Are you planning a trip to Bundaberg? This article covers the best things to do in Bundaberg, including tourist attractions, activities and places to visit.
The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, and Bailai Peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Bundaberg region is situated. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
Just a 4 hour drive north of Brisbane, Bundaberg is one of those coastal towns which is great for a long weekend, a detour while heading north or even a week-long escape, as there are plenty of Bundaberg things to do.
One of the more famous Bundaberg attractions is the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. It is one of the best places to snorkel, the iconic tourist attraction. At Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliott Islands, you can explore the coral reef while swimming with brightly coloured fish, turtles and manta rays.
Other world famous things to do Bundaberg offers are seeing the turtles nest and hatch at Mon Repos beach or tasting Bundaberg Rum at the local distillery. But there are also gorgeous sandy beaches and a great farming community. In addition, you can sample fresh local produce at the blossoming food scene around town.
This guide will help you decide what things to do around Bundaberg. It covers a broad range of activities, including all the popular attractions in Bundaberg, the best places to visit in Bundaberg as well as all the essential information such as locations, opening hours and ticket prices where necessary.
So let’s get into it and help you discover the best Bundaberg tourist attractions and other places in the region.
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- BUNDABERG THINGS TO DO MAP
- BEST THINGS TO DO IN BUNDABERG
- 1 Mon Repos Turtles
- 2 Bundaberg Rum Distillery Tour
- 3 Bundaberg Rum Museum
- 4 Explore Bundaberg’s beaches
- 5 Bundaberg Ginger Beer Factory Tour
- 6 Bundaberg Botanic Gardens
- 7 Fairymead House Sugar Museum
- 8 Hinkler Hall of Aviation
- 9 Hummock Lookout
- 10 Baldwin Swamp Environment Park
- 11 Alexandra Park Zoo
- 12 River cruise
- 13 Bundaberg Railway Museum
- 14 Foodie trails
- 15 Amandine Lavender Farm
- 16 Splitter’s Farm
- 17 Kalki Moon Distilling Company
- 18 Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
- 19 Great Barrier Reef and Lady Musgrave Island Day Tour
- 20 Go whale watching
- BEST HOTELS IN BUNDABERG
- ENJOY BUNDABERG!
BUNDABERG THINGS TO DO MAP
Before we look at all the things to see in Bundaberg, to help you plan your itinerary, check out the map below. This map shows the location of all the Bundaberg places to visit covered in this guide.
I recommend you first make a list of your Bundaberg must do and then use this map to plan your day to day itinerary so you’re not travelling back and forth all over town.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN BUNDABERG
Below we cover the top places to visit and top things to do in Bundaberg.
1 Mon Repos Turtles
Image credit thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland
Mon Repos is one of the most popular places to visit near Bundaberg because of the large population of nesting sea turtles that call the area home.
From November to March, visitors can join one of the night-time turtle encounters where you see the turtles crawling up the beach to lay and bury their eggs (generally in November and December) or the baby turtles emerging from the eggs and heading into the ocean (from January to March).
Getting up this close to the turtles is very rare, which makes the experience so special.
To protect the turtles and their habitat, you can’t visit during the day or alone, only during night tours when the expert Park Rangers are on hand.
Bookings can be made through the Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre.
Location: Mon Repos Turtle Centre in Mon Repos Conservation Park, Bargara Road
Opening Hours: Tours run at 6:30 pm daily from November to March
Cost: $29.30 per adult | $15.10 per child (5-14) | children under 5 are free
2 Bundaberg Rum Distillery Tour
Image credit thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland
When Australians hear Bundaberg, we tend to think of either rum or ginger beer – the city’s two most famous products. So while in town you don’t want to miss the chance to try them.
Bundaberg rum started in the 1800s as a way to use all of the sugar being produced in the region and has grown to be one of the biggest brands in the country.
At the distillery, you can take a behind the scenes tour to learn how this liquid gold is distilled and bottled and of course, try some of the end product.
While there, you can try some of Bundaberg’s rum products, including delicious fudge, and check out the exclusive distillery-only lines.
