There are many things to do in Bundaberg and its surrounding areas, both free and with a cost. It is not all turtles and Bundaberg Rum!
“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
– Dalai Lama –
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Introduction to Regional Bundaberg, Queensland
The Bundaberg Region is in the Wide Bay – Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, about 360 kilometres (220 miles) north of Brisbane, the state capital. It is centred on the city of Bundaberg, and also contains a significant rural area surrounding the city.
Map of Bundaberg
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Things to Do in Bundaberg and the Surrounding Areas
Australian Sugar Cane Railway
The Australian Sugar Cane Railway takes you on a 2km circuit through the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.
The journey takes you across several bridges, past several ponds, through the heart of our locomotive workshop and past other attractions such as Café 1928, Hinkler House, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Fairymead House as well as the Chinese Gardens.
- Where: Mount Perry Road, Bundaberg
- Hours: Sun 10:00am To 3:30pm
- Cost: Adult $5.00, Child $2.00
Baldwin Swamp Environment Park
Known as Bundaberg’s own “Kakadu”, Baldwin Swamp is home to many species of birdlife and wildlife. Meander through the trails and take in the smells of the Eucalypt trees whilst enjoying the peace and quiet Baldwin Swamp offers. The wetlands provide a roosting, breeding and feeding habitat for thousands of waterbirds.
- Where: Steindl Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 8:15am To 4:45pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Bundaberg and District Historical Museum
Step back in time and revisit the history of Bundaberg and its people. In the museum you will find yourself immersed in days past with displays set up to show how different everyday places and items used to look. They have recreated settings of a hospital, a general store, a jail, a school room, a theatre, a bank, a bedroom/nursery, a drawing room and a kitchen/dining room. They also have displays on the pioneer days of Bundaberg, war days, sport in Bundaberg and on different work industries in Bundaberg such as transport and shipping along with so much more.
- Where: 6 Mount Perry Road, Bundaberg North
- Hours: Mon – Sun 9:30am To 3:30pm
- Cost: Adult $5.50, Child $2.50
Bundaberg Botanical Gardens
The Bundaberg Botanic Gardens cover 27 hectares of land and features a variety of 10,000 trees and shrubs. A magnificent lake attracting many birds is the centrepiece of the Gardens, while the wedding chapel, shaded picnic areas and nature themed playground are also a drawcard.
A network of boardwalks and pathways encourage visitors to enjoy the Japanese and Chinese gardens, Australian rainforest, prehistoric garden, friendship grove, fern garden, bamboo, sclerophyll woodland, bromeliad garden, rare fruit tree orchard, woodworkers guild, Hinkler garden and palm grove.
The Gardens are also home to a range of attractions including Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Fairymead House Sugar Museum, Bundaberg and District Historical Museum, Cafe 1928 and the Australian Sugar Cane Railway, making the gardens a key tourist destination.
- Where: Mount Perry Road, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Sun 5:30am To 6:30pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Bundaberg CBD Story Walk
Bundaberg town has an abundance of historic architecture with many impressive structures still standing tall within the Bundaberg CBD.
Download the map below and take a tour of the city centre with short videos capturing residents’ memories of times gone by.
Bundaberg Port Marina
The Bundaberg Port Marina is a modern, first class facility and acts as a Port of Entry into Australia. It is the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Island both being within close proximity to the region.
- Where: 15-17 Marina Drive, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00am to 4:30pm, Sat 8:00am to 2:00pm, Sun 8:00am to 12:00pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Bundaberg Railway Museum
The first railway station in Bundaberg has been transformed into a museum featuring a variety of railway items both from the past and the present. Train buffs will have a field day at the museum, which contains, photos, uniforms, books, tools and various displays.
- Where: 28 Station Street, Bundaberg North
- Hours: Tues, Thur and Sat 8:00am to 3:00pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Bundaberg Region Visitors Centre
Chat with a knowledgeable ‘local’ with a passion for their local area to help you make the most of your stay in the Bundaberg region.
