BUNDABERG....QLD

Often on my travels I have a perception of a destination where I’m off to next, but after visiting Bundaberg in north QLD I think I will always have an open mind. Rolling in to town , I wasn’t expecting much more than visiting the iconic Bundaberg Rum factory, seeing a few cowboy Utes and maybe plenty of holiday makers. Boy was I wrong. It’s about a 40 minute drive off the main highway to get to Bundy ( as the locals call it ) but well worth the drive as you pass through cane fields, market gardens mixed in with acres of bushland. 

Bundaberg is now known as a vibrant Queensland country town, yet with all modern day city facilities on the banks of the Burnett River. Dating back to 1847 when John Burnett surveyed the area it was soon settled in years to come when pastellists’ bought their cattle and sheep to the area. Over the coming years Bundy had a rough chequered past with a large massacre and complicated land sales and it wasn’t until 1870 when an area was surveyed on the southern side of the Burnett River, plans made and thus the name Bundaberg was declared a town. 

These days the city is a major cane grower and relies heavily on tourism throughout the region. Being an old river town there is an array of heritage buildings along the river bank and in the main street. Bundaberg also lays fame to being at the southern end of the great barrier reef where it tucks into Fraser Island so the marine life, water activities and the way of life is nothing short of impeccable. Having some 70,000 residents in the area Bundy is a huge place and the city limits extend all the way to the coast where in my mind these little coastal towns give the true feeling of north Queensland. 

During winter the caravans and camping areas swell as the southerners converge on the area seeking warmer weather both day and night. Chatting to other holiday makers in the caravan park, some have been making the pilgrimage to the area for over a decade and book up to a year in advance. Don’t get me wrong there is a plethora of things to do in town and of course two of the iconic places to go is the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Bundaberg Soft drink facility ( aka The Big Barrel ). Here the tours lead you through how the drinks are made from start to finish, with a history lesson thrown in, and then there’s a little taste testing plus you get to take a few samples home, maybe spend time at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation or maybe explore the beautiful botanical gardens in the heart of town. Fresh is best at Bundy where cafes and restaurants use locally grown produce on a daily basis to give you a true mouth watering experience.

Bundaberg is about 10 km off the coast so by heading to one of the many little coastal hamlets you’ll def feel the stress ease away after settling in. There are 8 gems between Elliott Heads and Moore Park yet each hold their own personality. The landscape around Bundy towards the coast is all bar flat except for one little knob, called Hummock Lookout, and at only 90 metres above sea level you can see for miles. Rumour goes this knob is the result of an extinct volcano and was named back in 1799 by Matthew Flinders when he sailed past. But little did he know, that the local Taribelang Aboriginal people were already farming this area below the Hummock’s rich soil for crops. 

Along the shore line there are miles of black volcanic rock but the bonus with this is that years ago Kanaka people ( south sea islanders ) worked in the area and they made sea walls and safe pools where they could swim and be safe from any thing that bites from the ocean. The beaches tucked within the sea walls are made from pure sand and tiny shells that have been washed ashore from deep in the ocean. These towns that include Bargara, Moore Park, Coral Cove, Elliot Heads are family friendly with parks, bike ways, and boutique coffee shops. For the fitter folk or those who want a day away from technology, why not hire a bike and take the 9km ( one way ) ride along the linking coastal pathways - but don’t worry there are plenty of shady spots, beaches or cafes along the way to cool down, all part of the Queensland way.

On the north side, Mon Repos is renown for where the endangered Loggerhead sea turtles come to lay their precious eggs. Around November each year they come ashore and spend hours digging and then finally laying dozens of eggs. During Jan-March visitors can take a pre arranged night tour and watch the tiny turtles crack open the eggs, dig their way out of the sand and paddle their little hearts out to the waters edge, but, only 1 in 1000 survive the elements. Mon Repo is at the forefront of Turtle conservation in the area and they take massive steps to protect the eggs - from fox baiting, closing the beach at night and even having visitors help relocate the eggs to higher ground if in danger with high seas. 

Bundaberg is surrounded by none less than 4 National Parks and beaches galore where you can go into low range and get off the grid for a day or more - just make sure you get the right permit. Dont just think 4wding in these parks because between hiking and mountain bike trails, remote fishing spots down to some epic winding hill climbs you’ll def need to lower your tyres for some great offroad experience. 

Speaking of fishing there’s a maze of creeks that feed off the Burnett River where you can drop a line or maybe a crab pot or two, countless miles of open beaches to fish and then there’s some of the best offshore fishing around with countless reefs, bombies and sheltered coves to hook the big one. Baffle Creek is the furthest point north and this is the perfect spot to drop a kayak or SUP into the water for a quiet day on the water exploring mangrove inlets or a sneaky fish. At 20 km long, Moore Park is the main beach of the area which has sections where dogs are allowed and patrolled in the summer. 

With the Great Barrier Reef at its doorstep ( a quick 20 min flight to some of the outer islands ) the plankton filled water around the area is warm, pure crystal clear and alive with sea creatures from stingrays, an array of fish plus if your very lucky Dugongs frequent the area. So there you have it, don’t ever presume what a town can hold until you spend time exploring the area, chatting to the locals and leaving your inabitions at camp. I know I will be back to explore Bundaberg’s inner and natural beauty.