Mural Brings Mackay Gardens To Life Through Art

What began as a simple idea to brighten a rail underpass in the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens has blossomed into a vibrant, educational landmark. The ‘Connecting Gardens Through Art’ project has transformed the tunnel along Nebo Road into a stunning showcase of the region’s native plants and wildlife, offering visitors both beauty and insight as they pass through.

The mural was made possible by the Mackay Branch of Native Plants Queensland – Society for Growing Australian Plants, which secured funding through the Regional Arts Development Fund. Local mural and botanic artist Kate Brunner brought the concept to life, supported by volunteer artists from Mackay’s Botanical Art Interest Group.

Plant species depicted in the mural include the Mount Blackwood Holly, Koumala Range Actephila, Mackay Cedar, and Leichhardt Tree. Local native wildlife also features prominently, including the Ulysses butterfly, platypus, bandicoots, Barking Owl, and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos.

Maya Harrison, chairperson of the Botanical Art Interest Group, played a pivotal role in the project.

She worked on finer details, including insects and spiders, and contributed to the background painting, such as the mountains and rivers.

Mrs Harrison highlighted the importance of representing Mackay’s unique flora.

“It’s really important because the Botanic Gardens is showcasing our regional plants. The mural connects two sections of the gardens and celebrates the forest and its native life,” she said.

The project began in August last year, with extensive preparation including cleaning the walls and applying an undercoat to ensure the paint would adhere properly.

“We thought it would take a couple of months, but once we got into the details, it just kept stretching out. We were here four out of seven days most weeks,” Mrs Harrison explained.

The mural has quickly become an interactive experience for visitors, with many stopping to admire the artwork and ask questions.

The initiative was a collaborative effort from the outset, led by Pamela Finger, who secured the grant and coordinated the participating groups.

“It’s fantastic to see the project from the application stage to fruition. Connecting the gardens through art has really brought the space together,” Mrs Finger said.

Today, the mural provides a colourful and educational pathway through the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate the region’s natural beauty while enjoying an immersive artistic experience. It stands as a celebration of local flora, fauna, and community creativity, inviting everyone to stop, look, and learn.

For more information on the mural, visit Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens – Connecting Gardens Through Art.

Mayor Greg Williamson with volunteer artists Barbra, Maya, Kate, Julie and Pamela, who have transformed the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens tunnel into a vibrant showcase of local flora and fauna. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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