National and international polling has closed on the best of Queensland’s Bucket List experiences and the Bundaberg region has been voted the best in Queensland, with Lady Elliot Island, the Great Barrier Reef and Bundaberg Rum taking out first, second and fourth spots respectively!
Experience Oz’s “The Top 100 things to do in Queensland before you die” list was released in February, and the world was invited to narrow the list down to the Top 10.
The announcement is the culmination of a big week for Lady Elliot Island and Bundaberg Rum, with the results following the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, which attracted enormous publicity world-wide.
#1 Swim with the Manta Ray at Lady Elliot Island
Top of everyone’s bucket list is, indisputably, Lady Elliot Island. Recently voted Australia’s Best Island, the island is the home of the manta ray, with over 700 individual rays identified in the waters. Divers can frolick with the “Labradors of the ocean” and the rest of the Great 8 at this easily accessible slice of paradise just a short flight from Bundaberg.
#2 Discover the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
Visitors the world around are discovering that great begins at Bundaberg, the southern-most access point to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. The beautiful first ladies of the reef, Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island, are major attractions for reef visitors wanting to explore pristine reef in small groups.
#4 Uncover the Secrets at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery
Australia’s favorite rum also serves Queensland’s fourth-favourite visitor attraction. The stunning Visitor Experience is winning international awards for its behind-the-scenes tours and interpretive centre, and is going from strength to strength in attracting visitors to the Bundaberg region.
Katherine Reid, Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism General Manager, said “Bundaberg is really coming into its own as a desirable holiday destination. Publicity like that generated by Experience Oz for emerging destinations such as Bundaberg is invaluable – it gives visitors the confidence that others are coming to Bundaberg and having a rich and exciting experience while they’re here.”
Duncan Littler, Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience Operations & Brand Manager, said “We are thrilled that a visit to the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery has been voted as one of the top ten things to do in Queensland. Every year more than 70,000 people visit the home of Australia’s favourite rum and after a recent refurbishment, they now also have the opportunity to participate in Australia’s only Blend Your Own Rum Experience. There is so much our region has to offer and we think all Australia’s should be putting a trip to Bundaberg on their wish lists.”
Amy Gash, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, said, “We are extremely excited that the public has voted ‘diving with manta rays on Lady Elliot Island’ as the #1 Top 10 Thing to do in Queensland! Lady Elliot Island has proven a major hotspot for manta rays in Eastern Australia. Manta rays can be found all year round here, with numbers peaking during the winter season (May-August). At Lady Elliot, these gentle giants are commonly encountered while diving popular ‘cleaning stations’ around the reef, but also offer amazing memories for snorkellers who happen to be in the water during ‘feeding frenzies’.”
To book for these Queensland Bucket List experiences, please visit www.bundabergregion.org
For more information please contact:
Katherine Reid | M: 0429 681 770 | E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
