Event Guide 18 May

Friday 16th May

Cowboy Dressage Mackay Gathering And Show
From 7.30am
The Cowboy Dressage Mackay Gathering and Show invites riders to compete in a celebration of horsemanship, community, and Cowboy Dressage values. Held at the Undercover Arena and judged by Tanja Kraus, the event will feature a wide range of classes and awards across Open, Amateur, and Junior divisions. With ribbon, buckle, and honorary awards on offer, the event highlights skill, presentation, and partnership between horse and rider. Visit www.mandyprobyn-equineconnection.com for more details.
Mackay Showgrounds

Crochet & Conversation
9am
Join a welcoming morning of crochet, coffee, and conversation with Northern Beaches locals at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Bring your own tools or borrow from the communal box. All skill levels welcome—just look for the yarn to find the table. Connection and creativity guaranteed.
Bucasia Beachfront Bar and Restaurant

Mackay North State High School MayFair
5pm
Mackay North State High School will host its Annual May Fair on Friday, May 17, from 5pm to 8pm. The event will feature Bills Amusement Rides, a monster auction, cent sale, cake stall, plant stall, BBQ, and a variety of food stalls. Open to the wider community, the May Fair offers a family-friendly evening filled with entertainment and activities, with all proceeds supporting the school’s programs and initiatives.
Mackay North State High School

Conversation Dungeons and Dragons
5.30pm
Join a unique tabletop gaming adventure where fantasy meets conservation! This beginner-friendly, one-shot D&D event features nature-inspired characters, eco-themed quests, and an experienced Dungeon Master. Enjoy snacks, a relaxed vibe, and the chance to save fantasy ecosystems. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $10, available online or cash on the night. Perfect for both seasoned players and newcomers—an unforgettable, nature-themed gaming experience awaits!
Mackay Conservation Group, 156 Wood Street, Mackay

LIVE Music
6-9pm
Enjoy LIVE music every Friday at Ocean International – it’s a performance you won’t want to miss! Pizzas & tapas available on the deck! Call 4957 2044 to make your booking!
Ocean International

Friday Guided Walks
10am
Join a leisurely guided walk through the Botanic Gardens every Friday from 10 am to 11 am. Explore the plants and features of the gardens with an expert guide. The walks are FREE and start at the Visitor Information Centre (opposite the café). Be sure to bring a hat, water bottle, and comfortable shoes.
Mackay Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre.

Saturday 17th May

Pilates With Katrina
7am
Join Pilates with Katrina on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. The 1st Saturday is at Mantra Mackay Harbour, and the 3rd Saturday is opposite Laffos, Caneland. Bring your mat and $5 for a great workout!
Laffos Bar & Pizzeria

Market Stalls/Car Boot Sale
8am
Kuttabul Hotel Australia will host Saturday Market/boot car sales starting on 17th May 2025, held every third Saturday of the month. Vendors can secure a 3x3m stall or car boot for $20. For an application form, please send a private message to Sally’s Curry Hut on Facebook.
Kuttabul Pub

Daisy Day At Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
8.30am
Join the Garden Friends for the annual Daisy Day Planting on Saturday, May 17. Help plant 1,200 Golden Everlasting Daisies starting at 8:30am. Wear closed-in shoes, a hat, and gardening gloves, and meet at the Garden Friends Gazebo on the Lagoon Outlook Deck. For more details or to RSVP, text 0436 331 009 or email mackayrbgfriends@gmail.com.
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Biggest Morning Tea
9.30am
Join for a cuppa and a chat at the Memorial Pool on Saturday, May 17, starting at 9:30am. For a gold coin donation (pool entry fee if swimming), support those impacted by cancer. The theme is "Best Hat" (fancy or crazy). Bring a plate to share, along with extra cash for fun games and awesome raffles. Swimmers, non-swimming friends, and family are all welcome!
Mackay Memorial Swimming Centre

Mackay Kart Club Sugar City Titles
6am-9pm
Catch high-octane kart racing at Mackay's own track for Round 4. Most classes will qualify, followed by three heats and a Deadman final to determine who steps onto the podium. Spectator entry is free for a fun day of entertainment.
21 Grants Rd, Palmyra

Sunday 18th May  April

Eimeo Triathlon
6.30am
The Eimeo Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike & Aquathlon is on! Join the action on race day with events for all ages and abilities. Check-in starts at 6:30 am, with kids' races kicking off at 7:30 am and adult races following. Categories include Mini Kids (5-11), Enticer (Solo 12+, Team 10+), Sprint (Solo 14+, Team 12+), and more. Don't miss the Laura Pettifer Trophy for the fastest Sprint Female!
Eimeo Surf Club

Come and Try Dragon Boating
8.30am
Come and try dragon boating for FREE! The event is open to all, with paddles and fun provided – all you need to bring is yourself. Paddle around the beautiful Marina and enjoy a great time on the water. For any questions, feel free to message. See you there!
Mackay Harbour Marina

BMA CQ Rescue – Emergency Services Day
9am
Join the 2025 BMA CQ Rescue Emergency Services Day on May 18th at Harrup Park! Enjoy a fun-filled community day featuring police motorbikes, fire trucks, rescue helicopters, and more! There will be educational exhibits, hands-on demos, kids' entertainment, and more. Entry is a gold coin donation to support the rescue helicopter. Don't miss out on this exciting family event!
Harrup Park

Live Music At The Pinnacle
11.30am-3pm
Enjoy live music from 11:30 am to 3pm! Indulge in delicious pies, crumbed steak, and in-house sweets for a perfect day out with great food and tunes.
Pinnace Family Hotel

Monday 19th May

Monday Night At Goosies
From 6.30pm
Join the fun at Goosies this Monday night for an exciting Texas Hold'em Poker Freezeout event! For just $20, you'll start with a 30k stack, with the option to add on another 25k for $10 during registration. There’s also a $10 optional LMS. Registration starts at 6:30pm, with the game beginning at 7:00pm. Late registration is available until 8:20pm, with early bird registration until 7:00 PM. Everyone is welcome!
Goosies Sport & Recreation Club

Tuesday 20th May

BMA Playfest
9am
The community is invited to join the Northern Beaches Community Playgroup for BMA PLAYFEST at Bucasia Esplanade, celebrating World Bee Day and Under 8s Week. The event will feature live music by Kathleen Campbell, a native plant giveaway by Pioneer Catchment Landcare, free face painting by Let's Just Face It Entertainment, and activities for children. With thanks to BMA’s support, this is a great opportunity for families to connect, have fun, and enjoy a morning out.
Bucasia Esplanade

Information Workshop – Menopause & Prostate Health
12.15pm
Women's Health Physio Mackay is hosting an informative workshop on menopause and prostate health at the Avanti Health Centre in Mackay on May 20th at 12:15 pm. The session will provide valuable insights, strategies, and tools to help participants maintain an active lifestyle without being hindered by these health challenges. This workshop is an excellent opportunity to get informed, empowered, and support each other on this journey.
Avanti Health Centre Mackay

Thursday 22nd May

Lamberts Beach Clean Up
3pm
Join the community for a beach clean-up at Lambert’s Beach on May 4th and help improve ocean health. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, meet like-minded individuals, and tackle ocean litter together. Participants are encouraged to bring a hat, water bottle, enclosed shoes, and sun-smart clothing. For more information, contact Leah at lscoble@cva.org.au or 0436 335 037. This event is proudly supported by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).
Illawong Beach

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