- Where: 36 Avenue Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Sun 9:00am to 4:30pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG)
The Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery is a large multi-purpose visual arts facility located in the heart of Bundaberg City. The Gallery boast a year-round program of local, touring and national art exhibitions, visiting artists, workshops, artist talks, educational programs, kids activities, guided tours, gift shop facilities, artist-in-residence apartment, public outreach programs and much more.
- Where: 1 Barolin Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sat – Sun 11:00am to 3:00pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Bundaberg Rum Distillery
Museum Experience – Located within a retired Bondstore that has previously aged some of Bundaberg’s finest rums, the self-paced interactive Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience will allow you to see, touch and smell your way through the rich history of Bundaberg Rum.
Distillery Experience – After exploring the Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience and immersing yourself in the rich history of Bundaberg Rum, join one of the expert distillery guides on a guided journey deep into the heart of our fully operational Bundaberg Rum Distillery.
Blend Your Own Rum – After enjoying your Distillery Experience, learn the art of blending with two expert Blend Your Own Rum guides. Each guest will craft their unique blend, pour it direct from the barrel and leave the very same day with two personalised bottles. One to keep, and one to enjoy!
- Where: Hills Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sat – Sun 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Cost: Adult: $28.50, Child: $14.25
Cha Cha Chocolate
A magical Chocolate Shop specialising in gift baskets, local Bundaberg products, handmade chocolates and fudges, international chocolates, wedding favours, vegan and allergy friendly products, and a vintage chocolate cabinet.
- Where: 84 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm, Sat 8:00am to 2:00pm, Sun 10:00am to 1:00pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Fairymead House Sugar Museum
Be enchanted by Indian bungalow architecture as you explore this grand plantation house and imagine life on a sugar cane plantation back in the late 1800s. Share in the history of the pioneer sugar families from Bundaberg, uncover the enormous contribution by the South Sea Islander community and discover the process of producing sugar, from cane to crystal.
- Where: Thornhill Street, Bundaberg North
- Hours: Mon – Sun 9:00am to 3:00pm
- Cost: Adult $8, Child $4
Hinkler Hall of Aviation
Built as a tribute to Bundaberg’s pioneering aviation hero Bert Hinkler, the Hall is designed to represent an aircraft wing with the building housing the remarkable memorabilia, displays and artefacts that cover the all-too-brief life of a genuine Australian and global hero.
- Where: Mount Perry Road and Young Street, Bundaberg North
- Hours: Sun – Fri 10:30am to 12:00 Noon (Closed Saturdays)
- Cost: Adult $20, Child $12
Hummock Lookout
Situated off the road to Bargara is the low-lying volcanic remnant known as “The Hummock”. Although only 96 metres above sea-level, it offers visitors good views over the whole area. The ocean is visible to the east, while to the west, the sugar fields can be seen encircling the city with the smoke stacks of the Bundaberg Distillery and Mill on the horizon. Watch the moon rise over the ocean as the sun sets over the land.
The Hummock holds an important place in local indigenous history. The Taribelang Aboriginal people were the first humans to inhabit this area. Their ‘burning mountain’ is the ‘Sloping Hummock” of today. There is a large Aboriginal art mural at the site which depicts the violent story of Paddy’s Island at the time of European settlement. Paddy’s Island can still be seen from the Hummock lookout today.
Kalki Moon Distilling and Brewery Company
Guided tours are offered to share their passion for craft distilled spirits followed by the opportunity to have a taste testing. Tours begin every 30 minutes and no booking is required for tours under 10 people. Allow between 30min to 1 hour for the tour/tasting experience.
- Where: 22 Commercial Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sat 10:00am to 4:00pm, Sun 10:00am to 3:00pm
Moncrieff Entertainment Centre
The Moncrieff Entertainment Centre features performing arts, theatre broadcasts and live entertainment, as well as on-demand, indie and art-house films and free community movies.
- Where: 177 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm
North Bundaberg Story Walk
North Bundaberg’s history and its residents’ memories have been captured and preserved as short, digital narratives that can be enjoyed in situ throughout the suburb as a walking trail or as individual stories.