Location: Hill Street, Bundaberg East
Opening Hours: Tours run on the hour from 10 am to 3 pm weekdays and 10 am to 2 pm on weekends
Cost: $30 per person | $15 per child | Family Pass (2A+3C) $75- click here to book tickets online
3 Bundaberg Rum Museum
If you’re more interested in the Bundaberg story and the history of rum in Queensland than the actual tastings, then the Rum Museum is one of the Bundaberg attractions for you.
When visiting the museum, you can learn about the iconic ‘Bundy Bear’ mascot and explore interactive exhibits, including one designed by National Geographic.
What makes the museum especially unique is that most exhibits are housed inside 70,000 litre rum vats, making you feel like you’re really inside the rum-making process as you wander through.
Museum tickets include 2 samples of rum – for adult visitors only.
Location: Hills Street, Bundaberg East
Opening Hours: 9.30 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday | 9.30 am to 1 pm Weekend
Cost: $20 per adult | $10 per child | Family pass (2A+3C) $50
4 Explore Bundaberg’s beaches
Bundaberg is surrounded by many beautiful beaches and a visit to them is among the top things to see and do in Bundaberg.
Here’s our pick of some of the best spots to spend a beach day near Bundaberg:
Bargara Beach – Bargara Beach is a 5 km stretch of coast made up of several smaller beaches, including Neilsons Beach, Turtle Park Beach, Boat Ramp Beach, the Basin, Kelly’s Beach, Money’s Creek and Archies Beach. Bargara is only 13 kilometres outside central Bundaberg, with plenty of nearby accommodation and dining options. The area is quiet and peaceful and has a lovely small town coastal feel.
Woodgate Beach – Woodgate Beach is a more secluded option with 16 kilometres of white sandy beach with calm waters due to being protected by Fraser Island. Woodgate Beach is also popular for fishing and whale watching.
Elliott Heads – Situated at the river mouth, Elliott Heads has calm water and surf swimming available. The beaches are patrolled, the sand is white, and there are rock pools for exploring. The beach is popular for water sports such as kayaking, stand up paddleboards, kite surfing, sailboarding, jet skiing, and fishing.
5 Bundaberg Ginger Beer Factory Tour
For the non-rum drinkers and the kids, there’s an alternative factory tour option for you at the Bundaberg Ginger Beer Factory.
This is a super interactive experience and one of the most fun things to do near Bundaberg. You get to try every one of the extensive list of flavours from Guava to Sarsaparilla and test your nose by playing ‘guess the flavour’ on their custom smellography wall. You can even take home a 6 pack of your favourite flavours (included in the ticket price).
There are also video exhibits showing how the range of drinks are brewed and options to browse the Bundaberg merchandise in the gift store after your tour.
Location: 147 Bargara Rd, Bundaberg East
Opening Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Saturday |10 am to 3 pm Sundays
Cost: $20 per adult | $7 per child- click here to book tickets online
6 Bundaberg Botanic Gardens
One of the things to do in Bundaberg for free is a trip to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. These gardens take up a massive 27+ hectares of space and house over 10,000 plant species and 100 species of birds.
The gardens include several themed gardens, unique plant collections, walkways and a lake, making it a great place to spend a relaxing few hours outdoors. You can enjoy a picnic lunch or let the kids run around.
Two more Bundaberg attractions, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation and the Fairymead House and Sugar History Museum, are also located inside the grounds of the Botanic Gardens, making it easy to fill in a half or even full day here.
If you’re visiting with kids, it’s worth trying to go on a Sunday, as the Australian Sugarcane Railway conducts train rides throughout the gardens.
Location: 6 Mount Perry Road, Bundaberg
Opening Hours: 5:30 am to 6:45 pm daily from Sept to April | 6.30 am to 6 pm daily from May to August
Cost: Free
7 Fairymead House Sugar Museum
For sweet tooths, the Fairymead Sugar Museum is a must do Bundaberg activity for you.
The Museum can be found in the middle of the Botanic Gardens, housed in a giant plantation house from the 1800s, showing you what life was like for those in the sugar cane industry back in the day.
At the museum, you can learn about the process of making everyone’s favourite sweet ingredient, converting it from sugar cane to the granular form we buy in supermarkets today.
