Sarina Sugar Shed Recognised In National Awards

A favourite tourism destination of The Mackay Region, the Sarina Sugar Shed will be nationally recognised at the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

The Australian Tourism Awards are the industry’s highest accolades – distinguishing excellence from tourism operators across the country. The sold-out awards night will see tourism operators recognised in front of 840 attendees, including State and Federal Tourism Ministers, national and international media correspondents and prominent industry leaders.  

A multi award winner at The Mackay Region and Queensland Tourism Awards, the Sarina Sugar Shed will be vying for top honours in the Excellence in Food Tourism category.

Cr Karen May, Cr Fran Mann and Sarina Sugar Shed Coordinator Glenys Mansfield will be attending Friday’s event, held in Tasmania at Launceston’s Cataract Gorge.

Cr May said the sweet news kept flowing for the Sarina Sugar Shed.

“The Sugar Shed is excited to represent the Mackay region at the Australian Tourism Awards on Friday,” Cr May said.

“After being inducted into the QTA Hall of Fame in 2017 for Excellence in Food Tourism, we’re humbled by the continued success at a local and national level,” she said.

“In the last financial year, we had an incredible 17,000 visitors, with more than 10,000 taking a guided tour of the Sugar Shed, Australia’s only miniature, fully working sugar mill and distillery.”

Wishing the Sarina Sugar Shed the best of luck is Mackay Tourism General Manager Tas Webber.

“Recognition at the Australian Tourism Awards is a major achievement for Mackay Regional Council, Sarina Sugar Shed staff and volunteers, and The Mackay Region’s tourism industry,” he said.

Mr Webber continued, “the Sarina Sugar Shed is a favourite tourism attraction for locals and visitors, and nomination for Excellence in Food Tourism puts Mackay’s tourism industry, and the region’s local flavours on the map.”