Each marker on the map indicated the location or a QR (Quick Response) code that connects the digitised story with the physical location it features.
Splitters Farm
Splitters Farm is a working cattle farm and farm stay camping destination just 10min drive north of Bundaberg’s CBD. Splitters is a safe haven to over 250 rescued farm animals and counting and conduct self-guided ‘Meet the Animals’ walking tours at 10am / 11am / 1pm and 2:30pm each day.
Set amongst lush tropical bush land, the 160 acre property is also bordered by Splitters Creek, a fresh water reserve that feeds into the beautiful Burnett River. Visitors can explore the surrounding creek by hiring a kayak, canoe or SUP board. The acreage is home to native animals such as wallabies, platypus, barramundi, pre-historic lung fish and boasts over 150 documented species of bird life.
- Where: 205 Blairs Road, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Fri 10:00am to 3:00pm, Sat – Sun 10:00am to 4:00pm
Street Art Self-Guided Tour (Bundaberg)
Click here for a map of the tour and information on each of the points of interest along the way.
Things To Do in Bargara
Amandine Lavender
Amandine is a family owned and operated farm producing only enough lavender to supply their in house gift shop. Guests can enjoy a self-guided journey through the lavender patch and learn how to propagate your own lavender along the way. Lavender flourishes in the Bundaberg Region with the help of the sub-tropical climate of the Coral Coast.
- Where: 288 Seaview Road, Bargara
- Hours: Mon – Sun 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Artisans 4670
The owners of Artisans 4670, Kathy and Beverley, are committed to supporting 100% local handcrafted wares in their constantly changing showroom near the beach in Bargara. They aim to empower and encourage handmade, creativity and craftsmanship, focusing on using local materials and resources to support the development of local business and skills. In the Gallery you can find one-of-a-kind gifts, handcrafted pottery, jewellery, skincare, and paintings.
- Where: 100 Hughes Road, Bargara
- Hours: Tues – Sun 10:00am to 4:00pm (Closed Monday)
- Cost: Free Entry
Bargara Brewing Company
The Brewhouse is where all Bargara Brewing Company’s beers are made. It is also a fantastic eclectic, venue to come and enjoy a meal while you work your way through the 8 taps of amazing freshly brewed beers. A great day out for locals and travellers to the Bundaberg Region.
- Where: 10 Tantitha Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Wed – Sat 11:00am to 10:00pm, Sun 11:00am to 5:00pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Bargara Golf Club
Set on the east Queensland Pacific shoreline, Bargara Golf Club provides one of the best settings for a round of golf in Australia. A beautifully conditioned 18 hole course with well-kept fairways and superb greens provides a challenge for golfers of all levels.
- Where: 120 Miller Street, Bargara
- Hours: Mon – Sun 10:00am to 9:00pm
Barolin Rocks
One of Bundaberg’s best kept secrets, the Barolin Rocks are a fantastic location for a dip and to discover the fascinating world under the waves first hand. During the outgoing tide, this man-made rock pool is a great place to snorkel and discover marine life.
- Where: Barolin Esplanade, Woongarra Marine Park, Bargara
- Cost: Free Entry
Tinaberries
Rich soil from this volcanic region coupled with the tropical climate enables Tinaberries to produce superior quality fruit year round. Fruit is sold direct on the farm, locally and even transported to Melbourne’s finest restaurants. During strawberry growing season, visitors are invited to “Pick your own” which is very popular with locals as well as visitors to the region.
- Where: 15 Zinks Road, Woongarra
- Hours: Wed – Sun 9:00am to 5:30pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Things To Do in Burnett Heads
Oaks Beach
A small beach good for snorkeling, fishing, rock walking or swimming. There is also a 200 metre stretch of beach perfect for surfing.
Things To Do in Coral Cove
Coral Cove Beach
Coral Cove Beach is between Innes Park and Elliott Heads, and is a great place for snorkelers.
