Mackay: Sarina Sugar Shed Tour with Tastings & Distillery

Summary

Queensland sugar cane stories, rum tastings and sweet surprises

You’ll walk among real sugar cane in Mackay’s Sarina Sugar Shed, taste fresh juice and house-made liqueurs right where they’re made, and sample tangy chutneys plus soft fairy floss. With a local guide sharing stories from Queensland’s sugar history, you’ll leave with new flavors—and maybe a sticky smile.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell—warm, grassy, almost syrupy—right as we walked past the old machinery at Sarina Sugar Shed. Our guide, Dave (who grew up just down the road), waved us over to a patch of real sugar cane. He snapped off a stalk and handed it around. I chewed on my bit and it was juicier than I expected, like biting into a memory of summer. Dave told us how his grandfather used to cut cane by hand—said you could hear the whack of machetes all day back then. Funny what sticks with you.

Inside the mill, it got cooler and quieter except for this low hum from the distillery equipment. The process looked complicated but Dave made it sound simple—something about squeezing out every last drop. He let us taste the raw juice (kind of grassy-sweet) before showing us where they turn it into rum and these fruit liqueurs. I tried to pronounce “mandarin liqueur” in my best Aussie accent; pretty sure I failed because everyone laughed—including me. The tasting table was loaded with little jars: ginger beer (non-alcoholic), spicy chutneys, sticky relishes. The ginger beer fizzed up my nose in a good way.

We ended with this cloud of freshly-spun fairy floss that melted on my tongue before I could even think about it. Kids were running around with pink fingers and big grins, but honestly? I think the adults were more excited about the liqueur samples. I kept looking at the old photos on the wall—faces squinting into Queensland sun—and wondered what they’d make of all this now. There’s something kind of comforting about seeing how much care goes into every step here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided tour of sugar cane heritage

• Welcome and introduction
• Walk past sugar cane patch and machinery
• Learn history of sugar cane farmers
• Visit mill and distillery area
• See sugar cane juice extraction process
• Taste rum and fruit liqueurs
• Taste chutneys, relishes, and sauces
• Taste non-alcoholic ginger beer and fairy floss

Top questions

How long is the Sarina Sugar Shed tour?

The tour lasts one hour from start to finish.

Are tastings included during the tour?

Yes, tastings of liqueurs, sauces, relishes, ginger beer, and fairy floss are included.

Is the tour suitable for children or families?

Yes, children are welcome and can enjoy non-alcoholic tastings like ginger beer and fairy floss.

Is Sarina Sugar Shed wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Do you need to book in advance?

The reference doesn’t specify but booking is recommended for guided tours.

Is transportation provided to Sarina Sugar Shed?

No transportation is included; public transport options are available nearby.

Are service animals allowed on the tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your visit includes a fully guided one-hour tour through both outdoor cane fields and indoor mill areas at Sarina Sugar Shed in Mackay, with hands-on tastings of house-made liqueurs, gourmet sauces and chutneys, non-alcoholic ginger beer, plus freshly-spun fairy floss—all led by a local guide sharing stories along the way.