Media Release - Don’t Waste the Fun as a Picnic Day With a Purpose
Published on 27 May 2026
There’s something special about a community day out in North Queensland. Kids running barefoot on the grass, grandparents watching on with a smile, and neighbours catching up like no time has passed at all.
That familiar scene will unfold again on Saturday 30 May 2026, when Tasman Turtle’s Picnic Day returns to the TYTO Parklands in Ingham, bringing with it all the relaxed, family-friendly fun the event is known for — along with a gentle but important reminder: what we throw away matters.
Running from 9.00am to 2.00pm, the free community event invites families of all ages to slow down, spend time together, and learn a little more about caring for the place they call home.
At the heart of the day is a simple message: small actions add up, especially when it comes to waste and recycling.
Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said Tasman Turtle’s Picnic Day provides a meaningful way for people of all ages to learn about waste without being lectured.
“Knowing where your rubbish goes might seem like a small thing, but it makes a real difference,” Mayor Jayo said.
“When waste ends up in the wrong place, it doesn’t disappear. It often ends up in our creeks, rivers and oceans.”
This year’s event will feature a range of fun waste education activities, designed to learn by doing. Families can take part in hands-on games such as Ocean Litter Pick, where participants sort waste using litter pickers in a pool, Rubbish Ball, a recycling-themed basketball challenge, and the ever-popular Swedish fishing game Fiskdamm.
Younger visitors can enjoy storytelling sessions with Ariel the Mermaid, while curious minds of all ages can step inside the truck to see behind the scenes of how waste is collected and how recycling is separated when your red and yellow bins are picked up. An illegal dumping display will also be on show, highlighting why responsible disposal matters for the whole community.
Mayor Jayo said Council was proud to support the event as a way to showcase the many free waste and recycling initiatives available to residents. “Council offers free services like household battery collection, clear bin sorting guides, and education programs that help locals do the right thing,” he said. “Tasman Turtle’s Picnic Day is a chance to share practical tips people can take home and use every day.”
The waste education theme is closely connected to the story of Hinchinbrook’s marine turtles. Green and Flatback turtles travel thousands of kilometres to nest on local beaches, relying on clean waterways and protected coastlines to survive.
“If we want future generations to keep seeing turtles return to our shores, we all have a role to play,” Mayor Jayo said. “Sometimes it starts with something as simple as putting the right thing in the right bin.”
Event Details
What: Tasman Turtle’s Picnic Day
Where: TYTO Parklands, Ingham
When: 9.00am to 2.00pm Saturday 30 May 2026
Following Tasman Turtle’s Picnic Day:
What: Bounce Back Bash
Where: TYTO Parklands, Ingham
When: 5.00pm to 11.30pm, Saturday 30 May 2026
Featuring Pete Cullen and local favourites Last Chance. This is an 18+ event with bar and barbecue available. Limited seating provided—bring a picnic blanket or enjoy the dance floor. This Bounce Back Bash is proudly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Commonwealth–state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in association with Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
Tickets are $10 plus booking fee by visiting Hinchinbrook Tickets.