Coral Cove Golf Club
Coral Cove Resort and Golf Club is a unique complex far removed from the rigours of daily life. Coral Cove offers pure sea air, no crowds, no stress, and the perfect life. The well maintained 18 hole Championship Golf Course featuring the longest hole in Australia provides a challenge for all golfers.
- Where: 1 Pebble Beach Drive, Coral Cove
- Hours: Mon – Sun 7:00am to 9:00pm
Things To Do in Elliott Heads
Alexandra Park, Playground and Zoo
Alexandra Park is home to Bundaberg’s council operated zoo. The zoo is home to a compact menagerie featuring exhibits with pint size monkeys, dingos, lizards, birds and more.
- Where: Quay Street, Bundaberg
- Hours: Mon – Sun 8:30am to 4:45pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Things To Do in Mon Repos
Mon Repos Turtle Centre
Mon Repos Turtle Encounter is the only ranger-guided turtle encounter available on the east-coast and is instrumental in the research into turtle conservation, specifically the endangered Loggerhead turtles that frequent this beach.
Watch as mother turtles lay their clutches of eggs from November – January on a ranger-guided tour at the Mon Repos Turtle Encounter. In January – March form a pathway to the ocean for the baby turtles as they begin their dangerous journey into adolescence with only 1 in 1000 turtles making it to maturity.
Bookings: Open at 10:30am on Monday 12 October 2020 and tours commence on 6 November 2020 to continue to late March 2021
- Where: Mon Repos Road, Bundaberg
- Hours: 7pm Tour
- Cost: Adult: $27.45, Child: $14.25
Things To Do in Woodgate
Woodgate Beach
This stunning curve of white sand stretches some 16km long and is framed by a continuous sweep of shady She-Oak trees. Not only is the calm ocean protected from the strong swells of Fraser Island, but the shallow seas are home to dugongs and turtles. This expanse of white silica sand beach is perfect for swimming, fishing and boating.
Things To Do in Childers
Brierley Wines
Set in a bush setting a little along the beaten track, Brierley Wines has posted a series of signs on trees encouraging visitors to “keep going” as there’s wine ahead. The first grapes were planted around 29 years ago, and wine making started 17 years ago. These days, the winery produces between 6000 and 10,000 litres with chambourcin (a French variety – medium to full-bodied wine) its most famous drop. While they don’t use preservatives, they do still use corks, and they make their wine the old-fashioned Italian way.
- Where: 574 Rainbows Road, Childers
- Hours: Tues – Sun 10:00am to 4:00pm, Mon (Closed)
Childers Art Space (CHARTS)
- Where: 72 Churchill Street, Childers
- Hours: Mon – Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sat – Sun 9:00am to 1:00pm
- Cost: Free Entry
Hill Of Promise Winery
The Hill of Promise winery is a boutique winery and cellar door, offering a true ‘grape to glass’ experience. It is named after the owner Terry Byrne’s Sicilian grandparents who arrived in Australia with half a dozen words of English, 10 shillings and “a suitcase full of hopes and dreams”.
Terry first starting making wine with his grandfather when he was nine years old.
These days, they make about 1000 bottles of any variety in a year and have won a gold medal at the Queensland Wine Awards for their white muscat which has also been named Best Fortified Wine in Queensland.
- Where: 8 Mango Hill Road, Horton, Childers
- Hours: Mon – Sun 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Cost: Free Tastings
Military and Memorabilia Museum
The Military and Memorabilia Museum is considered one of the best displays of military memorabilia outside the Canberra war memorial. The collection includes countless items associated with various emergency services including police, ambulance, fire brigade, SES and nurses. The museum also dedicates a large part to remembering our service men and women from Boer War to present day conflicts. It also showcases appliances from bygone eras making the collection tally up to 30,000 items from over 140 countries.
- Where: 2 Ashby Lane, Childers
- Hours: Mon – Sun 9:00am to 1:00pm
- Cost: Adult: $5
Ohana Winery and Exotic Fruits – Cellar Door
To learn even more about the exciting and undiscovered world of hand crafted cider, join a behind the scenes tour of Ohana Cider House and see how the award winning Cheeky Tiki Cider is made.
