Destinations

Mackay.

Producing over one third of the nations sugar crop,Mackay is the sugar capital of Australia.It became a major port in 1939, and has one of the largest artificial harbours in Australia.The bulk sugar terminal is the largest in the world. Other industries that are also important to the local economy are timber, grain, beef cattle ,dairy-farming, tropical fruit growing and seafood.There is a large coal loading terminal at Hay Point which handles all of the production from the Central Queensland Coalfields.

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Transport.

Boulder Creek.

Historical Buildings are aplenty, including the Old Courthouse built in 1838 and the Police Station built in 1885. Many of the Listed Buildings can be seen if you take the City Heritage Walk.Lasting for approx. an hour the walk takes in 21 historical sites and brochures are obtainable at the Tourist Information Centre. There are 31 beaches in the Mackay area, and one in Cape Hillsborough National Park is quite spectacular , as the rainforest almost reaches the sea at this point.

Dining.

Nightlife.

The City Heart.

Enjoy a visit to Mackay and join the crowds of visitors, not only tourists, but Australian families who travel regularly from anywhere within a 200 mile radius to satisfy their shopping needs. First time visitors can pop in to the Visitor Information Centre located in The Town Hall to aquire brochures and leaflets pertaining to the many attractions offered by this charming city. The Heritage walk is one of the attractions that take in a pleasant stroll around the Heritage Listed Buildings that sit on the banks of The Pioneer River which is the lifeblood of The City.
Sydney, Wood and Victoria Streets are the sites for a number of Art Deco Style buildings that enhance the City Centre with their colourful facades. Victoria St. is also home to The Horizons Mosaic Walk that encompasses an outdoor exhibition of sculptures, terazzio images, bronze plaques and mosaics that were completed in 1993 by members of the local community. Five Themes, The Rainforest, The Pioneer Valley, The Reef, The Coast, and The Islands are depicted in this Historical Exhibition of Mackay and it's past.

Artspace Mackay, the regional art gallery and museum is in the centre of the city. This architecturally award winning building provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the people and history of Mackay through the Mementoes of Mackay exhibition.

Cruises.

Adventure.

Museums.

Every Saturday The Flea Markets are held at the Mackay Showgrounds and on Sundays the City Market is held in Victoria St. in the City Centre. Walkers Markets are open Saturday and Sunday at Harbour Rd. throughout the year and Paxtons River St. Markets are held every second Sunday in the month, so Mackay is the place for bargains on the weekends.

Popular Beaches.

The Mackay Region has many fabulous beaches to accommodate the visitor including The City beaches of Ilawong,Harbour and Lamberts at Slade Point. Favourite beaches in Northern Mackay include Blacks, Bucasia,Shoal Point and Eimeo beaches.The latter being a favourite for the Eimeo Hotel perched on the top of the cliffs. Sunset views to the Hinterland are magnificent ,as are the daytime views over Bucasia, Dolphin Heads and the Southern Cumberland Islands.

Hinterland.

Take a drive out West of the City on the way to Eungella National Park and you arrive at Finch Hatton Gorge. During the hot summer months this area is a favourite of the locals. A forest walk brings you to two waterfalls. Araluen and Wheels of Fire are a couple of spots where you can cool down and take a dip in the cool waters. Further to the west ,The Eungella National Park provides walking trails and a Sky Window Lookout that provides views for miles. Platypus can be seen early morning and late afternoon at Broken River on occasions.

Close to Mackay we have 2 Islands that are of interest to visitors. Brampton is the Resort Island and unfortunately the Resort is not open to day trippers but you can grab a day cruise from Mackay and traverse the walking trails on the island which is almost entirely 100% National Park.

The Islands.

Carlisle Island is close by and is very secluded. The island has magnificent Melaluca Forests and affords the visitor with some basic camping facilities.
Further afield are Keswick and St. Bees Islands. St.Bees is Keswick's close neighbour and is home to a colony of Koalas.

Sarina

Located in the foothills of the Connors Range, Sarina has a population of over 3,800 with a total shire population of approximately 9,400.The town is situated on the Bruce Highway, 37 klms South of Mackay and 307 klms North of Rockhampton, and is noted for it's wide main street with shady lawned centre plantations. The area now know as the Sarina Shire was first noticed and reported by Captain Blackwood of HMS Fly, while making a survey of the coast in 1843. The ship's naturalist, Mr. Jukes was so impressed with the country, that his favourable description influenced John Mackay to explore the district in 1860. The area became part of Plane Creek Station until Sarina's first settlers, Henry Bell and Edmund and Richard Atherton selected specific tracts of land for pastoral purposes. A township began to develop at Michelmores Hill, just north of the present site consisting of a hotel, store, and blacksmith's shop.When the Plane Creek Mill was erected in 1895, these original buildings were transferred to the town of Sarina we know today.

This charming sugar town offers an excellent base from which to explore the Shire's beaches. The town has a well manicured Golf Course, full Sporting facilities, pleasant Parks, Medical and Hospital Services,School facilities from Kindergarten to Year 12 level, and a wide range of Shopping facilities. Right on the doorstep of Sarina lies a host of picturesque sandy beaches,as well as many offshore islands, most within easy reach for the boaties. Mountain ranges provide an exciting contrast, boasting spectacular views of the surrounding area. The largest coal exporting facility in The Southern Hemisphere at Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay make Sarina a focal point for coal development.while sugar cane farming, sugar milling, dairying, grazing, mariculture and Queensland's largest power alcohol plant provide further development for the region.

The Surprising Region.

The Sarina Region offers both tourist and prospective developers alike an exciting and unique opportunity to explore a relatively unspoilt area which has maintained most of it's original charm. The surprise of the region unfolds as the many facets are discovered throughout the district-from the beautiful beaches and coastline to the scenic mountain ranges and National Parkland. You'll be amazed that one area can encompass such a variety of resources, attracting all future growth and development potential.
So, if it's a relaxed, carefree experience you are searching for, take the time to discover The Sarina Surprise.