A family-run beachfront motel with its own restaurant and direct ocean access, Sarina Beach Motel in Queensland has been refreshing its facilities and is now on the market. This article draws on the property’s official information, aggregated guest reviews, and pricing data to give you a clear picture of what to expect before you book.
Last checked: 2026-10-06
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Location: Sarina, Queensland · Distance from Airport: 30-minute drive from Mackay Airport · Special Offer: Complimentary cocktails or $20 restaurant voucher for 2-night stay · Contact Phone: 49566266
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-10-06.
Sources reviewed: official property website and FAQ, Queensland Government tourism portal, Commercial Real Estate listing, KAYAK, Trivago, TripAdvisor, Trip.com, Travel Weekly.
No on-site inspection or staff interview was conducted, and no independent verification of room rates or the sale listing was performed. TripAdvisor reviews may include a different property (Sarina Hotel), so those were used only when clearly matching the motel.
Snapshot: Sarina Beach Motel
- Directly on Sarina Beach, 44 Owen Jenkins Drive, Sarina Beach, Queensland 4737 (Queensland Government tourism portal)
- Approx. 30-minute drive to Mackay CBD; 25 minutes to Mackay Airport (Sarina Beach Motel official website)
- 20 rooms comprising budget rooms, one-bedroom suites, and self-contained units (Commercial Real Estate)
- Renovated in 2020 (new pool and upgraded kitchen/restaurant) (Commercial Real Estate)
- On-site restaurant & bar: The Palms Restaurant (or The Palms), open daily for lunch, dinner, and breakfast (Sarina Beach Motel official website)
- Promotion: complimentary cocktails or a $20 restaurant voucher for 2-night stays (Sarina Beach Motel official website)
- Check-in 2:00 PM, check-out 10:00 AM; free Wi‑Fi; non-smoking; parking for boats/trailers (Sarina Beach Motel official FAQ)
- Property listed for sale in 2025 at A$4.9 million (Commercial Real Estate)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Sarina, Queensland |
| Distance from Airport | 30-minute drive from Mackay Airport |
| Special Offer | Complimentary cocktails or $20 restaurant voucher for 2-night stay |
| Contact Phone | 49566266 |
| Number of Rooms | 20 |
| Check-in / Check-out | 2:00 PM / 10:00 AM |
| On-site Dining | The Palms Restaurant – daily lunch, dinner, breakfast |
| Renovation Year | 2020 |
| Rated on Trivago | 8.2/10 (698 ratings) |
| Sale Price (2025) | A$4.9 million |
Sarina Beach Motel Menu
Dining at this beachfront property revolves around The Palms Restaurant. According to the motel’s official website, the restaurant operates seven days a week and offers breakfast (with different schedules), lunch, and dinner, plus daily specials and a cocktail bar. Room service is also available. A promotional deal provides complimentary cocktails or a $20 restaurant voucher for guests who book a minimum of two nights.
The same source lists a licensed bar and notes that the commercial kitchen was renovated in 2020, alongside the swimming pool.
Sarina Beach Motel Reviews
Guest reviews are split across several platforms, and ratings vary. Trivago aggregates 698 ratings into an overall score of 8.2/10, with component scores of 8.9 for location, 8.8 for service, and 8.6 for cleanliness (Trivago). KAYAK’s 616 ratings yield a 7.9/10, with snippets praising the beachfront setting and food, but also mentioning cleanliness issues and perceived overpricing (KAYAK).
Tripadvisor shows a score of 3.9/5 from 107 reviews, though some of those may belong to the separate Sarina Hotel rather than the Sarina Beach Motel. A reviewer calling themselves DMcInnes noted: “Went to sleep listening to the ocean and watched the sunrise by walking out of the back door of my room.” Trip.com reports 7.6/10 from six reviews, describing staff as friendly and the property reasonably priced, but one reviewer left early because of noise for a $183/night rate.
The pattern: Location and ocean access earn top marks, while cleanliness and noise inconsistency appear as weak signals in a minority of reviews.