Explore every exciting step of the cider making process, from crushing and pressing fresh Stanthorpe apples to bottling and packaging on this interactive tour. Discover what makes a great Australian apple cider, and then taste the delicious results with a guided tasting.
- Where: 5 Alexandra Street, Bundaberg East
- Hours: Tues – Thurs 12:00am to 4:00pm, Fri – Sat 10:30am to 2:30pm, Mon (Closed)
- Cost: $15 1 hour tour (Friday and Sunday)
Old Pharmacy Museum
The building was the premises of local pharmacist Thomas Gaydon who arrived in Childers in 1894 to dispense medicines to a rapidly growing local population. Gaydon, an immensely talented man, was also the community photographer, dentist and anaesthetist at the local hospital.
This unique visitor attraction is overflowing with captivating pharmaceutical displays and early medicines showcasing the apparatus and dispensing methods utilised by Thomas Gaydon. The walls are lined with red cedar shelves, holding row upon row of jars and medicine bottles of different coloured and textured glass, ointments, powders and photographic equipment.
Beside Thomas Gaydon’s gold leaf bottles containing original ingredients of organic components are mortar and pestles, carboys, fine glass flasks, optician’s glasses and an antiquated dentist chair.
- Where: 90 Churchill Street, Childers
- Hours: Mon – Fri 9:00am to 3:00pm, Sat 9:00am to 1:00pm
Snakes Downunder Reptile Park
Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo is a fun and affordable day out to be enjoyed by the whole family set just 500M off the Bruce Highway, just south of Childers, displaying over 45 species and sub-species of Australian reptiles, amphibians and marsupials.
Other attractions include a fantastic snake house, a walk though vivarium housing dragons and frogs and a kangaroo reserve where the animals can be hand fed. The most recent additions to the zoo are the koalas.
- Where: 51 Lucketts Road, Childers
- Hours: Mon – Sun 9:30am to 3:00pm (Closed Every Wednesday)
- Cost: Adult: $25, Child: $15 (Prices includes the two different snake shows, crocodile show, reptile handling, koala talk, guided tours and entry into the kangaroo/emu reserve.)
Vintners Secret Vineyard
Marianne Lethbridge bought Vinters Secret Vineyard in 2009 with a desire to show the rest of the world that grapes could be grown in Childers. These days, you’ll find 2.4ha of land under vine including Marsanne, Verdelho, Shiraz and Cabernet.
- Where: 135 North Isis Road, Childers
- Hours: Wed – Sun 10:00am to 4:00pm
Things To Do in South Kolan
Mystery Craters
Scientist date these Mystery Craters to be about 25 million years old. They are made up of sandstone and ochre. They are certainly one of the weird and wonderful phenomenons of Australia’s northern state of QLD in a small suburb between Bundaberg and Gin Gin.
- Where: Bundaberg-Gin Gin Highway, South Kolan
- Hours: Currently Closed (check website for reopening date)
Want To Read More?
If you want to read more about this area, click on any of the following posts.
- YOUR GUIDE TO BUNDABERG, QUEENSLAND
- THE BEST BEACHES BUNDABERG
- CAMPING IN BUNDABERG: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
- MOTORHOME LIFE: THE ULTIMATE 1 MONTH ROAD TRIP FROM BRISBANE TO CAIRNS
Exit45 Rating
The Exit45 Rating scale runs from a low of 1 to a high of 5 in each of the 9 categories. As such, the higher the score out of 45, the better the Exit45 Rating. N.B. These scores are our own personal opinions and are based on our experiences, budget constraints and what we love doing i.e. adventure seeking foodies who love snorkeling and water related activities.
| Value for Money | 4.5 |
| Cuisine | 4 |
| Friendliness of Locals | 4.5 |
| Ease of Language Barrier | 5 |
| Climate | 4.5 |
| Activities and Tours | 5 |
| Ease of Travel | 5 |
| Culture Barrier | 5 |
| Safety | 4.5 |
| TOTAL EXIT45 RATING | 42 / 45 |
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