Make the most of these 10 free things to do in Bundaberg

Put those feet in the sand with a day spent at one of Bundaberg’s many beaches. The family-friendly Bargara Beach may well be the most popular, it’s also home to This is where you will find the famous Mon Repos turtle sanctuary. But Moore Park and Neilson are better suited to surfers.

Bundaberg Art Trail

Immerse yourself in the burgeoning local art scene with a saunter along the region’s art trail. Drop in to the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, the multi-purpose visual arts facility, home to a year-round program of exhibitions. Follow your visit with a gander at the growing collection of public murals strewn throughout town.

Cania Gorge National Park

Among Bundaberg’s populous collection of national parks is Cania Gorge. A part of Queensland’s sandstone wilderness, this region is an adventure playground for outdoors enthusiasts with scrub ranging from brigalow forest to eucalypt, cypress pine and grassland. Spend the day trawling one of eight bushwalks, keeping an eye out for rock wallabies and Indigenous artwork dating back 19,000 years.

Burrum Coast National Park

Load up your 4WD for a day spent off road at Burrum Coast National Park. A popular pastime for locals and visitors alike, the region consists of four separate sections - Woodgate, Kinkuna, Burrum River, and Buxton - with 4WD tracks winding their way through each, at varying skill levels.

Mount Walsh National Park

A gaggle of exposed granite outcrops and cliffs will greet you at Mount Walsh National Park. Climb your way to the summit, 700 metres above sea level at The Bluff Mount. Or stick to something a little less strenuous with a picnic at the landmark’s base, or a swim in the many rockpools scattered about.

The Turtle Trail

Get amongst the great outdoors with a ride along Bundaberg’s Coral Coast Pathways - better known as the Turtle Trail. The walking and cycling path links together Kelly’s Beach Bargara to Burnett Heads Harbour, winding its way along some of the Coral Coast’s most awe-inspiring scenes - the Mon Repos Turtle Rookery included.

The Hummock

Make your way to Bargara where low-lying volcanic remnant and important Indigenous site ‘the Hummock’ resides. While it may only be 96 metres above sea level, this grassy outpost is one of Bundaberg’s most beloved lookouts, offering visitors an impressive outlook onto the surrounding ocean and sugar fields. You may even spy the curling smoke of the Bundaberg Distillery and Mill.

Kalki Moon Distillery

Taste the best of Bundaberg’s produce with a visit to Kalki Moon Distillery. While Bundaberg may be best known for the rum of the same name, that’s not the only spirit specialist in these parts. Small batch brand Kalki Moon is welcoming of visitors, hosting free tours and tasting regularly to introduce newcomers to its specialty gins, vodkas, and liqueurs.

Paradise Dam

Grab the boat and your fishing rods for a day on the water at Paradise Dam. Adjoining the Burnett River, this freshwater oasis welcomes boating, skiing, tubing, sailing and swimming. It also boasts camping sites for those who want to spend the night.

Bundaberg Botanic Gardens

Make the most of the 27 hectares set aside for the picturesque Bundaberg Botanic Gardens in the city’s north. Wander your way along the central lake, through the Japanese Gardens, Chinese Gardens, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, and the Bundaberg and District Historical Museum.

Alexandra Park Zoo

A child’s idea of heaven can be found at Alexandra Park, which combines a playground and park with a zoo. Conveniently for parents, a visit to any of the three won’t cost you a penny. Let the kids run free among the large open spaces, or trawl the exhibits containing a menagerie of dingoes, monkeys, and more.