Location: In the Botanical Gardens – Thornhill Street, Bundaberg North
Opening Hours: 10 am to 12 pm Sunday to Friday
Cost: $10 per adult | $6 per child (4-17) | Family Pass (2A+2C) $26
8 Hinkler Hall of Aviation
Bert Hinkler was a local Bundaberg man and one of the early pioneers of aviation, undertaking the first solo flight from England to Australia. You can learn about his record-making flights at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, located inside the Botanic Gardens.
The museum celebrates the life and achievements of Bert Hinkler, displaying artifacts from the early aviation era, including glide simulators, flight simulators, the replica Arvo Bay aircraft, interactive computer screens, and short documentaries.
Just outside the museum, you can visit Hinkler’s home. The home was relocated from Southampton in 1983 and restored to the museum it is today.
Location: Bundaberg Botanic Gardens – Mount Perry Road
Opening Hours: Daily from 9 am to 3 pm
Cost: $24 per adult | $15 per child (ages 4-17 years). Family passes are available for $67
9 Hummock Lookout
If you want to familiarise yourself with the Bundaberg area quickly, there’s no better way than heading up to Hummock Lookout, where you’ll find 360-degree views across the region.
While this hill is only 96 m above sea level, you can see out to the ocean, the sugar fields and the smoke stacks of the Bundaberg Rum Distillery.
Hummock was known as ‘burning mountain’ to the area’s indigenous people. While the only burning you’ll see now is the beautiful red sunsets, an Aboriginal art mural is placed on the hill to recognise local history.
Location: Hummock Road, Qunaba
Cost: Free
10 Baldwin Swamp Environment Park
Image credit thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland
Baldwin Swamp is an urban wetland in the heart of Bundaberg. Whether you’re interested in spotting local wildlife or simply want somewhere nice for a walk, it’s an interesting place to explore.
There are plenty of walking trails, boardwalks and bridges through the wetlands, and picnic areas where you can enjoy lunch in the peaceful surroundings – just remember to bring mosquito repellant!
More than 150 bird species live in the wetlands and insects and small mammals such as bandicoots and echidnas.
The park is easily accessible, within walking distance of the CBD, and there is no charge for entry, so a visit to the wetlands is definitely one of the best free things to do around Bundaberg.
Location: Enter the park via Princess, George, Totten, Steindl and Scotland Streets.
Cost: Free
11 Alexandra Park Zoo
If you’re after free things to do in Bundaberg or things to do in Bundaberg for kids, then Alexandra Park Zoo should be on your list.
Although small, the Alexandra Park Zoo has several animals, including emus, dingoes, wallabies, reptiles and Tamarin monkeys from South America. These super cute tamarin monkeys are an endangered species that the zoo is working to protect through the Australasian Species Management Program.
As well as the zoo, Alexandra Park has a playground and large open space for kids to run around and is connected to the Burnett River Boardwalk.
Location: Quay Street
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Cost: Free
12 River cruise
Since Bundaberg is built along the Burnett River, getting out on the water is one of the best ways to see the city, not to mention one of the most relaxing activities in Bundaberg.
The Bundy Belle is a restored classic ferry that runs 2.5-hour cruises down the Burnett River daily. As you chug down the river, you will see the trawlers unloading their haul at the seafood processing plants; yachts moored at the Bundaberg Marina and the local sites of the mangroves, farmland, Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Bulk Sugar Terminal.
The cruise includes commentary about the river’s history and morning or afternoon tea, depending on the departure time.
There is also a seafood restaurant at the wharf if you’re looking for something more substantive
Location: Grunske’s by the River, 2/11 E Petersen Street
Opening Hours: Cruises depart most days during the week – check directly for more information
Cost: $37.50 per adult | $15 per child (5-16) | Under 5s are free
13 Bundaberg Railway Museum
When it comes to things to do in Bundaberg with kids, particularly train lovers, the railway museum is a great place to visit.
The Bundaberg Railway Museum houses a wide range of railway items going back nearly 150 years. Items on display include photographs, uniforms, engine driver manuals, locomotive tools and even a 1921 guard’s van and butter car insulated with cow’s hair.
The museum is inside Bundaberg’s historic first railway station, built in 1881 and used to bring copper from Queensland mines. It’s a good refuge if you need something on a rainy day in Bundaberg.
