The Aussie themed events will take place on Australia Day, 2023 (Thursday, January 26) at thirteen different locations around the region. From barefoot bowls and live music at Seaforth to dinghy sailing and a sausage sizzle at Kinchant Dam, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.

For more information and event organiser contact details, see the list of events below:

AUSTRALIA DAY CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY

Hosted by: Mackay Regional Council
When: 10am, Thursday, January 26 (registration opens at 9am)
Where: MECC auditorium
What’s happening: Mayor Greg Williamson will welcome more than 90 new citizens at the MECC. Please note this event is invite only.
For more information, call 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

AUSTRALIA DAY AT ARMSTRONG BEACH

Hosted by: Armstrong Beach Area Progress Association
When: 2pm – 8pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Llewellyn Hall, 252 Armstrong Beach Rd, Armstrong Beach
What’s happening: Enjoy a true-blue family fun day including egg and spoon races, sack races, thong throwing, cricket, darts, jumbo water slide, jumping castle, live music and BBQ.
For more information, call 0439 716 654 or email [email protected]

AUSSIE DAY AT EIMEO BEACH

Hosted by: Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club
When: 11am – 2pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Eimeo Beach
What’s happening: Activities will include family sand castle competition, Aussie beach flags, vegemite face painting competition, thong throwing, prizes, water slide and live music.
For more information, call 4969 6680 or email [email protected]

AUSTRALIA DAY BEACH PARTY

Hosted by: Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club
When: 10am – 4pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club, Harbour Beach, Mackay Harbour
What’s happening: Dive into Australia Day and bring the kids to this amazing Aussie themed event with water slide, live music, beach volley ball and beach cricket, tug-of-war, thong throwing competition and more! Food and drinks available to purchase from the Club beach café.
For more information, email [email protected].or [email protected]

AUSTRALIA DAY THE HABANA WAY

Hosted by: Habana and Districts Progress Association
When: 3pm – 7pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Habana Community Precinct, 1091 Mackay-Habana Rd
What’s happening: Community picnic (BYO) and traditional Australia Day activities including sand castle building on our “borrowed” beach, backyard cricket, inflatable water play, lamington eating, tug-of-war, live band and thong throwing. Drinks and meat pies will be available for sale. Find out about local groups you can join while at the event including craft, rural fire and Tai Chi. Habana community spirit award announced at event.
For more information, visit Habana Progress Association’s Facebook page or call Palmina on 0403 729 505.

FINCH HATTON AUSSIE DAY CELEBRATION

Hosted by: Finch Hatton Progress Association
When: 10am – 3pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Finch Hatton Showgrounds, Finch Hatton
What’s happening: Celebrate Australia Day in style at the Finch Hatton community event. Activities will include BBQ, jumping castle, community game of cricket, kids games and awards for local heroes.
For more information, email [email protected]

GO OZ WITH LAWN BOWLS

Hosted by: Mackay Bowling Club
When: 9am – 4pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Mackay Bowling Club, Nebo Road, Mackay
What’s happening: Join in the fun at this ripper free community event. Start your day with an Aussie Breakfast at 9am and for the inexperienced bowler join us for a circuit of novelty bowling activities and barefoot bowls with specialty Australiana prizes from 9.30am until 11.30am. Then relax with a lamington and party pie. For the more experienced bowler a three bowl triples carnival will start at 1pm with cash prizes up for grabs. To nominate for any of these events please phone Mackay Bowling Club on 4957 3571.
For more information, email [email protected]

MACKAY CONTRACT BRIDGE OPEN DAY

Hosted by: Mackay Contract Bridge
When: 10am – 3pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Mackay Contract Bridge Club House, 414 Shakespeare St, West Mackay
What’s happening: Fun introduction to the game of contract bridge including lessons and demonstration. BBQ lunch will be provided with soft drinks, tea and coffee. Come along and meet the team!
For more information, email [email protected]

MACKAY JUNIOR MOTOCROSS COME AND TRY

Hosted by: Mackay Junior Motocross
When: 8:30am – 1pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Diggertech Park, 2 Hume St, Mackay CBD
What’s happening: Get down and dirty this Australia Day at the Mackay Junior Motocross come and try event! Activities will include jumping castle, slip and slide and sausage sizzle. Bullet Bikes Superstore will be kindly providing some motorbikes for the come and try.
For more information, email Steve at [email protected]

SAIL AWAY ON AUSTRALIA DAY

Hosted by: Mackay Sailing Club
When: 11am – 3pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: “Sailor’s corner”, Kinchant Dam Road, KInchant Dam
What’s happening: Fly the flag this Australia Day with a fun filled sailing adventure at Kinchant Dam. The event will include a free sausage sizzle, fun races, heaps of prizes and a commodore’s sail past. We encourage anyone who already has a sailing dinghy to dust it off and join in the fun. All members of the general public are welcome to participate. Flag raising starts at 11am.
For more information, call Matt on 0413 112 427 or email [email protected]

ST HELENS BEACH AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATION

Hosted by: St Helens Beach Progress and Environment Association Inc.
When: 9:30am – 3:30pm, Thursday, January 26
Where: Repulse Esplanade, St Helens Beach
What’s happening: Activities will include live music, face painting, vintage tractor display and competitions including sandcastle building, Aussie trivia, dunny toss and cast net throwing. There will also be a sausage sizzle thanks to Calen Butchers.
For more information, Call 0499 013 016 or email [email protected]