Sarina Beach Motel Prices
No standard room rates are published directly by the motel online. A KAYAK search (as of October 2026) showed a deal from US$128 per night including estimated fees, while the Queensland Government tourism portal displayed a from-price of $158 for Sarina Beach Motel and The Palms (currency not specified but likely AUD). Travel Weekly lists reference rates of US$56 for a standard room and US$153 for a suite, but those are historical and not live booking prices.
The promotional 2-night stay with a $20 restaurant voucher or complimentary cocktails is the only package the motel’s own website explicitly advertises. A commercial property listing notes the entire freehold was offered for sale in 2025 for A$4.9 million, suggesting the property has been under the same family operation for 17 years.
The catch: Without a live rate for a specific stay, the value assessment is subjective; the location justifies a premium for beach lovers, but soundproofing and cleanliness may disappoint light sleepers or those expecting five-star standards.
Property Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 44 Owen Jenkins Drive, Sarina Beach QLD 4737 |
| Total Rooms | 20 (budget, one-bedroom suites, self-contained) |
| Year Renovated | 2020 |
| Pool & Spa | Swimming pool with sundeck and spa bath |
| On-site Dining | The Palms Restaurant – full bar and daily meals |
Location and Getting There
Sarina Beach Motel sits directly on Sarina Beach at 44 Owen Jenkins Drive, about a 25-minute drive from Mackay Airport (the motel’s own published estimate) and 30 minutes from Mackay CBD. For those driving from Brisbane, the route follows the Bruce Highway to Sarina and then turns east toward the coast. The motel provides on-site parking, including space for boats and trailers, and says 24-hour check-in can be arranged in advance.
Alternatives in Set
Travellers weighing options in the region can consider accommodation in central Sarina (about 10 minutes inland) for easier access to supermarkets and services, or stay in Mackay (30 minutes) for a wider range of chain hotels, business facilities, and the airport. For beachside stays, Sarina Beach Motel is one of the few directly on the sand. The self-contained rooms and boat parking also differentiate it from standard motels with limited parking.
Another alternative for budget travellers are the caravan parks near the beach, but they lack the restaurant and pool amenities.
Our Recommendation
If direct beach access, a licensed restaurant, and a quiet coastal setting are your priorities, the Sarina Beach Motel fits the bill. The 2020 renovation refreshed the pool and restaurant, and the manager’s family operation (reported as 17 years) suggests continuity. However, the inconsistency in cleaning and noise complaints from a handful of reviews means that for light sleepers or hygiene-sensitive guests, a call to the property (49566266) to confirm your specific room’s condition is wise.
For business travellers needing Hay Point access or self‑catering options, the suite or self-contained room categories are worth requesting. With the property on the market, future management may change, so current ratings should be re‑checked before booking.
“This is a prime beachfront 20-room motel and restaurant with a strong trading history only 30 minutes from Mackay.”
— Michael von Steiglitz, property representative quoted in the commercial listing
“Loved the position, great food and comfortable room.”
— Unnamed guest, guest reviewer quoted in KAYAK review snippets
Related reading:
sg.trip.com, beach-scenes.com, travelweekly.com, ar.tripadvisor.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What promotions does Sarina Beach Motel currently offer?
The motel advertises a 2-night stay promotion that includes either complimentary cocktails or a $20 restaurant voucher.
What is the phone number for Sarina Beach Motel?
The contact number listed on the official website is 49566266.
How far is Sarina Beach Motel from Mackay Airport?
The motel’s own website states a 25-minute drive; Mackay CBD is about 30 minutes away.
Has Sarina Beach Motel been listed for sale?
Yes – a commercial real estate article in October 2025 reported it was listed for the first time in 17 years at an asking price of A$4.9 million.
What dining or beverage options are available at the motel?
The on-site restaurant and bar, The Palms, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, and offers room service and a cocktail bar.
Sources Cited
- Sarina Beach Motel – Facilities
- Sarina Beach Motel – FAQ
- Queensland Government tourism portal – Sarina Beach Motel
- Commercial Real Estate – Property for sale article
- KAYAK – Sarina Beach Motel
- Trivago – Sarina Beach Motel ratings
- TripAdvisor – Sarina accommodation
- Trip.com – Sarina Beach Motel