Sarina
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Sarina, QLD 4737.
About Sarina
Welcome to Sarina
Sarina sits about 35 kilometres south-east of Mackay in the Whitsunday-Mackay region, where the coastal cane fields meet a string of quiet beaches. It's a working town with a genuine agricultural backbone, built around the sugar industry that still shapes its streetscape and its rhythms, and it has long served as an affordable, laid-back alternative to living in Mackay itself.
With a population of 5,619 and a median age of 40, Sarina attracts families, tradespeople and retirees drawn by the combination of small-town pace, coastal access and prices well below the capital-city norm. It suits buyers who want space, a slower commute-free lifestyle, and easy reach of both the Bruce Highway and the beach without paying city premiums.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Sarina revolves around a compact town centre that still carries the character of a classic Queensland sugar town, with a handful of pubs, bakeries and cafes doing the daily trade. The nearby beaches at Sarina Beach and Armstrong Beach give locals a coastal escape without the crowds, and the surrounding cane country and hinterland lend the area a distinctly rural outlook even though the coast is only a short drive away.
It's not a dining destination in the way a capital-city suburb might be, but that's part of the appeal for people who live here — straightforward, unpretentious options, a strong sense of community, and events tied to the town's agricultural calendar rather than a packed social calendar.
Schools & families
Families are well catered for locally, with Sarina State School and St Anne's Catholic Primary School covering the early years, Sarina State High School taking students through to senior secondary, and Swayneville State School serving the surrounding rural community. Having this full spread of options within the town means most families can manage schooling without needing to travel into Mackay.
Combined with the median age of 40, the school mix points to a community with a solid base of established families alongside older residents, rather than the younger, transient population you'd see closer to a major CBD.
Getting around
Sarina's position just off the Bruce Highway makes Mackay an easy commute for work, shopping or specialist services, while the highway also opens up the run further south toward Rockhampton. The town has its own rail history tied to the sugar industry, and local roads connect efficiently to the coastal communities at Sarina Beach and Armstrong Beach.
It's a car-dependent town rather than one built around public transport, which suits its semi-rural spread — most residents drive to work, school and the shops, with Mackay's airport and larger retail and medical facilities within reasonable reach.
Housing & architecture
The current listings mix in Sarina is heavily skewed toward standalone houses, which make up 89% of what's on the market, with land making up 9% and townhouses just 2%. That reflects the town's character — low-density, single-dwelling blocks with room to move, typical of a regional service town rather than an area geared toward higher-density living.
Expect a range of classic Queenslanders, brick-and-tile homes from the later twentieth century, and newer builds on the town's fringes, generally on generous blocks by capital-city standards.
The property market
Sarina's median house price currently sits at $535,000, following growth of 18.2% recently — a strong run that reflects the broader appeal of affordable regional Queensland towns to both owner-occupiers and investors. Median rent is $625 a week, a healthy return for landlords given the entry price point.
With houses dominating the listings and land sites still available for those wanting to build, Sarina offers a rare combination for buyers priced out of Mackay's tighter pockets or the coastal hotspots further north: a genuine town centre, school options across all ages, and a price point that still allows for a house on a decent block.
Market snapshot
Sarina property market
Median sale price
$535k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$625
per week
Gross rental yield
6.1%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$379k
Median
$535k
Premium
$758k
Days on market
11
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
49
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +12.4% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Sarina by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Sarina, QLD 4737.
Population
5,619
residents (2021)
Median age
40
years
Household income
$1,605
median, per week
Median rent
$300
per week
Median mortgage
$1,733
per month
Mortgage / income
25%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Sarina
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Sarina
$395k
24 Leslie Street
Sold ~July 2026
$835k
329 West Plane Creek Road
Sold ~July 2026
$510k
6 Hospital Street
Sold ~July 2026
$875k
143 Marlborough-Sarina Road
Sold ~July 2026
$1.20m
558 Marlborough-Sarina Road
Sold ~July 2026
$449k
12 Goonyella Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$865k
29 Carlton Road
Sold ~July 2026
$1.10m
483 Dawlish Road
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Sarina
Compare the area
Price map around Sarina
Every listing for sale near Sarina, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Common questions
Sarina suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Sarina?
The median house price in Sarina, QLD is $535k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 18.2%.
How much is rent in Sarina?
The median weekly rent in Sarina is around $625 per week.
Is Sarina a good place to live?
Sarina is a rural town and coastal locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia. Sarina is an established residential suburb in QLD, with a population of around 5,619 and 4 schools in the area.
What is the population of Sarina?
Sarina has a population of 5,619 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 40.
What schools are in Sarina?
There are 4 schools in or near Sarina, including Sarina State School, St Anne's Catholic Primary School and Swayneville State School.
How long do homes take to sell in Sarina?
Properties in Sarina take around 11 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Sarina?
Entry-level properties in Sarina start around $379k, while premium homes reach $758k.
Fresh to market
New this week in Sarina
Land Release: Four Freehold Parcels, Minutes from Sarina
Great First Home
Room for the family, space for the lifestyle
Available now