Event Guide

Saturday 19^th September

BMA Mackay Triathlon Festival

Saturday 19^th & Sunday 20^th  

The BMA Mackay Triathlon Festival returns this weekend for two days of racing and community fun along Mackay’s coastline. The festival brings together athletes, families and fitness enthusiasts for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, open water swimming and a mini kids triathlon. From beginners to experienced competitors, participants can take part in a range of events in a welcoming, community-focused environment, with the Standard Distance Triathlon featuring a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

Mackay Surf Life Saving Club, Mackay Harbour  

Ekphrastic Writing Club

1pm

Artspace Mackay will host its September Ekphrastic Writing Club this Saturday, offering a free and relaxed session for writers and anyone wanting to explore their creative skills. Participants will take a ‘slow look’ at a selected artwork in the main gallery before responding to it through writing and discussion. The session is suitable for experienced writers and beginners, providing a quiet and supportive space to explore ekphrastic writing, a creative practice inspired by visual art. Participants are asked to bring a pen and notebook.

Artspace Mackay  

Behind the Figures Exhibition

5.30pm

The Just Saying Project will open Behind the Figures this Saturday, a free exhibition exploring women’s experiences of body image, confidence and self-perception through the work of eight local visual artists. The exhibition draws on original research involving more than 100 women, with artists interpreting stories and statistics around body image and the impact it can have on women’s lives. Opening night will also mark the first official exhibition at JSP Home of Women’s Stories, with the exhibition continuing through November.

Shop 5, 31 Wood Street, Mackay

Monday 21^st September

Yarnbomb Mackay  

9.30am

Yarnbomb Mackay invites locals to join its community knitting and crochet sessions, creating colourful installations for Mackay City Heart. Held at Jamaica Blue Sydney Street Markets, the free sessions welcome all ability levels, including beginners, with participants able to learn new skills while chatting with fellow crocheters over a cuppa. All materials are provided, making it a relaxed way to get involved in a creative community project and help add some colour to the Mackay city centre.

Jamaica Blue Sydney St Markets, Gordon Street, Mackay

What Is AI? Information Session  

10am

Mackay Regional Council Libraries will host an introductory session on Artificial Intelligence this Monday, offering locals a simple and practical look at how AI is becoming part of everyday life. The session will explore what AI is, how it works, different types of AI and examples of how it is used, along with its benefits and potential risks including privacy, misinformation, bias and ethical concerns. Attendees will also learn tips for using AI safely and responsibly. The session is suitable for beginners and anyone curious about AI.

Dudley Denny City Library, Mackay

Tuesday 22^nd September

Walk & Talk Book Club  

8am

The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens will host its Walk & Talk Book Club this Tuesday, combining reading, gentle exercise and conversation in the gardens. The group meets fortnightly to walk and chat about a new title, with members able to stay afterwards for a social coffee. A new book is selected each month, with discussions held throughout the month. Participants are asked to bring sensible walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Wednesday 23^rd September

Games On The Lawn  

10am

Mackay Regional Council Libraries will bring Games on the Lawn to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens this Wednesday, with locals invited to enjoy a relaxed morning of outdoor games with family and friends. A range of games will be available to play, including Bag Toss, Giant Jenga, Backyard Dice, Bocce Ball and Four in a Row. The free activity is a simple way to get outdoors, enjoy some friendly competition and spend time together at the gardens.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

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