Location: 28 Station Street, North Bundaberg
Opening Hours: 9 am to 2.30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Cost: $6 per adult | $3 per child (4-15) Family Pass $15
14 Foodie trails
Bundaberg has embraced the eat local concept with many artisan producers in the area selling everything from rum to macadamias. The best way to experience Bundaberg’s foodie side, and one of the most fun things to do in Bundaberg, is doing one or more of the six foodie trails designed by the local tourism board.
These are self-drive routes where you meander from food stall to farm to café, trying many local goods. The length of the trails differs from a few hours to a full day.
Go in summer to make the most of the local fruit produce, including berries and mangos.
Click here to find the trail maps.
15 Amandine Lavender Farm
You can’t beat Amandine Lavender farm in Bargara for a taste of Provence in Bundaberg. The farm has rows upon rows of purple lavender bushes, which you can explore, and a gift shop selling all things lavender.
You can even try lavender-infused ice cream.
You can’t go past a photo in the lavender fields for top Bundaberg Instagram content and the lavender products make great gifts for friends and family back home.
Location: 288 Seaview Road, Bargara
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: Free
16 Splitter’s Farm
Image credit thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland
Part working farm, part glamping site and part animal protection program, Splitters Farm is a gorgeous 160 acre property on the outskirts of Bundaberg, along the banks of Splitter’s Creek.
At the farm, you can get up close to the animals, including camels, peacocks, horses, goats and alpacas, many of whom have been rescued from abuse or floods.
There are guided farm tours on weekends, or you can explore the property at your own pace. Activities on the property include kayaking, paddle boats, go karts and nature walks.
You can even camp out in one of their tents or retro campervans.
Location: 205 Blairs Road, Sharon
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 am to 3 pm
Cost: $22 per adult | $16 per child with additional costs per activity – click here to buy your entry pass online or here to book a private farm tour
17 Kalki Moon Distilling Company
Rum isn’t the be all and end all of the distilling industry in Bundaberg. In fact, if you visit Kalki Moon Distillery, you’ll have the chance to try local artisan gin, vodka and much more.
This family run operation makes a wide range of drinks using lots of local produce like lemons, molasses and cinnamon myrtle, all of which you can try at the cellar door, either neat or made into delicious cocktails.
You can also opt to go on a 1.5 hour distillery tour to get behind the scenes of the operation and learn what it takes to get from the field to the bottle.
Visit on a weekday to see the distillery at work. It’s one of the best places to go in Bundaberg for a lazy afternoon.
Location: 22 Commercial Street, Svensson Heights
Opening Hours: 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday | 10 am to 4 pm Saturdays | 10 am to 3 pm Sundays
Cost: Tours cost $15 per person and are daily 11 am and 1 pm
18 Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Visiting the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery is a great way to see Bundaberg’s artistic side and even see examples of local Aboriginal art styles.
The visual art gallery showcases national and touring exhibits alongside local Queensland artists. From time to time, there are artist talks and workshops as well.
Location: 1 Barolin St, Corner Quay St, Bundaberg
Hours: 9:30 to 5 pm Monday to Friday | 10 am to 2 pm Weekends
Cost: Free
19 Great Barrier Reef and Lady Musgrave Island Day Tour
Since Bundaberg is on the edge of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, a trip to the world famous coral reef is one of the essential things to do in Bundaberg area.
The best way to experience the Southern Great Barrier Reef is via Lady Musgrave Island, a stunning island off Bundaberg that can be explored on a day trip. Lady Musgrave Island is a stunning location, surrounded by a coral reef that creates a gorgeous calm water lagoon.
From Lady Musgrave Island, you can see whales, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, over 1200 fish species, and hard and soft corals.
On a Bundaberg reef tour to the island, you can snorkel or scuba dive and see the coral reef from the comfort of a glass-bottomed boat as well as larger marine life.
A delicious buffet lunch made with local Bundaberg produce is included.
Location: Tours depart from the Bundaberg Port Marina
Hours: Tours depart at 7.15 am and return around 5.15 pm
Cost: $270 per adult | $190.50 per child (4-14) | $33 per infant (0-4) | Family Pass $(2A+2C) $710 – Click here to book your tour online
20 Go whale watching
If you’re anywhere on Australia’s East Coast from July to October, heading out on a whale-watching tour to see the annual whale migration is a must-do. With its prime location at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Bundaberg is one of the best spots for this activity.
