SARINA
Located at the foothills of the Connors Range, Sarina Shire is a relatively unspoiled area, which has retained much of its natural charm, while having developed into a thriving business area. Enjoy the shires country hospitality, beautiful beaches, scenic mountain ranges, prime fishing and prawning.
Sarina is located 32 km south of Mackay and 15 m above sea level. It is a small sugar town. Consequently the attractions of the region tend to be around the town rather than within it. The main attraction in the town is the alcohol distillery at the local sugar mill - and this is industrial alcohol, not the sort of stuff which can be imbibed at the local pub.
The town is split by the Bruce Highway which runs down the main street. There is a pleasant median strip with tropical flowers, trees and bushes.
Today the heart of the town's economy is Plane Creek Mill and the Australian National Power Alcohol Company Pty Ltd (Sarina Distillery), which opened in 1927 and processes molasses which it buys from the sugar mills in the area. It was the first alcohol distillery in Australia and is now one of the biggest.
The town is surrounded by a number of interesting parks and reserves including Mount Blarney Environmental Park (west of the town), Mount Hector Environmental Park (northeast of the town) and Cape Palmerston (southeast of the town). Cape Palmerston is of particular interest as it covers 32 km of coastline and has areas ranging from mangrove swamps to thickly vegetated sand dunes and the volcanic Mount Funnel Range.
Sarina is the main town in an area which stretches across to the coast and includes Sarina Beach - a rapidly developing holiday destination.
Like most thriving country towns Sarina has golf, bowls, tennis, rugby league, soccer, basketball stadium and gymnasium.
Local facilities and services include a number of Hotels and Motels, Caravan Parks, Restaurants, Leagues Club, RSL, Doctor Surgeries, Chemists, Hospital, Ambulance Service, Police Station, Post Office, Library and Surf Lifesaving Club.
SARINA BEACH
Sarina Beach, just a few minutes from Sarina, has ample facilities including a Surf Lifesaving Club, boat ramp, service station/store, picnic area, and a lookout offering spectacular views. The beach is patrolled seasonally by the local Surf Lifesaving Club. Motel style accommodation is also available. Fishing and boating are very popular at Sarina Beach as well.
CAMPWIN BEACH
Campwin Beach, located just minutes from Sarina Beach has golden sandy beaches with its own boat ramp and a spectacular lookout.
GRASSTREE BEACH
Grasstree Beach has 2 kilometres of unspoiled beach, various playgound equipment, walking track, covered and uncovered seating areas, BBQ facilities, toilets and showers, boat ramp, general corner store, renowned "Grasstree Beach Seafood" shop & take away.
ARMSTRONG BEACH & FRESHWATER POINT
Armstrong Beach is located just south of Sarina looking east over Llewellyn Bay and is a popular prawning, fishing and crabbing area with facilities including a picnic area, boat ramp, caravan park accommodation and Community Hall.
Freshwater Point is a small village located next to Armstrong Beach. The area is recognised for the presence of artefacts and other aboriginal cultural heritage items including fish traps and shell middens.
SALONIKA BEACH
Located North of Sarina, delightful Salonika Beach is the destination for many holiday makers and Sarina residents.
There is unit accommodation available at Salonika Beach at the southern end which also has a licensed restaurant. At Salonika Beach there are sea eagles, rare sightings of loggerhead turtles, echidnas, bush turkeys and on occasion, seasonal whales and dolphins.
Salonika Beach also offers BBQ facilities, carpark, picnic area, Licensed Restaurant, Shops (service station, takeaway/store, newsagent, bakery & hair salon) and boat ramp.
Salonika also gives you easy access to Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal complex which is the largest coal export facility in the Southern Hemisphere, with a total capacity of over 50 million tonnes per annum.
KOUMALA
Koumala is known as a small country community located south of Sarina on the Bruce Highway with facilities including Post Office, Shop/Service Station and the "Koumala Pub". There is also schooling available from Pre-School to Year 7.
CARMILA
Carmila is situated approximately 96 kilometres south of Mackay on the Bruce Highway. Carmila offers a 24 hour roadhouse, hotel, caravan park, general store, post office, library, Ambulance Service and Police Station and is a major sporting and social centre for the surrounding cane farms.
Carmila beach is only six kilometres from the town with camping facilities and a boat ramp. Carmila has a school with education to Grade 7 and an occasional childcare service.
CLAIRVIEW
Clairview is approximately 123 kilometres south of Mackay city. Wet a line at Clairview Beach while sitting back and enjoying the view... you might even see a dugong or two. Clairview is a popular fishing and crabbing village with camping permitted in designated areas and caravan park with full facilities and boat ramp. During the winter months, local groups sell arts and crafts and offer morning teas and soups.
