Discover the Best of Beautiful Bundaberg
Take time out to visit and explore charming Bundaberg, the town the turtles call home and start of the Great Barrier Reef. Here, your glass is always full to the brim with iconic drinks and tasty new tipples, and from the moment you arrive you’ll find rows upon rows of abundant produce. Located just a 4hrs drive or an hour's flight north of Brisbane, the Bundaberg region is overflowing with natural wonders, tantalising flavours, and colourful characters that will make you feel right at home. With all the ingredients for the perfect holiday; great beaches, great tastes, and the Great Barrier Reef, come and discover where great truly begins in Bundaberg.
DO
It's the encounter everyone should have on their bucket list and it's easily accessible with just a boat ride or short flight from Bundaberg!
Situated just a 4hrs drive or 1hrs flight from Brisbane, Bundaberg is where the reef begins. As the southernmost gateway and most accessible departure point for Southeast Queenslanders to explore the Great Barrier Reef, discover two thriving jewels of the reef, Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island. Spend your day diving the most remote depths of untouched reefs, snorkel alongside curious turtles and majestic manta rays, and wake up to uninterrupted views of a sun-soaked coral-filled lagoon.
To explore Lady Musgrave Island, venture on a day trip or overnight stay with Lady Musgrave Experience and marvel at the thriving marine life that call the surrounding 3000 acres of healthy reef home. Channel your inner Sir David Attenborough and discover Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort with just a short 25min scenic flight from Bundaberg Airport and discover the home of the manta ray. With more than 1200 species of marine life swimming and feeding among the plankton-rich waters of this protected green zone, experience a unique eco holiday on the reef where sustainability is at the forefront of everything they do. With accommodation available on the island, waking up among paradise has never been easier.
If secluded beaches with soft white sand and sun-kissed blue waters stretching for kilometres sounds like paradise, Bundaberg’s Coral Coast is a beachgoers haven.
Only 45 minutes south of Bundaberg is Woodgate Beach and this coastal town is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, leaving you feel relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated with more than 16km of sandy beach for you to stretch out upon. Looking for some action on the water? SUP your way down the sweeping river mouth of Theodolite Creek or spend time exploring marine-filled rock pools at low tide among the breath-taking Elliott Heads coastline. Renowned for its pristine white sand and vibrant blue hues, Elliott Heads is Bundaberg’s equivalent to Whitehaven Beach and offers a plethora for those wanting to experience the calm swimming waters of Elliott River or Kitesurf haven at Elliott Heads Beach and a reef within reach waiting to be explored along the foreshore.
Venture off the beaten track towards the pristine and secluded Woodgate Beach where 4WD enthusiasts can explore the sandy track of Burrum Coast National Park and local favourite, Kinkuna Beach or sit back, relax and unwind along the 16km stretch of protected beach offering calm clear waters, Oceanview properties and ample space for you to set up your chair, watch the waves lap the shore.
A scenic drive inland from Bundaberg and you’ll find yourself in the North Burnett, boasting a myriad of landscapes. From rugged gorges, imposing mountain ranges, serene rural views, towering silo artworks, and the mighty Burnett River. For avid hikers, unleash the adventurer within and discover breathtaking views from Mount Walsh National Park or weave your way through the lush surrounds of Cania Gorge National Park which is home to several walking treks catering to varying levels of experience.
EAT
Bundaberg is the nation’s largest macadamia producing region and national food bowl, famous for its internationally recognised flavours on the shores of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
With more than 200,000 macadamia trees and 2000 tons of nut-in-shell harvested each year, Macadamias Australia is one of Australia’s largest single-variety macadamia plantations. Growing and producing quality macadamias for more than 60 years this family owned, and operated farm have become industry leaders through their innovation, passion, dedication, and hard work. Visit the innovative Macadamias Australia Visitor Experience hub and taste local delights from their bespoke café, The Orchard Table, where you can experience a unique tree-to-table journey.
Prepare your forks and your tastebuds for a unique paddock to plate experience at Water Street Kitchen. A favourite among locals and visitors alike, this family owned business prides itself on putting passion and local produce on a plate for all to enjoy. Not only will this insta worthy café by day and restaurant by night have you wanting to snap a quick pic of their trendy décor surrounds but will also have your mouth watering with their variety of locally inspired meals and signature cocktails.
Awarded Gold at the 2019 & 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards for best Restaurant and Catering Services, the Windmill Café offers a delicious range of wholesome meals in a restored windmill, nestled just a block away from Bargara Beach. Not only will you be falling in love with its charm and friendly staff, but your mouth will water over their tantalising, locally sourced and seasonal menu. With a passion for the region and our farmers, much of the produce that you will see on your plate has been plucked from the field just down the road. So, sit back and relax in their garden surrounds while enjoying a coffee or chilled drink, and don’t forget to try their gelato that is oh-so popular.
