Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sarina Beach
On the shores of Sarina Inlet, this laid-back coastal village boasts a long beach, a general
store/service station and a boat ramp at the inlet.
Fernandos Hideaway
( 07-4956 6299;
www.sarinabeachbb.com
; 26 Captain Blackwood Dr; s/d/ste $130/
140/160; )
is a Spanish hacienda-style B&B perched on a rugged headland. It offers
magnificent coastal views and absolute beachfront. In the living room there's a stuffed li-
on, a suit of armour and an eclectic assortment of souvenirs from the eccentric owner's
global travels.
Sarina Beach Motel
(
07-4956 6266;
www.sarinabeachmotel.com
; 44 Owen Jenkins Dve; d $135-160;
)
is located at the northern end of the Esplanade. Most rooms have beach frontage. Its res-
taurant is open nightly.
Armstrong Beach
Armstrong Beach Caravan Park
( 07-4956 2425; 66 Melba St; unpowered/powered site $21-50)
is a lovely
coastal spot just a few kilometres southeast of Sarina. Prices are for two people.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pioneer Valley
Travelling west, Mackay's urban sprawl gives way to the lush greenness of beautiful Pion-
eer Valley, where the unmistakable smell of sugar cane wafts through your nostrils as
loaded cane trains busily work their way along the roadside. The first sugar cane was
planted here in 1867 and today almost the entire valley floor is planted with the stuff. The
route to Eungella National Park, the Mackay-Eungella Rd, branches off the Peak Downs
Hwy about 10km west of Mackay and follows the river through vast fields of cane to link
up with the occasional small town or steam- belching sugar mill.
About 17km west of the small town of Mirani is the
Pinnacle Hotel
(
www.pinnaclehotel.com.au
;
Eungella Rd, Pinnacle; mains $10-20)
. The pub has accommodation (camp sites $10 to $20,
doubles $50), an outdoor cafe, and live music on Sunday afternoons. Try a Pinnacle Pie or
regret it for the rest of your days.
Another 10km further down the road is the turn-off for Finch Hatton Gorge, part of
Eungella National Park, and 1.5km past the turn-off is the pretty township of
Finch Hatton
.
