Sarina Sugar Shed
Australia's only small-scale demonstration sugar mill, showing the full process from sugarcane to sugar, syrup, and rum, with tastings.
The Mackay region produces about one-third of Australia's cane sugar. Sarina Sugar Shed is a visitable micro sugar mill and distillery. A guided tour of about one hour covers the history of sugarcane growing and live demonstrations of crushing, boiling, and crystallising. It ends with tastings of raw sugar, syrup, liqueurs, and rum. Tickets cost about AUD 30 and are sold for scheduled sessions. The site is usually closed on Sundays. It is located in the centre of Sarina, about 37 km south of Mackay. During the crushing season (June to November), you can see narrow-gauge cane trains and burning cane fields along the roadside.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat approx. 09:00–17:00; tours by session (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
- Mackay Art Deco CBD
- Bluewater Lagoon
- Mackay Marina & Harbour Beach
- Greenmount Homestead
- Lamberts Lookout
- Cape Hillsborough National Park
- Finch Hatton Gorge