Today each couple did their own thing. Phil and Eleanor spent the day with their grandson and his partner. They enjoyed a tour of Mackay and lunch.
We went south to The Sugar Shed at Sarina. Here there is a mini sugar mill contained in one building and on one level.
We arrived in time to catch the 11:00 am tour and it was very different to the tour we did at Tully. The whole process was explained from planting to sugar crystals. The mini mill is a batch process each of the six steps to creating raw sugar from cane is completed independently. An excellent tour and explanations. The best bit was when we got to the tasting of the liquers that are made there, Mango Liquer, Coconut Liquer, Rum Liquer and lastly at 38% alcohol their Rum. Oh and they also do a 'home made' ginger beer (no alcohol) and that was very nice too.
We then drove out to Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay, two of the largest coal loaders in Australia. The two facilities sit side by side, Hay Point is operated by BMA (BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance) and Dalrymple Bay is operated by the Queensland Port Authority. Both facilities are huge. There were three ships being loaded and we counted another 26 sitting offshore waiting for a berth.
Heading back into Mackay we went to the Caneland Shopping Centre to pick up some groceries to make tea and to have a look around.
Dalrymple Bay Loader foreground and left. Hay Point Loader is to the right of Dalrymple Bay jetty.