Pack your snorkel, your camera and an empty picnic basket: this region is renowned for its pristine reef waters, turtle rookery and paddock-to-plate dining.
The Bundaberg region marks the spot where the Capricorn Coast’s sugarcane belt meets the sea. Built on the rich agricultural heritage of “Bundy” city, the Bundaberg region is dotted with enchanting country towns and fringed by the breathtaking Southern Great Barrier Reef. Embark on a tasting tour of Bundaberg’s farms and distilleries or hit the beach in Bargara and say hello to the region’s underwater locals, the endangered loggerhead turtle.
Check out the local Visitor Information Centre in Bundaberg city to find out what the region has to offer during your stay. The inland city is famed for its Bundaberg Rum Distillery, which is open for tours and tastings. Check out more delicious brewed drinks and knock one of “Australia’s Big Things” off your list with a trip to Bundaberg’s Big Barrel. You can find out about the region’s aviation heritage at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation or learn about flora from near and far at the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.
Don’t miss the chance to discover the full life cycle of the Capricorn Coast’s turtles. Head to Mon Repos beach to visit an important turtle rookery and conservation park, where you can join one of the guided tours held nightly during the turtles’ breeding season. You can swim alongside the turtles during a dive tour of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
To the north, check out Lady Elliot Island or the expansive beaches fronting Bargara for sheltered swimming spots you can share with schools of iridescent fish. Hike or embark on an exciting four-wheel drive adventure around the protected coastal lowlands of Burrum Coast National Park, to the south of Bundaberg city. Here, you can discover mangrove-lined riverbanks, heathland wildflowers and tea-tree swamps.
Bundaberg’s local airport is a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Drive to Bundaberg city in 4 hours and 15 minutes from Brisbane. Visit the region in the wintertime to avoid the humidity and rains of summer or between November and March to see the turtles nesting on the pristine shores of Mon Repos.