Top Things to do in Bundaberg

Location: Hills St, Bundaberg East

The birthplace to the world famous Bundaberg Rum, the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery should be at the top of the list on any Bundaberg-centric itinerary. With a visit to the distillery, you’ll be able to peak into the world of rum distilling with a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory.

From the moment you set foot inside the distillery, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the friendly staff and tour leaders. This unique experience will show you where all the magic happens, how the rum is made and even giving you the chance to blend your own signature rum.

The perfect experience for rum-lovers and those intrigued by the entire process, this is a definite bucket-list item and a one-of-a-kind experience in the region.

There are numerous tours to choose from including The Bundaberg Rum Distillery Experience, The Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience and the Blend Your Own Rum Experience.

The Bundaberg Rum Distillery Experience is suitable for kids and is a 1-hour tour of the distillery to learn how the liquids are fermented and distilled and how the rum is aged for two years before being bottled up and sold.

From the moment you set foot inside the distillery, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the friendly staff and tour leaders. This unique experience will show you where all the magic happens, how the rum is made and even giving you the chance to blend your own signature rum.

Running every hour 7 days a week, the tour also includes two tastings from the rum range at the end of the tour.

The Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience is another tour suitable for the young ones and gives you a detailed look into an old Bondstore – a place where the rum matures – to learn about the history of the brand and its rum. A self-guided tour, adults are given two tastings of rum at the end of the experience that’s open 7 days a week from 9:30 am.

Lastly, the Blend Your Own Rum Experience is only available for adults, for obvious reasons. This will allow you to learn a technique that has been perfected in the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. You’ll spend an hour with some of the Distillery’s experts who will teach you all you need to know about blending your very own rum.

The best part about this tour is that you’ll leave at the end of the day with two uniquely blended and labelled bottles of rum for either keepsake purposes or drinking purposes. This experience is only available on select dates, so be sure to check the website for up to date availability.

The two main tours run on a daily basis, vary in price and are suitable for adults and children alike (with the exception of the Blend Your Own Rum Experience), you can book your spot online through the Bundaberg Rum Distillery website.

The Bundaberg Rum Distillery is an icon in the Bundaberg region and it’s no question as to why it topped our list. Before you leave, make sure you snap a photo with the giant rum bottle in front of the distillery.

Location: Mount Perry Road & Young Street, Bundaberg

A truly impressive celebration of the life of one of Australia’s most significant figures in aviation and a true asset to Bundaberg in general, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation brings the story and accomplishments of acclaimed aviator Bert Hinkler to life in wonderful fashion.

Housed in a modern, slick building comprised of glass and steel which stands in direct contrast to many of its historic contents, the museum is located within the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens and can be combined with the gardens, a steam train ride and museum visits for a few hours worth of natural and historic entertainment.

The attraction is home to a diverse mixture of historic artefacts and memorabilia from Hinkler’s life and era, as well as a blend of modern multimedia exhibits and even a flight simulator at which visitors can try their hand.

Bringing to life the adventures of Bert Hinkler, one of Australia’s most famous pioneers, the museum tells the story of his life and achievements through interactive displays.

There’s a high degree of interactivity to the displays here that help “make learning fun” for kids attending, highlighted by the chance to sit inside a replica model of Hinkler’s historic aircraft.

The knowledge and enthusiasm of staff at the museum goes a long way to making a visit here more enjoyable (text removed). Located adjacent to the modernity of the museum, visitors can find Hinkler’s original house replete with era-specific furnishings largely untouched from his day.

Bert Hinkler is largely unappreciated despite his international fame achieved during the years when aviators thrilled the world. His achievements as a pilot and flight innovator are a compelling and colourful part of Australia’s aviation history.

From the small fragment of his home made glider recovered from the ocean in the wake of the ill-fated space shuttle Challenger mission to the large replicas of his original aircraft, every detail of Hinkler’s extraordinary life is captured within the Hinkler Hall of Aviation. Representing great value for money given both the quality and quantity of info-tainment on offer, it's well worth a visit for all ages.

Location: 141 Mon Repos Road, Mon Repos

A popular site for nesting turtles in the Bundaberg region, the Mon Repos Conservation Centre is a must-visit attraction for animal-lovers. Giving you the chance to get up close to rehabilitating turtles at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to watching mother turtles nesting on the beach, this is the ultimate turtle experience.

Working to save injured turtles from the wild and nesting and hatchling loggerhead turtles, the staff at Mon Repos are always on hand to teach you about the animals and their habits and what we can do to help save them.

If you’re visiting the centre during the months of November and March, you’ll be given the chance to join Rangers on a guided tour of the nesting and hatching turtles. The nesting tours take place from November to January while the hatching tours happen from January to March.

This is a unique opportunity for children and adults alike to learn more about these turtles and of course the circle of life. Where else in the world can you witness this natural phenomena up close without an exorbitant price attached.

The young ones always love the tours of the nesting and hatching turtles as this is a wild habit you don’t often see on your own in the wild.

The turtle centre is open to the public on a daily basis during turtle season and on weekdays out of season. Visiting the centre is free, however, the turtle encounter is at a cost.

Location: 147 Bargara Road, Bundaberg Central

Step inside The Bundaberg Barrel’s giant barrel and get ready for a deliciously refreshing adventure. The home of some of the finest ginger beer, a visit to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks will teach you about their refreshing range and drink making process.

The True Brew Experience Tour will take you through the barrel to learn about the process, the products and the history with a few taste tests along the way. You can also sit back and enjoy the 15 minute 3D hologram adventure titled Doug’s Promised Land in the onsite theatre.

