gardens. The adjacent  Ram Chandra Drive also features extra parking.

Toilet facilities are located in the main visitor centre precinct adjacent to the Administration building and at the Mackay Tourist Information Centre.

Please call us to reserve your special day!
 

Venues

We recommend 1 of 3 sites best suited to wedding functions - The Tropical Sun Garden Lawn, the Malta Garden Lawn and the Heritage Gardens - all on Lagoon Street. These sites offer easy access and parking, access to toilets, water and the Lagoon's Cafe plus the sometimes handy shelter of the Visitors Centre itself due to inclement weather.  Other current choices include a number of viewing decks and the South Sea Islands Gardens of Memories.

Marquee ceremonies  may be permitted upon application and may incur extra costs and or a bond, due to the potential impact on the Gardens and service requirements. Not all areas of the Gardens are suitable, so please contact us first to discuss your needs. The Lagoons Cafe/Grinders Corporate Catering is the only catering permitted to prepare meals on site for marquee catering.

Fees and applications

Your ceremony at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens incurs a fee of $125 (GST inclusive - prices valid from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009). This covers your use of the grounds for a 2 hour period, botanic preparation of the site and directional signage sandwich boards to help your guests be guided to the ceremony location. Any other fees incurred such as marquee and chair hire and associated set up costs are the responsibility of the hirer. Just ask us if you have any questions or special considerations.

• Applications and payments can be made at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens Administration Office (open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm - please call ahead on 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au
• or at the Mackay City Regional Customer Service Centre on Gordon Street, Mackay 
• or can also be posted and addressed to Mackay Regional Council, PO Box 41, Mackay, Q 4740. Please make out any cheques to the "Mackay Regional Council". 

Photographs taken within the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens are free of charge. To save on wedding parties ‘doubling up’ and using the same venues for a ceremony and photographs, please advise us of your planned photographic visit - even if the ceremony is not being held here.

Please note that no flower petals, rice or confetti is to be used, and no balloons are permittted. Discuss with us your ideas and we'll suggest some great ways to use the Gardens to the fullest.

Mackay - the Heart of Queensland

Mackay City features many accommodation choices along Nebo Road/Highway 1 starting just ½ a block away, with several motels within comfortable walking distance. Further afield, beachfront accommodation and island escapes off Mackay and the nearby Whitsunday's offer close and spectacular honeymoon escapes. For accommodation details, please call Mackay Tourism Limited on (07) 4944 5888 or check out their website at www.mackayregion.info  

Lagoons Cafe Wedding Receptions

The Lagoons Cafe & Gallery is open for your guests enjoyment from Wednesday to Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturday to Sunday from 9am until 4pm.

The cafe offers unique wedding receptions overlooking the lagoons and is licensed for receptions and special events (not byo).

For more information - visit the Lagoons Cafe page on our website.

Please note that marquee receptions are not permittted with the express permission of and consultation with, the Curator.

Please feel free to call us if you have any questions on (07) 4952 7300 or email: botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au