Population 5,730 (2011 census) Local time Thursday 5:45 AM | Postcode(s) 4737 Postal code 4737 Neighborhoods Yukan, Oonooie, Shinfield | |
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Sarina Freshwater PointArmstrong Beach Weather 24°C, Wind SE at 6 km/h, 97% Humidity | ||
Sarina /səˈriːnə/ is a town and locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2011 census, Sarina had a population of 5,730 people.
Contents
- Map of Sarina QLD 4737 Australia
- Geography
- Economy
- History
- Heritage listings
- Education
- Sport
- Attractions
- Notable people from Sarina
- References
Map of Sarina QLD 4737, Australia
Geography
Sarina lies just inland of the east coast of Queensland, 34 kilometres (21 mi) south of the city of Mackay, and approximately 300 kilometres (190 mi) north of the city of Rockhampton. The Bruce Highway passes through the locality from south to north, as does the North Coast railway line.
The town of Sarina is located on Plane Creek, which flows into the Coral Sea, but most of the urban development is on the northern side of the creek. The Bruce Highway and the railway line pass through the town, which is served by the Sarina railway station.
The neighbourhood of Oonooie lies 6.8 km south of the town (21°28′00″S 149°13′59″E) and is the name of a former railway station on the North Coast line, which was named on 29 April 1915, reportedly after a principal clanswoman of that area.
The neighbourhood of Mount Convenient lies 4.8 km north of the town (21°24′00″S 149°12′00″E) and is the name of a former railway station on the North Coast line, which was named on 30 October 1913 after a nearby peak, Mount Convenient.
The Goonyella railway line passes along the eastern boundary of the locality towards the Hay Point coal terminal.
Economy
Industries include sugar cane growing and milling, cattle grazing and agriculture. It is a major supplier of ethanol through the CSR Limited distillery attached to CSR's Plane Creek sugar mill.
Approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi) north is the second largest export coal terminal in Australia, and one of the biggest coal distribution terminals in the world, Hay Point.
History
Sarina was originally known as Plane Creek, but took its present name from the Sarina Inlet which was in turn named after Sarina, the Greek mythological enchantress, by William Charles Borlase Wilson, a surveyor, some time before 1882.
At the 2006 census, Sarina had a population of 3,285.
Heritage listings
Sarina has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Education
There is a state primary school as well as Sarina State High School.
Sport
Sarina is home of the Sarina Crocodiles, a Rugby League club, producing Queensland players like Martin Bella, Dale Shearer, Kevin Campion, Daly Cherry-Evans and most recently dual international Wendell Sailor.
There is also a rugby league ground.
Attractions
Proximity to the coast and mountains attracts tourists through this area. Recently tourism has grown in Sarina with Mackay being relatively close.
A large cane toad statue, called Buffy, is situated in the town centre in honour of Sarina's cane farming history. Buffy was made from fibreglass in the early 1980s for a parade float for the Apex Sugar Festival. The name Buffy comes from the species name bufo marinus.
Buffy has been painted for the "state of origin" football game multiple times and has even been stolen. To try and deter further theft, buffy has been chained to the concrete slab on broad street where he resides, though this hasn't stopped people from decorating buffy with "Queenslander" flags and state of origin banners