Sarina

Sarina Sugar Shed: Australia's only fully operational miniature sugar mill and distillery. Take a tour and watch the complex process of turning sugar canes into granules. There are also multimedia presentations and a novelty shop on-site; closed Sun; Railway Sq. Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre: excellent variety of local art and craft as well as visitor centre; Bruce Hwy. 'Field of Dreams' Historical Centre: local industry history and memorabilia; open 10am–2pm Tues, Wed and Fri; Railway Sq.

Cape Palmerston National Park This remote park features rugged coastal landscapes of headlands, swamps and sand dunes. Watch for the soaring sea eagles overhead or the birdlife around the swamp. There are spots for bush camping. The park has no official walking tracks, but the outlook from the cape is spectacular. 4WD recommended. (07) 4944 7800; 46 km SE via Ilbilbie.Beaches: including Grasstree and Half Tide beaches to the north-east (Grasstree hosts annual bike race; date depends on tidal conditions); also Sarina Beach (east), popular for boating, fishing and swimming, with a lookout over the coast, and Armstrong Beach (south), great for swimming, prawning and fishing. Hay Point Lookout: viewing gallery at Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay coal terminal complex – informative video and excellent views; 12 km N. Salonika Beach: attractive beach with amazing wildlife, including loggerhead turtles and whales in season; adjacent to Hay Point Lookout. Lake Barfield: picnic area and bird sanctuary; 12 km N. Carmila: small town with beach just to the east. Visit the nearby Flaggy Rock Exotic Fruit Garden for delicious ice-cream; 65 km S. Clairview: popular spot for beach fishing and crabbing; 73 km S. St Lawrence: once a major port, this town is now a historical tribute to past days with many historic buildings and the remains of the wharf; 110 km S.

Pioneer River 47 km

Fishing from a canoe is one of the best ways to get close and personal with the environment. Even when the fish are small, catching them from a canoe is both challenging and rewarding. With that in mind, I jumped at the... Find out more

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Teemburra Dam 62 km

Mackay has excellent freshwater options. The most popular venues are the region’s dams in the Pioneer Valley – Teemburra, Eungella and Kinchant. Of these, the best known is Teemburra in Eungella National... Find out more

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Seaforth 64 km

Seaforth is about an hour’s drive north of Mackay, depending on cane harvester traffic. The small seaside resort is remarkable in that it hasn’t yet been overrun by developers, although that is changing... Find out more

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Lake Proserpine 147 km

The closed season for barramundi in Queensland runs from November to February, but some of the best barra waters are exempt and this includes the fabulous Lake Proserpine, often called Peter Faust Dam, 26 km east of... Find out more

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Waterpark Creek 228 km

Unlike its namesake Corio Bay at Geelong in Victoria, best known for its snapper and King George whiting, Corio Bay in north Queensland produces trevally, barramundi, threadfin salmon and a host of other tropical... Find out more

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Yeppoon 247 km

Yeppoon, about 30 mins drive north-east of Rockhampton, is the main port for visitors wanting to go to the Keppel Islands. In the harbour at Rosslyn Bay I met up with fourth-generation cattle producer Richard Wilson and... Find out more

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Wildlife tours - Rockhampton to Townsville 131 km

Proserpine River Eco Tours runs an eco-accredited all-day wildlife safari in which you have a fairly good chance of seeing saltwater crocodiles, agile wallabies, mud crabs and frillnecked lizards. The tour combines a... Find out more

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Camping - Whitsundays and Keppel Islands 131 km

If you want to camp on one of the Whitsunday Islands but do not want to kayak and do not own a boat, Camping Whitsundays and Island Camping Connections run a drop-off and pickup service, supply camping gear and food if... Find out more

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Hiking the Whitsundays Great Walk 132 km

In the past few years a 30-kilometre walking track – the Whitsundays Great Walk – has been established, from Brandy Creek to Airlie Beach, through Conway State Forest. The two main camps, Repulse Creek and... Find out more

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Picnicking around Bowen and Mackay 185 km

There is plenty of shade to go around at Mullers Lagoon in Bowen, a 24-hectare parkland with botanic gardens, wetlands, a bird hide and free barbecues. The lush Botanic Gardens at Mackay are also recommended.... Find out more

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Hamilton Island Golf Club 121 km

When Hamilton Island was being built in the 1980s it was a playground of the rich and famous. The island’s owner and developer, Keith Williams, knew a golf course would add to the tourism value of his island... Find out more

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Capricorn Resort (Championship course) 241 km

The late 1980s and early ’90s were days of a course building boom in Queensland, on the Gold Coast especially. But one developer, the Japan-based Iwasaki Group, chose a relatively isolated location near Yeppoon,... Find out more

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Clarke Bay campsite 29 km

Picnic tables are the only facilities at this campground west of Cape Palmerston. Campers will need to bring all self-sufficient goods and equipment. Access is by 4WD only via a sandy track. Note: remove all rubbish from... Find out more

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Cape Creek campsite 31 km

Cape Creek is to the south-west of Cape Palmerston. For self-sufficient campers, it is accessed with 4WD only via a sandy track. The site is gas/fuel stove only.... Find out more

