See the best of Bundaberg in a weekend
Itinerary
By Sarah Bristow
Step foot into sugarcane country with a weekend in Bundaberg. Sitting just four hours north of the Queensland capital, the beachside town is best recognised as the home of Australia’s most famous rum. But liquor isn’t all Bundaberg has to offer – this town is a natural beauty.
Untouched coastline and one of the state’s most famed turtle hatcheries, Mon Repos all reside here, making this region well worth the road trip. Have just the weekend to spare? We’ve condensed the region's best offerings into a 48-hour venture.
Day one
Photo by @m_p_64
Evening
After a lengthy journey from Brisbane you’ll no doubt be thirsty. Quench your thirst with a round or two at its biggest beer garden. River Feast takes place every Friday evening on the water’s edge, a gathering of food stalls and local breweries reminiscent of Brisbane's Eat Street Markets, that are hosted in the region’s former marine college.
Craving a taste of local seafood? Make your way instead to the iconic Grunske’s By The River. This much respected seafood specialist sells its wild catches from the waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef directly to the public.
Day two
Morning
Break your fast with a taste of the region’s farm fresh produce. The Windmill Café is a particular stand-out – a quirky café surrounded by lush greenery that can be found nestled into Bargara, just 15 minutes away from the town centre. This peaceful space serves up delicious breakfasts and lunches, full of local ingredients. After eating your fill, wander the shoreline of Bargara for breathtaking views.
Afternoon
During turtle season between November and March stop in at Mon Repos, where turtles can be seen nesting and hatching on the beach. Considering this spot supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern mainland it’s no surprise that Mon Repos and its much-loved education centre remains a non-negotiable for many visiting tourists. Should you happen to be visiting outside of turtle season, the beach is just as popular for swimming and sailing.
Evening
Set up camp in neighbouring NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park where you can choose to lay down your swag or splurge on the comforts of a cabin, safari tent or campervan (there are both powered and unpowered sites to choose from). Sitting in the midst of Burrum Coast National Park, this space is big on solitude and refreshingly quiet. It also boasts direct access to Woodgate Beach, a 16km stretch of pristine white sands that is a firm favourite amongst fishermen.
Day three
Photo by @likewanderlust
Morning
Back in the city centre you’ll find the region's creative hub Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery. The multi-purpose visual arts facility is a celebration of both art and culture in these parts, playing host to a rotating line-up of exhibitions, visiting artists, workshops, education programs, and kid-friendly activities throughout the year.
Expect to find a refreshingly varied array of artwork on display, that ranges from contemporary installations to exhibitions exploring the region’s indigenous culture.
Afternoon
No trip to Bundaberg is complete without a visit to the famed Bundaberg Rum Distillery and its Visitor Centre. This iconic establishment has been in business since 1888, with its much loved booze a multi-award winner. Tour the historic space from 10.00am seven days a week, where you can get up close and personal with its six 75000 litre oak vats, and rare memorabilia before crafting a personalised spirit with the Blend Your Own Rum Experience.
Not a rum fan? You may prefer to drop into The Brewhouse. The project of a group of local friends, this craft brewery is now behind an impressive 21 craft beers on tap, which boasts names like the ‘Rusty Roo’, ‘Thirsty Turtle’ and ‘Drunk Fish’.