Few things are more majestic or memorable than seeing humpback whales leaping out of the water, especially when you can experience a pod at play.
Tours are run on luxury vessels with lunch included so that you can enjoy this phenomenon comfortably.
Location: Burnett Heads Marina
Opening Hours: Tours run daily from July to October, subject to weather
Cost: $132 per person for a combined Barrier Reef and Whale watching day tour
BEST HOTELS IN BUNDABERG
Looking for somewhere to stay in Bundaberg? We recommend booking through Booking.com as they offer a wide range of hotels and most with free cancellation, which is ideal for last-minute changes.
However, if you want our hotel recommendations, we’ve listed our top pick forfdba luxury hotel, family hotel, mid range and budget hotel.
Best Luxury Hotel: Manta Bargara
In a prime position overlooking Bargara Beach, the Manta is perfect for those after a relaxed, beachy vibe with all the luxury amenities. As well as being spoilt for choice with the resort’s facilities, you’re within an easy walk to all Bargara’s shops and dining options and a quick 15 minute drive into central Bundaberg.
The Manta offers resort style facilities, including a gym, spa, pool and tennis court, so there are plenty of ways to kick back if you need a rest after squeezing in all the things to do in the Bundaberg region.
Accommodation is apartment style with a range of 1 to 3 bedrooms. Each apartment has a kitchen and laundry, so you are fully self-contained and can choose to eat in or out as suits.
Click here for more information or to book
Best Family Hotel: Kelly’s Beach Resort
The gorgeous Kelly’s Beach Resort is the best place to stay for families in the Bundaberg area. Located in Bargara, just a 2 minute walk to the main swimming beach, the resort is perfect for a family gateway.
Accommodation at Kelly’s Beach is two bedroom self contained villas that are stand alone for additional privacy. Each villa can sleep up to 6 people across two levels and has air conditioning, a kitchen, a lounge and a deck with outdoor seating.
Sprawled across the 5 acre property, you’ll find plenty to keep the kids busy. There are a couple of pools, including a kid’s wading pool, plus a spa for the adults and the pool is even heated during the winter months. There’s also a games room and special activities for the kids during the school holidays, like free face painting, movies and laser skirmish.
Other on-site facilities include a tennis court, snorkel and boogie board hire, a kiosk for basic supplies, several BBQ areas for a relaxed family dinner or an onsite restaurant for when you don’t want to cook. Plus, there is plenty of garden space to be explored – you can even spot local wildlife like bearded dragons.
The resort is a little isolated – with little within walking distance. However, it’s a quick drive to most places around town.
Click here for more information or to book
Best Mid Range Hotel: Sugar Country Motor Inn
Located in a central part of Bundaberg, just a short walk to the centre of town – the Sugar Country Motor Inn is an excellent choice for those who prefer to stay close to all Bundaberg attractions.
The property offers motel style rooms with either one or two double beds. There is even a family room with a double and two single beds. Rooms come with air conditioning, a mini refrigerator, microwave, TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
In terms of the facilities, you have a lovely swimming pool to make use of and there is a restaurant and bar too.
Click here for more information or to book
Best Budget Hotel: Riviera Motel Bundaberg
As well as being affordable, the Riviera Motel has the advantage of being located in the heart of the Bundaberg CBD, making it easy to explore many Bundaberg attractions on foot or even by the local buses.
The Riviera Motel property offers a range of room configurations suitable for a couple or even large families, with a three bedroom villa able to sleep seven people on site. All rooms come with air conditioning, a mini refrigerator, microwave, TV and tea and coffee making facilities, while the villa is fully self contained.
The motel also has a decent size swimming pool.
Click here for more information or to book
ENJOY BUNDABERG!
Hopefully, this guide has given you lots of inspiration on things to do in Bundaberg.
If you’re planning a trip to Bundaberg, I highly recommend you check out our guide to Bundaberg and Surrounds, which provides links to everything you need to know to plan your trip.
I’d also recommend you join our free Queensland Travel Guide Facebook community, where you can ask all your questions and find even more great trip suggestions.