Take A Yesteryear Stroll In Sarina

Have you discovered Sarina’s Heritage Walking Trail?

Launched in 2021 as part of Mackay’s contribution to the 2021 National Trust Heritage Festival, the online trail includes 11 stops, ranging from the State Heritage-listed Sarina Air Raid Shelter to the Sarina Pie Cart.

1. SARINA RAILWAY STATION

Sarina could first be reached by rail in 1915 when the large wooden station was erected. In the early days of rail in Sarina, local services ran by rail motors, which provided passengers with their own train to Mackay, or the choice of joining the longer distance trip to Carmila. Today, the railway building serves as the Mackay Region’s state-of the-art Visitor Information Centre. The centre is open seven days a week from 9am to 3pm. Take a step inside to see the inside of this historic building and use the latest technology.

2. SARINA BAKERY BUILDING

Constructed in 1936 the bakery was the first two-storey masonry building to be built in Sarina. The original “Sarina Bakery” lettering remains visible on the parapet of the original portion today and the bakery use continues in the 1950s extension to the building. The bakery is important in demonstrating the growth and success of Sarina during the Interwar period, and the trend towards masonry buildings following the 1918 cyclone and 1924 fire in Broad Street.

3. SARINA WAR MEMORIAL

This State Heritage-listed Sarina War memorial was erected in 1919 with a public ceremony held. The cenotaph was erected as a tribute to the people of the shire who lost their lives in the great war. In celebration of the coronation of King George VI on May 17, 1937, Sarina residents held a Coronation Celebration Program, which involved church services, an official tree planting ceremony and laying of a foundation stone for a sundial commemorating the coronation. The war memorial at Sarina is still used for Anzac Day services.

4. SARINA AIR RAID SHELTER

This State Heritage-listed Sarina Air Raid Shelter is important as a surviving component of the Air Raid Precautions that were implemented as part of the defence of Queensland during World War II. The proximity to Mackay aerodrome meant that there was a credible threat of aerial attack on Sarina during the war years. It demonstrates the urgent measures taken by State and local authorities for protection of the public from attack by hostile forces during a time of war.

5. SARINA PIE CART

The Sarina Pie Cart, known by locals as “The Diner”, is one of the most iconic buildings in Sarina, standing on this spot since 1937. This is the oldest original eating house in Sarina, with meals still cooked on a wood stove. At the Pie Cart you will receive a hearty homecooked meal and great burgers.

6. SARINA COURT HOUSE AND WATCHHOUSE (FORMER)

A new Court House and Police Station were completed in October 1901, with Constable Robert Brett appointed the new Clerk of Petty Sessions. The Court House was renamed to Clerk of Petty Sessions, Sarina, when the town was renamed in 1911. Due to the insufficient space to accommodate the growing police force, the Court House closed in August 1961 after the new Court House was approved for construction in 1960. When the new Court House was built, the original building was relocated to St Anne’s Catholic school, where it was used as a classroom. In 1995, the building was fully restored. The Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre is now housed in the historical Sarina Court House.

7. MT PELION SCHOOL BUILDING (FORMER)

Mt Pelion School opened on February 26, 1924, and continued to be used for schooling, meetings and entertainment until its closure on December 12, 1970. A previous pupil of the decommissioned school, John Preston, purchased Mt Pelion School as a reminder of his struggles with his education. John donated the building to Northview State School, where it was located from August 11, 1987, to October 24, 2014. Due to the building continuing to age and deteriorate, the building was relocated to Sarina Field of Dreams in 2014 and restored for community use. This building is now used as an administrative office and function room for Sarina Arts and Crafts.

8. SARINA FAMILY PLAQUES

The Sarina Family Plaques serve as a local history record for the town. The plaques include the names of residents who have lived in Sarina for more than 15 years. These plaques represent the families who have helped shape Sarina into the town that you see today.

9. SARINA CATHOLIC PRESBYTERY (FORMER)

The former St Anne’s Catholic Convent building was built by Brown and Broad Pty Ltd and opened on November 18, 1923, as a Presbytery for the Catholic Priest in Sarina, Fr Thomas Hogan. In 1988, for the upcoming 10 years, the Convent was the Parish Centre for St Michaels Catholic Church, as well as being home to the Blue Nursing Respite Care Centre. The convent was relocated on January 19, 2001, to the Field of Dreams and handed over to the Heritage Committee for use by Sarina District Historical Centre on May 2002. The building reopened as a museum on May 31, 2003, after renovations.

10. YUKAN RAILWAY STATION (FORMER)

The Sarina Art Gallery is housed in what used to be the Yukan Railway Station built in 1911, originally named the Eungella Range Railway Station. In 1913, the station was renamed Netherdale Railway Station and served as such until 1973 when the track behind Finch Hatton fell into disuse. The Netherdale Station was moved to Yukan in 1978 and in 2002 was moved to its forever home in the Sarina Field of Dreams Parkland.

11. SARINA SUGAR SHED

Sarina Sugar Shed celebrates the rich history of sugar cane farming in the Mackay Region. Visitors can enjoy a one-hour guided tour and learn how sugar cane is grown, farmed and processed.

The Tea Rooms at Sarina in 1928. Picture: Mackay Regional Council Libraries

A waiting crowd at the Sarina Railway Station

Sarina War Memorial

The Diner in Sarina

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