Combining local produce with worldly cuisine, let your taste buds travel at Bert's with their tasty menu that’s designed to be shared and which pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of Bundaberg born aviation pioneer, Bert Hinkler. Enjoy the mood-lit ambience of this restaurant for either lunch or dinner and sip on one of their signature cocktails which showcases local tipples, or if you’re drink of choice is a glass of whisky on the rocks, be sure to check out their range of top shelf bottles.
Bundaberg's river-to-reef waterways are brimming with fresh seafood - from prawns trawled in the Burnett River to fresh coral trout caught on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Come roll up your sleeves and taste the regions seafood experience. With more than 30years of fishing experience under their belt, Grunskes By The River Seafood Market, Takeaway and Restaurant are your go to for everything seafood in Bundaberg. From freshly caught catches ready to be peeled and devoured to delicious hot seafood dishes served daily, enjoy feasting on rich, fresh and abundant trawler-to-table catches and soak up sweeping river views on the balcony.
Roll up your sleeves and discover the region's award-winning boutique seafood business, The Seafood Smokery, where their delicate yet versatile range of award-winning smoked fish fillets, 'rolled hams' and pates are delivered not only locally but to some of Australia's leading Chefs. Let passionate fishermen and owners, Lincoln and Luke share with you their journey and passion for ethically sourcing the freshest wild caught fish, along with their secret for brining. Using a secret blend of Australian native timers including macadamia wood, this truly is a unique and oh-so tasty must-visit for all seafood lovers.
With so much to see and do while visiting, Alowishus Delicious on Bourbong Street is the perfect place to grab a quick caffeine fix and food to go, not to mention their incredible local-inspired ice-cream range which is ever changing depending on what's in season. From Bundaberg Rum and raisin to local dragonfruit ice-cream.
DRINK
Journey behind the scenes and into the beating heart of the fully working distillery on a Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience and discover where unique blends have been proudly distilled and bottled since 1888. An experience for all the senses, see how this liquid gold has been expertly made and immerse yourself in the true-blue Bundy passion behind the bottle before sampling some of the range at the tasting bar.
Top Tip: For the rum connoisseurs try a Blend Your Own Rum Experience and spend your day mixing premium rum profiles that are exclusive to the Blend Your Own Rum tour before bottling two of your very own signature rum bottles.
Famous for their Bundaberg Ginger Beer, come immerse yourself on a self-guided tour of The Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel and discover the history behind the generations of family recipes responsible for their worldwide success. Taste the entire range of this 50-year family-owned business and their 14 flavour-filled bottles before combining your favourites into a six-pack for the journey home.
If gin and tonic is your choice of drink then a visit to family owned Kalki Moon Distilling and Brewing Company is a must! Stop into their cellar door and enjoy a tour and tasting of their award-winning gin, vodka, and liquors Discover new flavours with the teams experienced skills in pairing together the perfect gin cocktail. With botanical flavours set to make your mouth water, you are sure to find a new favourite drink in this artisan distillery. Kalki Moon are also tantalising taste buds with their Premium Australian Cane Spirit that is set to make your favourite mojito’s, pina colada’s and daiquiris that extra special.
This one is for craft beer lovers! Whether you're new to the scene or a beer aficionado, the Brewhouse is the perfect afternoon venue for enjoying an expertly poured beer on tap. With a range of beers on show, try their locally brewed Reef range comprising of a Lager, easy drinking Red Ale, and well balance tropical Pale and where 10c of every can is donated to keeping the reef clean.
Testing the boundaries with fresh fruity flavours is Ohana Cider House and Tropical Winery. Visit the local cellar door and indulge on an epic tasting paddle or enjoy samples of pineapple wine, strawberry Moscato, sweet apple cider or boozy lemonade and their collection of small-batch ciders on tap. With the makers themselves pouring your glass, be sure to ask them how their products are made with 100% local Queensland fruits.
The rolling green hills of hinterland town, Childers, is home to the region's bespoke wineries and vineyards, Hill of Promise Winery and Vintners Secret Vineyard. With beautiful surrounds and years of history under their belt, sample rich notes of locally produced wines and learn the passion that goes into each bottle.
STAY
With a range of hotel, motel, camping and glamping accommodation across the region, your options for where to rest your head are endless. If you're seeking a coastal getaway where the beach is just a short walk from your door, choose to stay along the region's pristine Coral Coast and soak up the lifestyle capital, Bargara or venture a little further along the coastline to Elliott Heads where river meets reef or the picturesque Woodgate Beach. If you're seeking a home-away-from-home where local cafes, historical buildings and boutique shops are all within walking distance, Bundaberg's bustling CBD has you covered and offers convenience at its best with local attractions just a short drive away. If you're a culture vulture, hinterland escapes at Childers and Gin Gin offer a great location to feed your inner historian.
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