The True Brew Experience Tour will take you through the barrel to learn about the process, the products and the history with a few taste tests along the way. You can also sit back and enjoy the 15 minute 3D hologram adventure titled Doug’s Promised Land in the onsite theatre.

Now for those sought-after tastings, you can enjoy free product tastings at The Sampling Bar. With 14 yummy flavours to try, you’ll be hard-pressed deciding which flavour to try first. You’ll love tasting all of the different flavours on hand including lemon lime and bitters, sarsparilla, traditional lemonade, guava, and the traditional ginger beer.

If you’re looking to take part of the Barrel home with you then make sure you head to the gift shop before you leave. Here you’ll be able to purchase souvenirs of Bundaberg, glassware, clothing and of course, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.

Location: Apple Tree Creek Markets

Known as Australia’s fruit bowl, the Bundaberg region is renowned for its delicious fresh fruit and one of the best places to grab some for yourself is the Apple Tree Creek Markets.

Held on the second Saturday of every month (except for January) from 7 am, you can browse the various stalls for brick a brack, handmade goods and fresh fruit and vegetables.

With live entertainment, buskers, face painting and more, this is the ultimate day out that the whole family will love.

Held on the second Saturday of every month (except for January) from 7 am, you can browse the various stalls for brick a brack, handmade goods and fresh fruit and vegetables.

With live entertainment, buskers, face painting and more, this is the ultimate day out that the whole family will love. Parking is available on site for no charge and dogs are more than welcome to come along as long as they’re on a leash.

If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat at the markets, you’ll want to be early with hamburgers and coffees cooked on site and served in the canteen.

Location: Kellys Beach, Bargara

If you’re looking for somewhere to cool off or the perfect picnic spot then look no further then the Basin Rock Pool.

A hot spot for the locals and in the know tourists, the rock pool is a sheltered bay at the end of Kellys Beach.

Pack your swimming costume and beach towel as you’ll want to run right into the calm waters during the outgoing tide.

With picnic benches close to the water, you can bring your own lunch and make a day of it. It’s a beautiful spot to swim and relax all while admiring the beautiful views.

Popular for snorkelling and swimming swimmers can explore beneath the surface comfortably in this semi-protected pool.

With picnic benches close to the water, you can bring your own lunch and make a day of it. It’s a beautiful spot to swim and relax all while admiring the beautiful views.

Location:15-17 Marina Drive, Port Bundaberg

If you’re craving a good serving of fish and chips then the Bundaberg Port Marina is where you should be heading. With a number of eateries nearby you can grab your lunch or dinner and pick a spot on the marina to watch the boats come in and out of the docks.

Some of the food establishments include the Baltimore Seafood and Takeaway Shop, The Port Marina Cafe and Ocean Pacific Seafoods.

A popular weekend and afternoon spot, the marina is the main entry point for Fraser Island, the neighbouring World Heritage-Listed island paradise.

A popular weekend and afternoon spot, the marina is the main entry point for Fraser Island, the neighbouring World Heritage-Listed island paradise as well as a launch point for the nearby Lady Musgrave Island. This makes exploring the surrounding islands and all of their offerings all the more accessible with no additional travel needed.

Location: 6 Mount Perry Road, Bundaberg North

Spread over 27 hectares of land, the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens is a beautiful spot to explore when visiting the region. Home to over 100 bird species and featuring a lake and Japanese Garden, this is a great place for you to relax and unwind.

deal for picnics and exploring, the botanic gardens are usually a big hit with the young ones thanks to the Australian Sugarcane Railway that chugs around the gardens every Sunday.

A ride on the train is at a small cost (payable on the day), however, it’s well worth it to see the joy on the little ones faces as the train chugs along the tracks.

Home to over 100 bird species and featuring a lake and Japanese Garden, this is a great place for you to relax and unwind.

There are over 10,000 plant species growing in the gardens as well as a number of different native animals, making it ideal for lovers of the outdoors. The gardens are also fitted with facilities including barbeques, toilets, picnic tables as well as a playground and cafe.

The gardens are open from 5:30 am to 6:45 pm from September to April and 6:30 am to 6 pm from May to August.

Location: 59 Esplanade, Bargara

Looking over Bargara Beach, the Bargara Esplanade Turtle Playground is one of the most popular free things to do for families in the Bundaberg region.

With a turtle themed playground for the young ones to enjoy and local cafes and restaurants serving up some delicious food and on-site picnic tables, this is the ideal place for an afternoon on the waterfront.

With a turtle themed playground for the young ones to enjoy and local cafes and restaurants serving up some delicious food and on-site picnic tables, this is the ideal place for an afternoon on the waterfront.

So pack yourself a picnic and get the kids ready for a great day as the Bargara Esplanade Turtle Playground allows the kids to be entertained while the parents sit back and take in the beautiful views of the beach.

Location: 3 Mick Lutvey Street, Gayndah

Though not technically in Bundaberg, Gayndah’s Big Orange is well worth the short road trip inland. One of Australia’s iconic ‘big’ tourist attractions, The Big Orange is as the name suggests, a giant orange.

The welcoming sign as you visit Gayndah, the Big Orange is a representation of the region’s status as being the citrus capital of Queensland. Doubling as an information centre, you can stop off at The Big Orange to gather all the information you need on things to do around the region.

The big orange is a novelty and makes for a unique photo opportunity. Take your time and grab a bite to eat here.

There’s a cafe on site at the attraction so you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat and a drink during your stop over. If you’re visiting between April and October you’ll be able to sample fresh orange juice on site from the local farm.

An attraction both kids and adults will love, there’s no better place to stop for a bite to eat on your road trip around Queensland. The attraction is easily reached in just under 2 hours’ drive south-west of Bundaberg.