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Windmill Bay campsite 32 km

This basic site for self-sufficient campers is south of Cape Palmerston on the eastern edge of the park. Access is by 4WD only via a sandy track. The site is gas/fuel stove only.... Find out more

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Kinchant Waters 40 km

Popular with waterskiiers and anglers, this 4 ha campground is part of the Kinchent Waters Leisure Resort, offering a range of accommodation options including cabins and backpacker rooms, plus a bar, restaurant and... Find out more

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Captain’s Crossing camping area 58 km

Camp beside lovely Teemburra Creek at this campground and picnic spot. There are no facilities; bring all self-sufficient supplies including drinking water and firewood (a gas/fuel stove is preferred). Access is by 4WD... Find out more

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Smalleys Beach camping area 60 km

The gravel road to Smalleys Beach is signposted about 6 km along Cape Hillsborough Rd, 50 km north-west of Mackay. The campground offers plenty of shade under eucalypt trees and there are 11 numbered sites. The nearby... Find out more

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Ball Bay Campground 61 km

Ball Bay is a basic campground (no powered sites) off Cape Hillsborough Rd, about 48 km north of Mackay. Camping attendants visit the site daily to collect fees. Mackay is on the Bruce Hwy,  about 125 km south of... Find out more

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Seaforth camping reserve 63 km

This campground is 45 km north of Mackay along the Seaforth–Yakapari Rd. It has coin-operated showers, firewood is supplied, and camping attendants visit the site daily to collect fees. Mackay is on the Bruce Hwy... Find out more

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Outer Newry Island 70 km

This campground is on the island’s south-west coast. If you’re lucky you might see some amazing birdlife on Outer Newry Island, including brahminy kites, ospreys and white-bellied sea eagles. Campers should... Find out more

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Carlisle Island 70 km

Bush camping is permitted on Carlisle Island, part of Brampton Islands National Park off the coast of Mackay. A gas barbecue, toilets and picnic shelters are the only facilities so bring all self-sufficient supplies. The... Find out more

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The Park Mackay 27 km

This is a large park and the tourist van sites are at the rear, furthest away from the highway. There are good facilities and it is a popular base for travellers. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Andergrove Van Park 35 km

Sweeping lawns are visible as you enter this excellent park set in a quiet, off-road position with easy access from the Bruce Highway. It has good features at a reasonable price and is an ideal base for exploring the... Find out more

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Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort 58 km

This park within Cape Hillsborough National Park offers camping and caravan sites and is a great spot for a break. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Seaforth Camping Area 63 km

This is a popular open camping area right on the beachfront in the heart of the small town.... Find out more

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St Helens Gardens Caravan Park 73 km

A basic park with good facilities, this place is set back from the highway beside Kolijo Creek, 1 km south of the Calen Post Office. This is a good overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Travellers Rest Caravan and Camping Park 99 km

There are no more sandflies or midges at Midge Point than elsewhere, but there is a lovely beachside caravan park with lawns, large shady trees and a host of other great features. We really enjoy staying here. Bookings... Find out more

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O’Connell River Whitsunday Tourist Park 113 km

Located alongside the highway 22 km south of Proserpine, this place has good basic facilities and is for an overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Proserpine Tourist Park 131 km

In a quiet off-highway part of Proserpine, this is a very neat park that adjoins the town swimming pool, golf course and bowling green. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Flametree Tourist Village 135 km

This is a well-known park in the heart of a popular holiday destination. Enjoy the pool, covered barbecues and other features. This is a good place at a reasonable price in this busy coastal strip. Bookings are required... Find out more

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BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 137 km

This is a top quality park in an exceptionally popular holiday destination. The park has many features including a kids club, a tennis court and minigolf. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay... Find out more

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Sarina Park Area 2 km

South side of town Large parking area just off the highway behind the roadhouse. Good shade. GPS: S21 26.183 E149 13.387  ... Find out more

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Palm Tree Creek Park Area 55 km

34 km N of Mackay (L) or 90 km S of Proserpine (R) Small area adjacent to the highway around a few trees. Good shade. GPS: S21 01.676 E148 53.572... Find out more

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Smalleys Beach Camp Area 60 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Small area on the beach among dense coastal vegetation 1.5 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 5.5 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) in Cape... Find out more

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Ball Bay Camp Area 62 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Very small grassy campground on the foreshore 2 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 4 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) at the end of the road... Find out more

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Seaforth Camp Area 63 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Large foreshore campground located 23 kilometres east of the highway at the end of the road into the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 54.074 E148... Find out more

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St Helens Beach Camp Area 75 km

T/O 54 km N of Mackay (R) or 70 km S of Proserpine (L) Small campground located 13 kilometres east of the highway on the foreshore at the south end of the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 50.426 E148... Find out more

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Clairview Rest Area 83 km

North end of town Small area on the foreshore via the service road. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S22 06.357 E149 31.634... Find out more

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St Lawrence Camp Area 108 km

T/O 177 km N of Rockhampton (R) or 157 km S of Mackay (L)   Large area 5 kilometres east of the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S22 20.993 E149 31.272... Find out more

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Waverley Creek Rest Area 116 km

169 km N of Rockhampton (R) or 165 km S of Mackay (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S22 26.361 E149 28.516... Find out more

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